Casper's Trails Center to Temporarily Close Amid Infrastructure Upgrades

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, will temporarily close to the public beginning August 7, 2025, as the City of Casper undertakes critical road and water line improvements along North Poplar Street. The infrastructure work will impact all public access routes to the center, and no alternate entry points are available for visitors during the construction period.

City officials say the project includes the replacement of aging underground water lines, resurfacing sections of the roadway, and improving stormwater drainage infrastructure in the area—essential upgrades for long-term service reliability and safety.

“We apologize for any inconvenience the closure may cause and appreciate the community’s patience during this time,” said Ben Bigalke, Bureau of Land Management High Plains Associate District Manager. “We will provide an update to the public as soon as we are able to re-open.”

Bigalke noted that the Trails Center, which serves as an educational gateway to the stories of westward expansion and historic migration routes, remains an important resource for the region. “Our commitment to preserving and interpreting these stories for future generations remains unchanged. We look forward to welcoming visitors back once conditions allow.”

The closure comes during a typically busy summer tourism season, but officials emphasized that the short-term disruption will yield long-term benefits for both the Trails Center and surrounding city infrastructure.

During the closure, the public is encouraged to follow BLM Wyoming on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), or visit the Trails Center’s official website at: https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/national-historic-trails-interpretive-center, where updates and future programming announcements will be posted.

The City of Casper expects the upgrades to continue through late summer, though an official reopening date for the Trails Center has not yet been announced.

The Trails Center is managed by the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with various public and nonprofit stakeholders, and highlights the significance of trails such as the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, and Pony Express routes.

Originally reported by Wyoming News Now.