Boise Ford

This crossing pointed north, toward Idaho. A natural ford on the Bear River, shallow enough to wade, had been used by Native travelers, trappers, and explorers long before John Hailey chose it in 1863 as the river crossing for his stagecoach line from Salt Lake City to Boise. Some unknown hand chiseled 'Boise Ford' into a boulder on each bank. For years the coaches splashed through here on the long haul to the Idaho mines and back, until bridges spanned the Bear and the old ford fell quiet. It lies a couple of miles east of here.

What the plaque says

A natural ford on Bear River, first used by Indians, trappers and explorers, was selected by John Hailey in 1863, as the crossing point for his new stagecoach road, from Salt Lake City, Utah to Boise, Idaho. Unknown hands carved "Boise Ford 1853" on a large stone on each bank of the river. Located approximately three-quarters of a mile south and two miles east of this marker, the ford was used until bridges were built.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Wellsville Mountains — 11 mi
  The steepest mountains in North America for their height
• Hyrum State Park — 16 mi
  A family-friendly reservoir at the mouth of Blacksmith Fork Canyon
• Logan — 16 mi
  A vibrant college town tucked into a stunning mountain valley
• American West Heritage Center — 19 mi
  A living history farm spanning 160 acres of Cache Valley

More markers nearby

• Salt Lake Cutoff, Bear River Crossing — 3.8 mi
• In Honor of James Bridger 1804 - 1881 — 4.1 mi
• Bear River City Pioneers — 5.5 mi
• Bear River City — 5.5 mi