Out in the middle of no where, you can find these historic, natural landmarks - Independence Rock, Devil's Gate, Split Rock, and Martin's Cove, all within a few miles of each other. You can actually see them all together.

This is, by far, one of the most popular sites in Wyoming, second only to Yellowstone National Park, and it's catching up fast.

Most of what you see are just desert, hills and sand dunes. Go to the Martin's Cove Visitors' Center (with your lunch, open to the public), grab a handcart, and hike up the trail. Hidden within the hills, behind a huge dune, you can picnic in a lush, fertile, beautiful cove.

But that's not what made this spot famous. Visit the sites below to learn more about this historic stop on the Mormon and Oregon Trails.

http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/trailsdemo/martin's_cove.htm
http://heritage.uen.org/
http://www.topomap.to/martinscove/trip_to_martin.htm
http://nchistorical.com/trailinfo/martinscove.html
http://www.angelfire.com/mi2/2im/yellowstone/wyoming.html

"During an early winter storm in October and November of 1856, more than a quarter of a party of over 500 Martin Handcart Company emigrants perished. More than the site of this tragedy, however, Martin's Cove is a symbol of the physical strain and hardship suffered by many who sought a better way of life." To learn about this story, visit

http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/martcove.htm