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California National Historic Trail

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California National Historic Trail

The road to California carried over 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s - the greatest mass migration in American history. More than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped west as "reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers."

The Basics

Hours:

The California National Historic Trail is recognized as a nationally significant resource relevant to the westward expansion of the United States. Although administered by the National Park Service, it is not a typical national park with borders. Rather, it is an historic "road" or route used by hundreds of thousands of emigrants between the 1840s and early 1870s as they made their way west to begin a new life or to seek their fortune.

Operating hours and seasons for trail resources and sites of interest along this 2,000 mile route vary with each site and facility. Many private and agency museums and interpretive centers exist from Missouri to California. Please visit the Links & Resources page for a listing of trail managers and contact information, as well as a bibliography of suggested reading materials.

Auto Tour Route Maps, which follow modern highways that approximate the historic route are available within this web site, and a list of Suggested Trail Sites to Visit will enhance your trail experience.

Address:

324 South State Street, Suite 200, Box 30
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Phone:

801-741-1012

Phone:

801-741-1012

Fax:

801-741-1102

Climate

The California Trail is over 2,000 miles in length and passes through or into eight states. Climate varies from season to season as well as by region. Trail visitors should check with regional sources for climatic conditions.

Link to our Denver Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Salt Lake City Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Los Angeles Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Redding Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Sacramento Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our San Francisco Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Carson City Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Ely Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Reno Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Ashland Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Portland Weather coverage for more information.

Link to our Salem Weather coverage for more information.