Register CliffAbout Register Cliff
Register Cliff is a vertical sandstone cliff along the North Platte River in southeastern Wyoming where mid-19th-century emigrants on the Oregon Trail carved names and messages. The site preserves dozens of historic inscriptions visible on the cliff face.
Visitors see a panel of historic graffiti set above a small accessible viewing area with interpretive signage that explains the site’s role on the Oregon Trail. A short path links the parking area to the cliff and picnic facilities.
During the mid-1800s the cliff served as a stopping point where travelers could sign the soft rock; many names and dates from that migration period remain visible. The site is preserved for its cultural and historic connection to westward migration.
Register Cliff lies near the town of Guernsey in east-central Wyoming, alongside the historical Oregon Trail corridor and close to other trail landmarks in the North Platte valley.
- Preservation notice: The inscriptions date to mid-19th-century westward migration and are fragile; visitors are expected not to touch or add markings to preserve the historic surface.
- Photography tip: Good photographic light is often in the morning and late afternoon when the low sun enhances the carved names and relief of the sandstone; seasonal weather affects ground conditions.
What to See#
- Inscribed cliff face: The sandstone cliff face displaying hundreds of 19th-century emigrant inscriptions and signatures carved into soft stone by travelers on the Oregon Trail.
- Visitor access and trail: A small parking area and short, accessible path that leads to an interpretive viewing area in front of the cliff.
Best Time to Visit Register Cliff
A sandstone cliff on the North Platte River used by emigrants on the Oregon Trail to carve names and dates as they passed west in the 19th century.
Weather & Climate near Register Cliff
Register Cliff's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -10° - 4° | -8° | 7 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -8° - 7° | -5° | 8 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -5° - 11° | -1° | 19 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 16° | 5° | 43 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 22° | 13° | 60 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 28° | 19° | 58 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 32° | 22° | 45 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 12° - 31° | 21° | 26 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 26° | 16° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 0° - 19° | 7° | 20 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -6° - 9° | -2° | 11 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - 5° | -8° | 8 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Register Cliff
Register Cliff is located off U.S. Route 26 near Guernsey, Wyoming. It is a short drive from Interstate 25; signage on US-26 directs visitors to the parking area and short interpretive trail to the cliff face.
Tips for Visiting Register Cliff
- Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the ledgered names on the cliff face.
- Midday light reduces shadows on the inscriptions-plan photography accordingly.
- Combine with a visit to nearby Oregon Trail markers and museums to place the cliff in historical context.