Authors David and Kay Scott at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City , Oregon .
administered by the National Park Service and so many road trip options available to travelers , why do we consider the Oregon Trail to be America ’ s best ? For one thing , it delivers an interesting history lesson as well as stunning scenery . From the long-grass prairie of Kansas to the Columbia Plateau of Oregon , the journey is filled with impressive landmarks and excellent interpretive centers that offer a graduate course in America ’ s early history .
Another plus is a route that traverses mostly rural America with sections , especially through Wyoming , little changed from pioneer days . Other than Kansas City at the beginning and Oregon City ( a Portland suburb ) at the terminus , communities along the trail are of modest size . Topeka , North Platte , Casper , Pocatello , Twin Falls , Boise , Pendleton and The Dalles are pleasant communities easily navigated , even for seniors like us .
Roads following the trail typically have light traffic and at most trail landmarks we encountered few other travelers .
Exploring the many natural landmarks that created wonder among pioneers nearly 200 years ago makes this an extraordinary adventure . Standing where tens of thousands of pioneers once forded a river or ascended a hill is an experience long remembered .
Follow the trail in western Nebraska and walk along a lengthy depression created as oxen struggled to pull wagons up a steep incline at California Hill . Stand atop Wyoming ’ s Independence Rock and view the zig-zag path of the Sweetwater River pioneers followed and were required to ford several times on their way to the Continental Divide . Stroll the 9th fairway beside a lengthy trail depression at an Idaho golf course . Stand in five-foot deep ruts cut in sandstone by wagons and livestock lumbering through southeast Wyoming .
At several locations , today ’ s travelers can view names and dates etched in stone by pioneers . During our 2021 visit to South Pass , we stood in awe as elk raced nearby before effortlessly leaping a fence . Minutes later antelope sped in the opposite direction along the same fence row .
There is much to see and explore along the historic trail and the experience shouldn ’ t be rushed . We devoted approximately a month to each of our three trips . It can be completed more quickly , but plan on a minimum of two weeks . It is best to travel from east to west as did the pioneers . Reading a few books on Oregon Trail history prior to your own trip will result in a much richer journey . A suggested bibliography is available in our book . Happy trails .
Rock Creek Station was a popular stop for pioneers traveling along Idaho ’ s Snake River .
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