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* Missouri River: The Missouri River was a crucial starting point for many settlers on the Oregon Trail. They would travel by steamboat up the Missouri River from St. Louis, Missouri, to various jumping-off points, including Independence, Missouri, or Council Bluffs, Iowa. These towns provided access to the Great Plains and were major supply hubs for the journey ahead.
* Platte River: Once on the Great Plains, settlers followed the Platte River westward. The Platte River valley provided a relatively easy path through the vast prairie, with abundant water and grazing for livestock. It also served as a natural highway, allowing settlers to travel in large wagon trains for safety and mutual support.
* Rocky Mountains: The Rocky Mountains presented a formidable barrier for settlers on the Oregon Trail. They had to find passes through the mountains, such as South Pass in present-day Wyoming, which was the most commonly used route. These passes were often treacherous and required careful planning and navigation.
* Columbia River: After crossing the Rocky Mountains, settlers followed the Snake River and then the Columbia River westward to Oregon. The Columbia River provided a navigable route for much of the journey, allowing settlers to travel by boat and transport their supplies more easily.
* Willamette Valley: The final destination for many settlers on the Oregon Trail was the Willamette Valley in present-day Oregon. The Willamette Valley offered fertile land, abundant resources, and a temperate climate, making it an attractive destination for agriculture and settlement.
In summary, the natural geography of the United States, including the Missouri River, Platte River, Rocky Mountains, Columbia River, and Willamette Valley, shaped the route that settlers on the Oregon Trail followed. These geographic features presented both challenges and opportunities, and settlers had to adapt and overcome them in order to successfully complete their journey westward.