• Chimney Rock was an important emigrant landmark in western Nebraska

    California

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

Support Your Park

Volunteers from the California-Nevada chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) complete the installation of a new interpretive exhibit.

OCTA volunteers along the Carson Route of the California NHT.

Frank Tortorich - the Oregon-California Trails Association.

Get Involved

Visits to national parks inspire people to plan another trip, to tell their friends about their experience, and often, to ask how they can help. We love that!

There are a number of ways that you can help support the work of the National Park Service as it endeavors to provide opportunities for Americans and travelers from around the world to learn about the significance of the California National Historic Trail, and protect and preserve the historic remnants of the trail.

You can:

  • Volunteer (information about volunteering with the National Park Service and the Volunteer Application form)
  • Tell us what you think
  • Partner with the NPS - there are a number of partnership associations with strong interests in promoting awareness the trail as well as marking and preserving the historic trail route(s) that we would encourage you to seek out if you have a desire to lend your support.
  • Do your part
  • Revitalize your community
The National Park Service, for the most part, does not own or manage the lands the California NHT crosses over. Therefore, we rely heavily on the work and the efforts of our many partner organizations to accomplish our mission. Please be sure to visit our Partner pages to see how you might become involved.

Did You Know?

Gates of the Bear River, WY. Photo courtesy of The Wagner Perspective.

Rivers played an important role in establishing the 1840s - 1860s Emigrant Road to Oregon and California. In general, the route left the Missouri River to follow the Platte, then the Sweetwater to the Bear, the Snake and then either North to the Columbia or South to the Humboldt. More...