Names Hill

State Historic Site

DATES OPEN:Year round, weather permitting

HOURS: Daylight hours (for viewing); grounds open 24 hours

FACILITIES: None

ADMISSION: No fee

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE: Yes

LOCATION: Six miles south of LaBarge on U.S. Highway 189

Names Hill

After crossing the nearby Green River, many pioneers traveling west on the Overland Trails left their marks in the limestone of Names Hill. The most remarked upon (and most controversial) inscription is that of the famous Jim Bridger, which reads “James Bridger, Trapper, 1844.” While Jim Bridger likely passed by Names Hill several times, some question his signature since Bridger was publicly illiterate. Names Hill also contains the earliest known pioneer inscription in Wyoming, which dates to 1822, along with Native American petroglyphs. One petroglyph depicts several human figures along with two horses and 43 rifles. Make Names Hill a stop on your travels through southwest Wyoming and be sure to see Fort Bridger and the Piedmont Charcoal Kilns, both of which are within easy driving distance, to make your tour complete.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

ON THE WEB:
http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/Monuments/NamesHill/index.asp
http://wyomingtalesandtrails.com/cokeville.html

AT THE LIBRARY:
Wagons West: The Epic Story of America’s Overland Trails, by Frank
McLynn (Grove Press, 2004). Contains general information on the Overland Trails

Protect Our Heritage!
Help preserve the history embedded in Names Hill. Do not carve your own inscription into the rock or damage the historic inscriptions and petroglyphs.

To report vandalism, call:

Fort Bridger Office
307-782-3842