California Trail Back Country Byway

The California Trail Back Country Byway is a 96-mile Type I route in northern Elko County that parallels part of the California National Historic Trail. More than 250,000 emigrants traveled west along the California Trail during the mid-1800s, and visitors can still see wagon ruts and follow portions of the route used by those travelers. The byway also traces part of the historic Magic City Freight Line, which connected Toano, Nevada, with Magic City, now Twin Falls, Idaho. Broad sagebrush valleys, juniper-covered mountain ranges, springs, streams, and large areas of undeveloped public land provide a sense of the isolation experienced by early travelers. Opportunities include primitive camping, hiking, horseback riding, rockhounding, photography, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting. Although the route is designated Type I, current field information identifies rough road conditions and missing directional signs. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and the route should be avoided during wet or snowy conditions. Allow at least 3 hours.