Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
California, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona
Free entry
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.
No entrance fee.
Hours
The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead, it is a corridor that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operation and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.
Conditions
Weather now: ☀️ Clear, 97°F
⛅ 105°/70°
☁️ 107°/72°
☁️ 104°/79°
Visitor centers
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
Not an official safety source — always defer to NPS.gov and rangers for life-safety decisions.
How Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail connects
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