The Sweetwater Valley contained three distinctive granite landmarks: Independence Rock, Devil’s Gate, and Split Rock. The last of these, Split Rock, had guided travelers for decades before the emigrants arrived. The distinctive "gun sight" notch in the Rattlesnake Range was visible to the emigrants for the better part of two days. Rising some 1000 feet above the prairie, Split Rock aimed the emigrants directly at South Pass, still more that 75 miles away. This region’s gentle landscape offered the emigrants a short, but much needed, respite in their long journey.

Split Rock Station is located a short distance west of Split Rock between Cranner Rock and the south bank of the Sweetwater River in what is now a hay meadow. It served as a Pony Express station, stage station, and telegraph station in the early 1860s. A crude log structure and pole corral that were part of the station are now part of a private ranch homesite. Henry Herr tells us that, in 1862, 50 soldiers from the 6^th Ohio Regiment were encamped here to protect the emigrants. Legend tells us that the soldiers built a tunnel between the post and the river so that they could get water without being seen by the Indians.

Ownership
Public (BLM) and private.

Directions
Split Rock itself is located in Natrona County. The BLM Interpretive Rest Area is located just over the line in Fremont County, Wyoming. T29N/R89W.

Travel west of Muddy Gap Junction on US 287 for about eight miles to the Split Rock Rest Area on the north side of the highway. Another 3.5 miles beyond the rest area is an historical marker turnout for Split Rock. From here, you get a good view of "gun sight" notch from the west
National Park Service Comprehensive Management Plan
The BLM has developed an attractive rest area/interpretive site on the south side of Split Rock. A short hiking trail, with interpretive panels regarding the area and its history, leads to an overlook from which trail ruts are visible. Unfortunately, the location of the rest area precludes seeing the distinctive "gun sight" notch. The site is not listed on the National Register.