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Ryan (Prospect) Hill
On Horse Creek Road about 13 miles south of State Highway 220.
At Ryan Hill Interpretive Site.
Prospect Hill (now called Ryan Hill) derived its name from the view of the surrounding countryside, a view William Clayton called “pleasant” in his 1848 Emigrants’ Guide.” To the west, the emigrants got their first view of the Sweetwater Mountains and the route they would travel to Independence Rock and Devils Gate, some of the most spectacular sites along the trail. Those who could not make the 20 miles from here to Independence Rock in one day would usually camp at Horse Creek. Once at Independence Rock, they would follow the Sweetwater River for the next 90 miles, thus having access to a reliable water source.

Although this portion of the trail was repeatedly described as barren and rough, it was not desolate. Amelia Stewart Knight wrote in her journal on June 14, 1853, “There is no less than 150 wagons camped around us, but we have left most of the droves behind, and no end to the teams.”

There are developed interpretive areas at Independence Rock, Devils Gate and Split Rock.

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