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National Historic Trail

Oregon National Historic Trail

Plan a Oregon trip

About Oregon

Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states and serve as reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.

From the National Park Service.

States
Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming
Designation
National Historic Trail
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Oregon.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

The Oregon 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 route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operation and access. Please contact trail sites before your visit for more information.

Weather and when to go

Due to the length of the Oregon National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: weather.gov

Getting there

More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states- reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
National Trails Office - Regions 6, 7, 8, Oregon National Historic Trail, 1100 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Official site
nps.gov/oreg

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Oregon

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Oregon

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Go See Oregon Trail Ruts

    Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 45 min · Reservation required

    One of the best ways to experience the Oregon Trail is by taking a step back in time while visiting a trail rut. Luckily, there are still places where you can have that experience…

  • Hike on the Oregon Trail

    Hiking · about 2 hours

    Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? Travel the Oregon National Historic…

  • Horseback Riding on the Oregon Trail

    Horseback Riding · about 45 min

    Take a ride back in time on the Oregon Trail! The variety of opportunities ranges from historic landscapes to modern views, and from short to longer trail rides. Riding the Trail…

  • Check out Museums and Visitor Centers along the Oregon Trail

    Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

    There are a variety of museums and visitor centers along the Oregon Trail. In some places, you may find more interpretive exhibits, information, and programs. In other places, bei…

What to pack for Oregon

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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