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Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee
None[1]
Visitor centers
1[2]

Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail is a National Park System unit that crosses Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California[3]. NPS lists it as fee-free, so there is no entrance fee[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

The trail is a corridor, not one marked hiking path. It runs through towns, cities, public lands and Wilderness, and some of it crosses private land[4]. Hours and access differ from place to place, so NPS asks you to contact individual trail sites before you go[4]. The trail is long, so NPS suggests checking local weather for the region you plan to visit[5]. The National Weather Service at weather.gov is the forecast source NPS names[5].

Pets and dogs

Under the national NPS pet rule, pets in places where they are permitted must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less, at all times[6]. The rule also bars pets from public buildings, public transportation and designated swimming beaches, with an exception for service animals[6]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check the site you plan to visit[6].

Before you go

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail?
NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1]. Confirm on the official park page before you go.
What are the hours?
There is no single set of hours. Each location varies as to hours and access, and NPS suggests contacting individual trail sites first[4].
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
In places where pets are permitted, NPS rules require a crate, a cage or a leash of six feet or less[6]. Each park can close more areas to pets[6].
Where can I check the weather?
NPS points visitors to the National Weather Service at weather.gov for the area they plan to visit[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NPS lists Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
  2. Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8). National Park Service
  3. Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historic Trail) in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. National Park Service
  4. Operating hours, Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail: The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead, it is a corridor that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The... National Park Service
  5. NPS weather and seasons overview for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail. National Park Service
  6. National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.