Oregon-California Trails

The Oregon-California Trails were historic routes used by 19th-century pioneers and settlers moving westward across North America. These trails connected the Missouri River to Oregon's Willamette Valley and California's Gold Rush regions, serving as vital pathways during westward expansion. They covered rugged terrain, including mountains, plains, and deserts, and were traveled primarily by covered wagons, horses, and foot. The trails played a significant role in the migration, settlement, and development of the western United States, shaping the country's expansion and history. Today, they are commemorated as important historical routes and national historic trails.