Ash Hollow State Historical Park

Ash Hollow State Historical Park is an archaeological site and park in Garden County featuring thousands of acres with juniper-covered bluffs and deep ravines. The grounds include a cave, hiking trails, a visitor center, and clearly visible wagon ruts etched into the ground.

The area served as a critical stopping point along the Oregon Trail where 19th-century travelers gathered water from a natural spring. The passage of thousands of pioneers across this land left lasting marks on the landscape.

The cave at this site shows evidence of shelter use by different Native American peoples across many centuries. Visitors walking through the archaeological areas can see where these early inhabitants lived and spent time.

The park is easiest to explore using well-marked trails that accommodate different fitness levels. The visitor center helps with navigation and provides information about what to see across the grounds.

At the park entrance along the main road, visitors and locals hang worn cowboy boots on fence posts as a curious local tradition. This makeshift display grows over time and often surprises those passing through.

Location: Garden County

GPS coordinates: 41.29806,-102.12000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:58