Teaspoon draws the assignment of rebuilding a way station destroyed by renegades. He and the riders relocate to Rock Creek, a new territory for them to make their way in, getting to know the new neighbors.
Young Jesse vows revenge after the murder of his foster father Doc but the riders try to disuade him. Someone also wants Jesse dead so his new friends protect him. Noah deals with ugly racial comments from Jarvis.
Ike is romancing Emily Metcalfe whose father has been feuding with shady gambler Neville. Emily vows revenge when Neville shoots her father but it's Ike who pays when trying to protect his girlfriend.
Cody wants the reward the Army is offering regarding their weapons theft. He falls for a widow Julia, with her son Danny, who wants to break with her husband's gun running gang. Buck grieves the loss of his friend Ike.
Hickok brings in Frank James after a bank robbery and Frank sees it as an opportunity to get Jesse to join as part of his gang. Teaspoon appeals to Jesse to stay with friends instead of choosing family and their criminal ways.
With Teaspoon and others away, Noah heads a slim crew. Rachel falls for an injured Mike Stolder who they learn has a drinking problem. Murderous horse thieves trail him for revenge. Jesse wants to grow up too fast.
Noah and Cody have the unusual task of escorting a tiger, two nuns and Elizabeth, a novice. Cody falls for Elizabeth, tries to disuade her from taking vows while they fight off hunters wanting a tiger hide. Jesse gets a crush on Louise.
Lou's past haunts her when her friend Charlotte arrives, followed closely by Wicks a man who hurt them both. After Charlotte mysteriously dies, Lou tells Rachel everything. Hickok tries to help an injured Lakota, Red Sky.
Isaiah Burke and wife Rosemary are abolitionists trying to lead a group to freedom but slave catchers are close behind. Hickok helps them out but also falls in love with Mrs. Burke. Isaiah is captured and must be rescued by the riders.
The Kid helps out Margaret but the act of kindness connects him to a plot to steal a gold shipment. Both sides on the slavery issue want the money to help their cause and are willing to use any means necessary to get it.
Teaspoon falls for Miss Marie who claims to be destitute because of a robbery. But Jesse and Bill learns she has a connection to an outlaw gang. Hickok seeks vengeance outside the law after a child is murdered.
Jesse has a new boss in Fury, a gruff man who is the father figure the lonely boy is looking for. But Jesse finds him murdered right after the return of Tarkoski from prison and the others have to stop an act of revenge.
Buck encounters Camille, about to wed Bill Barlow, who he left behind when they ran across buffalo hunters. She was Little Feather then and when she seems possessed Buck takes her to find a Native American healer to heal her.
Cody has written a story about the riders and the rest take exception about how they are portrayed when it's published. Jimmy and Jesse take after cold blooded killer Dobbins who's after a widow and her son Seth.
Teaspoon and Jimmy save African American Edward from a lynching. It brings their disagreement over the South and slavery to a head. The Kid's proposal to Lou is stopped by a gunfight and a prisoner named Dawkins who's help they need..
Killer Randle is seeking vengeance against Marty who testified against him and Teaspoon is unable to prevent it. His ex-love Polly and a lawman friend also arrive in town. Buck and Cody take off after Randle followed by Teaspoon to get justice.
Jimmy trains a new rider Matt who on an ride meets a terrible end at the hands of the Garrett family. Jimmy finds a town in terror but with Lou's unexpected appearance faces the killers. Lou fears the changes marriage to Kid will bring.
War arrives on the plains forcing the riders to choose sides. Cody joins the Union army while Frank returns for his brother Jesse. A deadly encounter with renegade Rebels leaves the Riders intent on justice for a fallen comrade.