Last updated: May 22, 2025
Place
National Historic Oregon Trail Center- Trail Ruts
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
22267 Oregon 86, Baker City, Oregon
Significance:
13 miles of visible Oregon Trail ruts
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
1 listed
Trailhead
Of the 2170 miles of the Oregon Trail, approximately 300 miles of ruts remain. Swales created by thousands of wagon wheels and the trampling of draft animals are deep in some areas, shallow in other places. Much of the trail has disappeared due to natural erosion, and development of farms, highways, cities and towns. In some places, the Oregon Trail, or Emigrant Road as it was generally called in the 19th century, was later used by automobiles.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located at the top of Flagstaff Hill. The Oregon Trail reached this hill by going through the small valley, known as Virtue Flat, that lies just south of the center. Traveling through this valley was no easy task. Emigrants had to fight their way through shoulder-tall sagebrush just after spending four or five difficult days ascending Burnt River.
The trek across Virtue Flats created 13 miles of still visible Oregon Trail ruts. Approximately one mile of these ruts lies on the interpretive center's grounds. The ruts can be reached by following hiking trails from the interpretive center or by driving a half-mile west of the center's entrance on Highway 86 to a turnout.
The Oregon Trail route followed the easiest grades wherever possible. Here, the trail came from the southeast across Virtue Flat. It headed northwest towards Baker Valley and the divide in the low hills to the north. In any place where level open ground permitted, wagons spread out rather than follow single file. There are three sets of ruts through this segment, however the second and third set are very faint.
Site Information
Location (22267 Oregon 86, Baker City, Oregon)
It is permissible to walk in the trail ruts on public land, but please help preserve the trail for others to see by avoiding any activity that might erode or damage ruts. If following trail rut traces, please get permission before crossing from public land to private land. Close any gates you open and pack out litter.
The path leads to a section of easily discernable parallel ruts extending to the right and the left.