Colorado State Line to Chugwater
Google Maps: Turn on "Avoid Highways"
If you have a smartphone with Google Maps, you can set your destination to Chugwater, Wyoming for the first leg of the trip. Then tap the three dots in the top right and select "route options". From here you can toggle on "Avoid Highways". The map should redirect you to take all of the original route of US-87 to Chugwater.
MAIN ROUTE - Turn by Turn Directions: 1950's Route
Heading Northbound, take Exit-2 just after the Welcome to Wyoming sign. At the bottom of the ramp, take a right and come to a stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign to turn onto Historic US-87 also known as WY-223 and Terry Ranch Rd.
Follow Terry Ranch Rd for about 5.5 miles until you reach US-85. Turn left onto US-85 to follow it North into downtown Cheyenne. Business 87 will soon join the route through downtown from W College Drive. Stay on US-85/Bus 87 for 13 miles until you reach an intersection with Central Ave and Yellowstone Rd next to the airport. At this intersection, stay on Yellowstone Rd/WY-219 while US-85 and Business 87 turn left onto Central Ave to meet up with Interstate-25. Stay straight on Yellowstone Rd/WY-219 for 16 miles as it leaves Cheyenne. The road will meet back up alongside Interstate-25 and turn into a county road. Continue on the road for 11 miles.
Alternate Route Option 1: 1930's Route
At the Exit 29 interchange for Whitaker Road, you can choose to cross the highway to pick up the original route that is now a county road (Laramie CR 120). From the interchange it is about a mile and a half down Whitaker road and on your right hand side. CAUTION THIS IS A DIRT RANCH ROAD WITH OPEN RANGE GRAZING, WATCH FOR CHILDREN AND LIVESTOCK! This alignment exists up until Exit 34 for Nimmo Road, where you will have to cross back over the interstate to pick up the 1960's realignment again.
MAIN ROUTE - Continuing on: 1950's - 60's Route
After 11 miles along the Interstate, you will see a sign on your left for "Little Bear Community Exit 39". At the intersection, turn left and go under the Interstate and Historic US-87 will continue on your right hand side. DO NOT TURN ONTO THE SOUTHBOUND I-25 OFFRAMP. You can then follow this road all the way into Chugwater. This is an early 1960s realignment. As you descend the hill after Exit 47 for Bear Creek Road Interchange, notice the third climbing land that has been abandoned on the left side of the road.
Alternate Route Option 2: 1930's Route
At the Exit 39 interchange, you can opt to go straight instead of turning under the underpass onto CR-123/Little Bear Rd. This is the original 1930s alignment of US-87 and was used up until the late 50s early 60s. CAUTION THIS IS A DIRT ROAD WITH OPEN RANGE GRAZING, WATCH FOR CHILDREN AND LIVESTOCK! This road will meet back up with the 1960s alignment passing under Interstate-25. Just before the road turns left to go under the tunnel, the remains of the original US-87 can be seen ahead in the pasture. At the intersection, turn right to stay Northbound on Historic US-87. The 1930's route continued due north through the Exit 47 interchange onto a private ranch road that is accessible from the interchange. Please view this alignment from afar as this is private property.
Things to see along the way
Terry Bison Ranch
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Terry Bison Ranch
A working bison ranch on the Colorado border and on the original alignment of US-87, stop in for a good steak, live music, or a drive in movie! Ranch Resort | Steakhouse Restaurant | Cheyenne, WY | Terry Bison Ranch Resort
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Terry Bison Ranch
Visit the Albany for a prime rib on the Depot Square or the old Union Pacific station, now housing a museum. Straight up Capitol Avenue is the Wyoming State Capitol Building. Historic US-87 crosses the famous Lincoln Highway in downtown Cheyenne.
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Just off Exit-39 for the Little Bear Community (sign visible from Historic US-87), take a left at the interchange and follow the signs to tour a decommissioned 1960's launch control facility. Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails - Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Chugwater, Wyoming
Chugwater, Wyoming
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Chugwater is the hometown of Wyoming's license plate Bucking Horse "Steamboat" as well as the Swan Land & Cattle Company. Historic US-87 occupies First street where you can stop in for a milkshake at the states oldest operating soda fountain. The Stampede Saloon offers live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night in a Western a
Chugwater is the hometown of Wyoming's license plate Bucking Horse "Steamboat" as well as the Swan Land & Cattle Company. Historic US-87 occupies First street where you can stop in for a milkshake at the states oldest operating soda fountain. The Stampede Saloon offers live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night in a Western atmosphere. June 18th, 2022 is Chugwater's Chili Cook-off and Roundup.
Wheatland, Wyoming
Chugwater, Wyoming
Wheatland, Wyoming
The Platte County seat is Wheatland, Wyoming, boasting a population of around 3,500. This agricultural center is home to the Platte County Fair. The Courthouse shown here was built in 1917. Business 87 and Historic US-87 run through town on 16th Street, South Street, and 9th Street. The Official Website of Platte County, Wyoming - Home Page (plattecountywyoming.com)
Glendo, Wyoming
Chugwater, Wyoming
Wheatland, Wyoming
Another one of Platte Counties charming small towns, Glendo has a population of about 200 sitting on Historic US-87. Signed today as WY-319, this is a well preserved section of highway that goes through narrow canyons straight through downtown Glendo and along the Reservoir with beautiful unobstructed views. If traveling north on I-25, take Exit 94 for the full length of this scenic drive!
Douglas, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Douglas, Wyoming
Douglas is the county seat of Converse County. An energy hub, Douglas is most known as the home of the Wyoming State Fair and the Jackalope. Historic US-87, now Business 87 runs right by the fairgrounds after running through downtown. Be sure to stop at the Plains Trading Post Restaurant for a classic Western dining experience and Ice Cream. Converse County, WY | Official Website
Casper, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Douglas, Wyoming
Wyoming's second largest city behind Cheyenne, downtown Casper is flush with three palace movie theaters; The Rialto, The America, and The Fox. Lou Taubert's is a staple on 2nd Street, Historic US-87, and the Fort Caspar museum is a must for Wyoming's early history. Casper was always served by US-87 in some capacity since 1926. Natrona County, WY | Official Website
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Historic US-87 passes through Downtown Sheridan as Business 87 today, with a mix of historic and modern shops, restaurants, bars, and even the famous King’s Saddlery, King Ropes | Sheridan, Wyoming (kingssaddlery.com). Sheridan is a popular vacation spot, just a stones throw from the Big Horn Mountains and Eaton's Ranch, but works hard to maintain its Western and Cowboy culture authenticity.
1937-Colorado
If you are joining us up here in Wyoming from Colorado, we will have more detail forthcoming on Historic US-87 in the future, but for now you can feel comfortable knowing that if you follow modern day US-287 North from Denver to Fort Collins, and US-85 South to Raton, NM, you are essentially following Historic US-87 with minor variances through cities. North of Fort Collins follow CO-1 to Wellington from US-287, and 6th Street North out of Wellington until it meets with Owl Canyon Rd where unfortunately you will have to take Interstate-25 until you reach Exit-2 in Wyoming to follow the historic route. (Image 1937 Texaco Road Map)
Recent Change to Route
To stay on Historic US-87, North of Longmont, US-287 now bypasses Berthoud. To stay on the historic route, turn right heading Northbound off US-287 onto CO-56. Follow CO-56 to 1st Street and turn left to head North. If coming Southbound, take the exit for Berthoud onto 1st Street, and right onto CO-56. As a bonus, Campion's Garfield Ave/19th Street is also the original US-87 alignment and was US-287 until bypassed and decommissioned in the 1960s. (Image USGS Map)