South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway

South Platte River Trail
Scenic and Historic Byway
South Platte River Trail; Scenic and Historic Byway
Route information
	Maintained by CDOT
Length	19 mi (31 km)
Existed	1991–present
Major junctions
East end	US 138 / US 385 Julesburg
West end	US 138 Ovid
Location
Country	United States
State	Colorado
Counties	Sedgwick County
Highway system
	Colorado State Highway System; Interstate; US; State; Scenic;

The South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a 19-mile (31 km) Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Sedgwick County, Colorado, USA. The byway follows the historic trails used during westward expansion. The route, which includes County Road 28 (CR 28) and U.S. Highway 138 (US 138), connects Ovid and Julesburg and encircles the South Platte River. It was designated a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway in 1991.^[3]

Route

Anton Schonborn, Fort Sedgwick, 1870

There is a trailhead for the byway at the Colorado Welcome Center at Julesburg. Informative placards are found throughout the route to provide additional insight into the area's storied history. Area historic sites, three of which are on the route, include the 19th century Fort Sedgwick, the state's only Pony Express home station, Telegraph Line, and Transcontinental railroad.^[3] Other historic sites include the Italian Caves, Devil's Dive, Upper California Crossing, a former Prisoner-of-war camp in Ovid, and the Julesburg Drag Racing Strip.^[3] Along the route, informative placards provide information about Fort Sedgwick, the Pony Express, and the Transcontinental Railroad.^[4]