Built in 1858 as the first federally funded and deliberately constructed trail, the 256-mile Lander Trail was initially created for the purpose of moving military troops to the Pacific Coast for protection of those areas. The Lander cut-off left the Oregon Trail at South Pass before rejoining it in Idaho at Salt Springs.
Though the Lander Trail was not heavily used due to timing (it was built as western emigration by wagon train was dwindling), wagon ruts, tree carvings and historical markers can still be seen along the historic trail. Visitors to the Pinedale area can even join weeklong covered wagon trains that follow the cut-off route.