NORTH PLATTE, Neb - The thunder of hooves and history returns to Nebraska this month as the 2025 Pony Express National Re-Ride makes its way across the state June 18–20, retracing one of the most storied mail routes in American history.
The annual 1,966-mile reenactment began in St. Joseph, Missouri, and will continue around the clock until reaching Sacramento, California. Riders carry a mochila—an iconic leather mail pouch—on horseback across eight states, passing through historic towns and landmarks just as riders did in 1860 and 1861.
In Nebraska, the ride kicks off Wednesday, June 18, at Lyman with a ceremonial handoff from Wyoming. Riders will gallop through key heritage stops including Scottsbluff National Monument, Chimney Rock, and on into central Nebraska.
Locally, the route will include events in Ogallala at Tri-Trails Park around 8:30 a.m. on June 19, celebrating the area's rich pioneer legacy tied to the Pony Express, Oregon Trail, and Texas Trail. Later, the riders will pass near North Platte and that evening, riders will pass south of Gothenburg near Midway Ranch—an important nighttime relay stop—and continue eastward toward Fort Kearny.
The original Pony Express operated only briefly—from April 1860 to October 1861—but its impact was lasting. Riders braved the elements to carry mail between Missouri and California in just 10 days, bridging vast distances before the transcontinental telegraph.
For communities like North Platte, once a vital hub on the Overland Trail and later the Union Pacific Railroad, the Pony Express symbolizes both frontier resilience and the foundations of modern communication.
This year’s ride offers a living history experience and a moment to honor the grit and courage of the young riders who helped shape the American West.