Visit a replica of Fort Boise in Parma. Fort Boise began as a fur trading post, but when the trading declined the fort began servicing wagons. Floods kept the fort from flourishing and by 1854 the fort was deserted. Located along the Snake River near Twin Falls, the Shoshone Falls offer visitors the opportunity to park and enjoy lunch near where wagons once traveled.
Council Bluffs is where Lewis and Clark met with local tribes for a council meeting in 1804. It is located near the border of Iowa and Nebraska. The site became popular among Mormons traveling to Utah, but by 1848 the Mormon population had declined drastically. Visit the city's Western Historic Trail Center to learn about travelers who stopped at the site along the Oregon Trail. The center has maps, films and exhibitions for visitors on travelers' experiences in the area.
Built in 1839, the Shawnee Mission was typically the first stop for travelers on the trail. The mission was originally developed as a Methodist outpost. The outpost was built to teach Native Americans reading and writing. Stop by the mission in Fairway to tour original dormitory and classroom buildings. The mission is just on the northern border Kansas shares with Missouri. Alcove Spring is another Oregon Trail site you can schedule for your vacation. Alcove Spring served as a source of water for travelers. This made it a popular destination on the trail. Located in Flint Hills north of Blue Rapids, the site is now a 223-acre park where you and your family can hike and have a picnic. There are self-guided walking tours and wagon exhibits for visitors to explore.
Schedule a stop with your family to visit the Chimney Rock National Historic Site located in West Bayard. The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbot Visitor's Center located at the site offers games and exhibitions for the family. Kids can play Load the Wagon, where they pack a wagon with materials. The center is also where your family can view a video depicting the migration westward on the Oregon Trail. You can tour the Ash Hollow Historic District in the Ash Hollow Park. The park includes tours of the settlers' schoolhouse and Ash Hollow Cave, where fossils dating 30 million years have been discovered. A park entry permit is required.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located just outside Baker City in northeast Oregon. The center has living history demonstrations, artifacts and visiting exhibitions. Visit the two-mile trail where you can still see where covered wagons wore a path into the earth. The Dalles Mission was located along the Columbia River. The location became popular because of its location. The Cascade Mountains made it nearly impossible for wagons to continue on land. The wagons had to be disassembled and loaded onto rafts before being floated down the Columbia River. Today, travelers can visit the oldest standing house in the fort, The Rorick House. It is the location of the fort's historic museum.
The Whitman Mission was established by Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife, Narcissa, in 1836. The Whitmans not only offered supplies for travelers on the Oregon Trail, but also worked with the nearby Cayuse tribe. In 1847, there was an outbreak of the measles. Many Cayuse died from the disease, but the settlers survived. The Native Americans believed the settlers' religion had brought the disease and attacked the mission. The mission was burned to the ground and 13 people, including the Whitmans, were killed. A national memorial was created in honor of the Whitmans just southwest of Walla Walla. There is a museum that compares the lifestyles of the settlers and Cayuse, including artifacts and some of the Whitmans' belongings. Fort Vancouver is another popular destination for tourists on the Oregon Trail. The British outpost managed by John McLoughlin was the last stop for many travelers. They could restock supplies and rest before the last leg of their journey. The site is located just outside of downtown Vancouver. Visit the fort and have a glimpse of the fur trading activities, supply store and the McLoughlin House.
Independence Rock, located in Natrona County, is a nearly 2,000-foot long piece of granite that stands about 700 feet wide and nearly 130 feet high. Travelers on the Oregon Trail would carve their names and the date into the rock. It is believed that nearly 5,000 names were carved into the rock. Independence Rock is now apart of the Wyoming State Park. West of Independence Rock is the South Pass, which is considered one of of the most significant locations on the trail. Without the South Pass, travelers would not have been able to continue to the west coast. This gap in the Rockies allowed travelers to continue their voyage. It was also the mark for the halfway point of the trail. At the South Pass Historic Site, you will find 20 original buildings and gold mining demonstrations. The authentic restoration of the town will give you and your family an opportunity to experience the West of the late 1800s.
