Where is the Oregon National Historic Trail?The Trail passes through the following seven states: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The trail begins at its eastern end in Wayne City, Missouri, but emigrants also departed from St. Joseph, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska. The route ends in Oregon City, Oregon. The official trail is about 2,250 miles which encompasses all of the alternate routes. We often say the trail is 2,000 miles from east to west, not including the various alternate routes.Where can I obtain a map and brochure for the Trail?Trail brochures may be obtained from a number of locations. Many museums and visitor centers along the trail distribute our free brochures. Places to Go provides a sample of some of the sites along the trail that may carry our publications. Trail Brochures can be downloaded directly or email us to request one.How do I visit or follow the Trail?The Trail is not a clearly marked nor continuous hiking trail. Instead it is a corridor that passes through different states and land ownership. Visitors can follow segments of the original trail on public lands and approximate other sections by following the trail's Auto Tour Routes. However, many parts of the original trail are privately owned, have been lost to development, are under plow, or cross military or American Indian tribal reserves. Unless clearly marked, there is no public trail access across private property and reserves. Before entering those lands, you must locate the owners and ask their permission. To view an interactive map of the official trail visit Places to Go.Where can I get my Passport stamped? Passport Stamp locations along the Oregon Trail.Do you have educational materials for teachers?We do not currently have any teacher or student specific products. We would be happy to mail you our official map and guide brochure for your classroom. Email us with your contact information, mailing address, and the quantity of brochures you need for your class.Did Indians really attack wagon trains?Occasionally wagon trains were attacked, but not nearly as often as one might think from watching old Western movies. Historians believe that many attacks on wagon trains were led by so-called "white Indians," white criminals who thinly disguised themselves as Indians and sometimes enlisted the help of actual Indians to rob emigrants. Most emigrant encounters with American Indians along the overland trails were peaceful.What year was the Trail established?Congress established the Trail in 1978. In early 1841 the first emigrant wagon party left from Independence, Missouri with about 80 men, women, and children, guided by Thomas Fitzpatrick.What is a National Historic Trail?Much like a national park, a national historic trail is created by an act of Congress. National historic trails are congressionally designated official routes that reflect the research, review, and recommendation of many trail experts. National historic trails commemorate historic trade, migration, and other routes important to American culture.Who owns the Trail?The Trail is administered by the National Park Service (National Trails office), but the actual route on the ground is owned or managed by public, private, nonprofit, state, county, and local landowners. National Trails staff work with these landowners to identify the historic trail resources, provide site planning and design, map the trail, and develop educational opportunities. The National Trails office does not own any land on the trail.How can I learn more about the Trail and take part in trail-related activities?Two nonprofit organizations that research, tour, mark, interpret, and protect the Oregon Trail are the Oregon-California Trails Association and Trails West, Inc.
|  | | FAQs
Where did the Oregon Trail start? How long was it? Djid travelers of the trail pass through Nebraska? How did they travel?
What was the Oregon Trail be detailed in your answer? ›
The Oregon Trail was a wagon road stretching 2170 miles from Missouri to Oregon's Willamette Valley. It was not a road in any modern sense, only parallel ruts leading across endless prairie, sagebrush desert, and mountains.
What is the best month to leave in Oregon Trail? ›
It was critical for travelers to leave in April or May if they hoped to reach Oregon before the winter snows began. Leaving in late spring also ensured there'd be ample grass along the way to feed livestock.
What was the most common problem on the Oregon Trail? ›
Stream and river crossings, steep descents and ascents, violent storms, and the persistent threat of disease among large groups of travelers were the most common challenges.
Can you still see wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail? ›
The bluffs close proximity to the river forced the emigrant trails onto a narrow path that went up and over the bluffs. Over time, as thousands of wagons, emigrants, and livestock went up the rise, ruts were carved into the dry bluffs. These ruts are still visible today at Sutherland Rest Area.
What percentage of people survived the Oregon Trail? ›
Most of the emigrants on the Oregon Trail survived the trip. Between four and six percent of the emigrants died along the way - between 12,500 and 20,000 people. This is about one grave for every 200 yards of trail (the length of two football fields). Most of those who died were either children or elderly people.
Did wagon trains really circle the wagons? ›
Did they circle the wagons when they camped? Large wagon trains formed corrals by circling their wagons, where animals could be herded if needed. Small wagon trains generally did not form circles.
Where was the hardest part of the Oregon Trail? ›
The towering Rocky Mountains represented the most physically challenging portion of the Oregon Trail. Travelers along the trail were forced to pass the Rocky Mountains in western Wyoming and Idaho, and then the Cascades Range in Oregon.
What was the biggest danger on the Oregon Trail? ›
Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents, or rattlesnake bites were a few. However, the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact.
How to keep people alive in Oregon Trail? ›
-Travel at the slowest pace (steady?). Strenuous or grueling pace tires your crew, making health go down. -Whenever someone is sick, stop and rest*. That makes them less likely to die.
Some emigrants simply caulked their wagon boxes, making them watertight, and floated them across. Where the crossings were shallow, wagon boxes could be raised by putting blocks on the axles.
What is the best occupation in Oregon Trail? ›
Best classes are: Guide, Physician, Banker, Angler (because fishing is OP). Carpenter is useful if you don't want to slather wagon with grease. Mountain Wo/Man is a good substitute for Guide with better aim. Prospector and Musician can be handy if you hit a lot of campsites.
What to bring on the Oregon Trail? ›
Each man took a rifle or shotgun and some added a pistol. A good hunting knife was essential. Farm implements such as a plow, shovel, scythe, rake, hoe; plus carpentry tools - saw, broad axe, mallet, plane. Seeds for corn, wheat and other crops.
What was the biggest challenge on the Oregon Trail? ›
Diseases and serious illnesses caused the deaths of nine out of ten pioneers. Such diseases as cholera, small pox, flu, measles, mumps, tuberculosis could spread quickly through an entire wagon camp. Cholera was the main scourge of the trail.
How long did the Oregon Trail last? ›
From the early to mid-1830s (and particularly through the years 1846–1869) the Oregon Trail and its many offshoots were used by about 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, and business owners and their families to get to the area known as Oregon and its surrounding counterparts.
Why did they walk the Oregon Trail? ›
There were many reasons for the westward movement to Oregon and California. Economic problems upset farmers and businessmen. Free land in Oregon and the possibility of finding gold in California lured them westward.
