Oregon National Historic Trail

As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Beginning in 1841 and continuing for more than 20 years, an estimated 300,000 emigrants followed this route from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon on a trip that took five months to complete.

The 2,170 mile long trail passes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.

Long Distance Trails Office
324 South State St., Suite 250
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0155
(801)539-4093 - Headquarters

Travel and weather information along the Oregon Trail is best obtained from local offices of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service, or state tourism.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Biking
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding

Recommended Activities
The National Park Service Comprehensive Management and Use Plan describes the official route, lists 235 historic sites and seven cross-country segments. It also makes recommendations for resource protection, trail management and marking. Many of the sites and segments are on public land and are open to visitors. Others are located on private lands (please obtain the landowners permission before entry). The approximate route can still be followed by automobile, and opportunities are available to travel by foot, horse, or mountain bike in many places.