1. DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Each November, as part of the Death Valley ’49ers Encampment, the nonprofit Equestrian Trails, Inc. leads a trail ride (and a separate wagon train event) open to 75 riders along the historic 20-Mule Team Trail between Ridgecrest, Calif., and Furnace Creek. The ride covers 125 miles in six days. 909-595-9548, etinational.com/DeathValleyRide.html
2. FEARFUL CROSSING, NEVADA
Each year after Labor Day, the Fearful Crossing Desert Wagon Train traverses Forty Mile Desert from Lovelock to Fallon on the Old California Trail. The ride covers 70 miles in three and a half days. 775-867-2147 or 775-741-5125, fearfulcrossing.com
3. PENDLETON ROUNDUP WAGON TRAIN, OREGON
During the last full week in June, the Pendleton Roundup Wagon Train travels routes through the Blue Mountains passing along parts of the Oregon Trail. The train brings together 12 to 20 wagons and up to 130 riders and covers 12–14 miles a day. 541-377-0833, pendletonroundupwagontrain.com
4. CULBERTSON SADDLE CLUB RIDE, MONTANA
Each September, the Culbertson Saddle Club hosts its Labor Day Wagon Train/Trail Ride, now in its 44th year. Some 20–30 wagons and as many as 400 riders participate and come from all corners for this two-day ride in Northeast Montana. 406-790-0600, culbertsonmt.com
5. TEXAS STAR TRAIL, FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS
This annual week-long wagon ride in March draws 300 people and travels 112 miles through the state’s picturesque Hill Country, utilizing pioneer paths and stringing through 20 ranches, including the LBJ Ranch. This route is more citified than the others listed. 512-791-2503 or 830-875-6121, texasstartrail.com
6. WYATT EARP’S VENDETTA RIDE, TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA
Great American Adventures hosts this ride in mid Oct. and traces Earp’s “bloody trail of retribution” to avenge his brothers’ killing and crippling injuries. Ride through the Chiricahua, Dragoon, and Whetstone mountains to the sites where Wyatt and his posse caught up with the bad guys. 505-286-4585 great-american-adventures.com