Traveling The Oregon Trail On This Tour Is Bucket List Worthy

Oregon’s pioneer roots are an inextricable part of our state’s identity, and the eponymous Oregon Trail played a huge role in shaping the Beaver State as we know it today. In Oregon, there are numerous places where intrepid explorers can experience traveling the Oregon Trail along the infamous wagon trail’s route, gaining invaluable insight and perspective along the way. Offering a wholly immersive experience, the Oregon Trail Auto Trail is easily the most accessible way to experience the historic route. Coming in at around 400 miles and six hours of drive time, the Oregon stretch of this route absolutely belongs on your bucket list.

More than 200 years ago, as Westward expansion ramped up, folks felt an undeniable pull out West.

Whether venturing West for job opportunities, dreams of a better life, or new adventures, those on the Oregon Trail all had one thing in common: an indefatigable pioneer spirit.

And thus began the Oregon Trail, a 2,170-mile wagon route from Missouri to Oregon's Willamette Valley, a journey that would go down in history as one of the most tragic and dangerous ventures in American history.

Today, folks can have their own Oregon Trail experience in numerous ways, from the eponymous Oregon Trail Interpretive Park and other museums to various trails, historic sites, and even an Auto Tour. We're partial to this last option.

Driving the Oregon Trail follows a route that leads from the Northeastern edge of Oregon all the way to the trail's terminus. Along the way, attractions and points of interest abound on this driving tour as you're traveling the Oregon Trail.

The Oregon portion of the Auto Tour spans roughly 400 miles and takes just over six hours to complete. Sounds arduous, right? Just imagine how Oregon's earliest pioneers felt, as the entire journey took as long as six months, start to finish.

Put into perspective, historians estimate that the 300-400,000 folks traveling the Oregon Trail were able to cover just 15-20 miles *per day*.

Two important Eastern Oregon towns along the route are La Grande, the largest community within the Grande River Valley, and Baker City, which is home to the aforementioned National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, as well as a myriad of other museums.

Over on the other side of the state in The Dalles, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum is another place that's not only part of the Oregon Trail and route taken by Lewis and Clark, it's also home to one of the oldest continuously occupied places in North America that's more than 11,000 years old.

The Oregon Trail is one of the most legendary events in our country's history, and the Beaver State was the promised land waiting at the end. Today, the Auto Tour of the Oregon Trail is one of those bucket-list adventures we think everyone ought to take.

Visit NPS.gov to learn more and plan your excursion on the Oregon portion of the Oregon Trail Auto Tour. Do you have experience traveling the Oregon Trail? We would love to hear about it – be sure to share in the comments section.

If you have not gone but are now intrigued to give driving the Oregon Trail a try, make sure you are better prepared than those early days pioneers by following our ultimate road trip packing list. And of course, you won’t want to forget the snacks!

Curious to learn more of Oregon’s history? In Portland, the Shanghai Tunnel Tours offer a glimpse into another tragic time in the state’s history.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Things To Do In Oregon

Katie Feldkamp | January 12, 2024

What are some outdoor activities in Oregon?

If you have already completed traveling the Oregon Trail and crossed it off your bucket list, it’s time to move on to some other pretty memorable ways to see the beauty of the outdoors in Oregon. Let your feet be your guide on a nature hike, exploring trails such as:

In Arch Cape, there is an easy one-mile trail that takes you out to the coast at the Hug Point State Recreation Site.
In Smith Rock State Park, the Crooked River Trail is a bit longer, but still an easy hike to take in some of Oregon’s unique landscape.
For more experienced hikers, plan a time to hike the Angel’s Rest Trail in Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area.

For more information on these and over a dozen other breathtaking trails, check out this article on the best hikes in Oregon.

What are some state parks in Oregon to visit?

Traveling the Oregon Trail will give you a chance to visit some parks, but there are plenty other state parks throughout the Beaver State that you will also enjoy visiting. Some suggestions include:

Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site in the John Day Valley
Deschutes River State Recreation Area in Wasco
Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach

You’ll enjoy reading this article on some of the best state parks in Oregon to find out more about these locations and several others.

Featured Addresses

National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, 22267 OR-86, Baker City, OR 97814, USA

The Oregon Trail Tour That Belongs On Your Oregon Bucket List

Sarah McCosham

Author

Related Stories

Spend Three Days In Three Mountains On This Weekend Road Trip In Oregon

Explore Oregon's Best Parks And Pizzerias On This Multi-Day Road Trip

The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through Oregon That Will Take You To 9 Magical Displays

Want more Oregon in your inbox?

More to Explore

Things To Do In Oregon

Related Articles

Featured Addresses