Willow Bar Crossing Oklahoma

"Willow Bar Crossing"
USGS Aerial Photograph

Space Willow Bar

Soon after entering the present state of Oklahoma the Santa Fe Trail crossed to the south bank of the Cimarron River at a well known site called Willow Bar. This place got its name from a stand of Willow trees growing on a sandbar in the middle of the River at this location. From this point the trail left the river, but for approximately the next twenty miles it remained in the Cimarron "breaks" the rough country composed of hills and mesas lying in the wide vally of the Cimarron River.
Traveling west the next campsite is Upper or Flag Spring, followed by Cold Spring and then Fort Nichols. About five miles beyond Fort Nichols, the trail enters the state of New Mexico. All of these sites are on private property and not easily accessible to the public. Several Markers and some fine Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen in the area.