The National Pony Express Association is dedicated to the preservation of the Pony Express National Historic Trail, its sites and its history.

The National Pony Express Association (NPEA) is an all-volunteer, historical organization with the purpose of identifying, re-establishing and marking the original pony express trail from St. Joseph, Missouri, via Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and into California. We are a non-profit 501(c) (3) Association.

In the mid 1960’s a group of California horse and trail enthusiasts banned together and started doing re-enactments of the Pony Express. In 1977 they formed the National Pony Express Association (NPEA), and the organization was incorporated on March 3, 1978.

Each year they extended the ride further east and in 1980 they were riding and carrying mail the entire distance between Sacramento, California and St. Joseph, Missouri.

Today the spirit and memory of the Pony Express is kept alive by the Annual Re-ride which is held in June of each year. The horse with the mail travels east in odd numbered years and west in even numbered years.

A convention, which includes a Board of Directors meeting, is held each year in September along the trail. Numerous events and activities are held throughout the year.

National Headquarters is located in Pollock Pines, California.

Read NPEA’s Strategic Plan