| Follow historic footsteps along the Oregon Trail from the state's eastern
border to the Trail's official end in Oregon City. As part of the 150th anniversary of the
famous 1843 migration, 43 historic and scenic points of interest are detailed in a
self-guided tour brochure available from the Oregon State Tourism Division.
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Baker City and Flagstaff
Hill: Here, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, managed by
the BLM, is open daily with a complete re-creation of life along the Trail. From powerful
interactive exhibits to century-old ruts you'll re-live history. For a spectacular side
trip, take the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway for a view of North America's deepest river
gorge.
Crossing the Blue Mountains:
As you drop into the Grande Ronde Valley near LaGrande, you leave the sagebrush plains
behind. An artistic memorial plaza at Birnie Park in LaGrande conveys the pioneer
experience in this area, known to the Indians as “The Valley of Peace.” Continue
west on I-84 to the Spring Creek exit, and travel 2.5 miles on paved road to the Blue Mtn.
Crossing. Here, pioneers welcomed the shade of pine and fir trees, and cursed the rocks.
This Forest Service site offers gallery-quality interpretation as you view traces of the
Oregon Trail.
North to the Columbia River:
Follow I-84 along the Trail through the rich Umatilla Valley into historic Pendleton, and
west to Echo, crossing the Umatilla River at Fort Henrietta Park. Rest areas, interpretive
signs and visible ruts abound. The highway diverges from the Trail but parallels its
course, with side routes via Hwy. 207/74 through Ione and Arlington to see Well Springs,
Four Mile Canyon and other historic points.
Following the River Route:
Cross the Deschutes and reach The Dalles. Here, emigrants chose between rafting down the
Columbia or taking the rugged Barlow Road route around Mt. Hood. Museums and historic
displays tell of the difficult decision. History continues to unfold as you travel to Hood
River, and on to Cascade Locks where the pioneers were forced to leave the river and
portage their goods, long before the rapids were quieted by today's dams. Finally, river
travelers arrived exhausted at Fort Vancouver, where they crossed the river to travel into
the Willamette Valley.
The Barlow Road:
Imagine the choice. Just east of The Dalles, take Hwy. 197 south to Dufur, Tygh Valley,
Wamic and around Mt. Hood - the alternate, grinding passage forged in 1845 by Samuel
Barlow and Joel Palmer. Visit the Pioneer Woman's Grave near Government Camp, where
several hiking trails lead to historic sites. Continue through Rhododendron and see a
replica of the original tollgate that marked the final segment of this alternate toll
road, in operation from 1846 to 1919. Finally, reach Wildwood and view the ruts left by
pioneers near the Sandy River. In Sandy, Jonsrud Viewpoint overlooks the terrain of the
Barlow Road from Mt. Hood to Sandy.
On to Oregon City:
Travel to Eagle Creek to visit Foster Farm, the last stop for many pioneers before
reaching the end of the Oregon Trail. Then visit Baker Cabin near Carver, the only
cantilevered pioneer log cabin in Oregon. Finally, enter Oregon City, where after 2,000
miles and five months, pioneers found the end of the Trail at Avernethy Green.
Interpretive displays and exhibits commemorate the site.
For a copy of the self-guided Oregon Trail tour, visit chambers of commerce along the route, or contact Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, 490 Campbell St., Baker City, OR 97814, 1-800/523-1235. Or contact the Oregon Tourism Division, 775 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310. 1-800/547-7842
Return to Oregon: Discovering Our Routes!
