• Chimney Rock was an important emigrant landmark in western Nebraska

    California

    National Historic Trail CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY

Gold Fever!

Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s-the greatest mass migration in American history. More than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen across 10 states on the California National Historic Trail.

Features

  • Map of Four Trails Feasibility Study

    Learn About New Potential Trail Segments

    Congress has directed the NPS to evaluate whether some 64 new trail routes should be added. Learn more about the feasibility study that is underway.

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  • California National Historic Trail logo

    Follow the Trails

    See the trail using our Auto Tour Route Interpretive Guides that provide directions where visitors will find trail remnants and interpretive media.

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  • National Park Service Challenge Cost Share logo

    Funding for Trail Projects

    Thinking about an interesting historic trail project, but don’t know how to fund it? Challenge Cost Share is a partnership and funding program.

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  • Parting of the Ways in Wyoming

    Find Your Name

    Visit Oregon-California Trails Association’s website to search for pioneer emigrant names.

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Did You Know?

Oregon, California, & Mormon emigrants, as well as Pony Express riders traveled over South Pass, Wyoming

Until discovered by William Sublette in the 1830s, most Americans thought the Rocky Mountains were impassable. Lewis and Clark passed through the Rockies north of this location, via the Missouri River in 1805. More...