Guernsey Ruts — Attraction in Guernsey

This is a legendery site on the Oregon Trail and it was fun to see how the wagons, traveling single file, made deep ruts into the rock as they attempted to cross the ridge. I had a little trouble finding the site, but that may be my fault. Google maps directed me to the turnoff for the Oregon Trail Ruts Historic sites. Similar to Windlass Hill in Nebraska, I pulled into the parking lot near the sign which said "Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic site" and took a very long walk (1/2 mile round trip) on a concrete path with benches and waste cans, it appeared to be a well maintained walking trail. I kept thinking I was going to see the ruts at any moment. When I finally reached a dirt road and no ruts (although a nice historic Oregon trail grave was nearby), I walked back to my car. I could see then that the sign pointed down a narrow gravel road to the historic site not to the parking lot. I drove down the gravel road 1/4 mile, turned left on a bigger dirt road and turned left again into the historic ruts site parking lot. It is a bit of a climb to the ruts, but well worth it. I am including a photo of the walking trail that will eventually take you to the historic ruts if you want a very long walk, but driving your car to the site...

This is the second time I've been. I was on my way to Montana, and I love going through Nebraska to get there, so I decided to make this little stop and show my husband. The awe that comes with realizing how many wagons, oxen, and people it took, to wear these ruts into the sandstone, is palpable, when you see them. The walk starts in the parking lot, going up a steady incline, (bonus! It's wheelchair accessible!), with interesting story points along the route. At the top, you see the ruts in the rocks, and swales through the dirt, and the view is breathtaking! (Even at dusk, it is amazing, and i'm so glad we didn't skip it simply because it was getting dark!) The route goes in a loop, so that you come back to the parking lot. FYI, the grade up is steeper than the way down, so if you have a wheelchair, or problems breathing or walking, you can take the right hand side of the loop, as it isn't as steep, and much easier to navigate than the left side...

This is a really wonderful spot to stop and feel like you have gone back in time. It’s amazing that you are still able to see these spots where the wagons went through on the Oregon Trail. It’s nice that this is a free place to visit so everyone can enjoy the history.

From the main road you turn off onto a gravel road for a short distance to reach the parking area. The parking area is also gravel with the exception of a couple of handicapped spots that are paved. There was a picnic table or two under a pavilion cover, vault toilets that were clean. The path to see the ruts is completely paved and is in a circle, one side that goes uphill is stairs and the other is a ramp so can be accessed with a wheelchair...