The California National Historic Trail traces the migration of farmers, settlers, gold miners and others who traveled by covered wagon from Missouri to California in the mid-1800s. The trail winds 2,000 miles from Missouri through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Oregon to central California. Major highways follow the arduous path once taken by settlers traveling by horseback and covered wagon and historic sites along the way commemorate the westward migration.

Updates on California

  • Blog Post

    The Longest Trail in the National Park System

    Jan 2016 | By Jennifer Errick

    The National Park System has 18,000 miles of trails through some of the most magnificent parts of the country, from remote wilderness paths to interpretive walking tours along city streets.…

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