California National Historic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
About California National Historic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.
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Driving times from California National Historic Trail, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
California National Historic Trail
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
Due to the length of the California National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: weather.gov
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at California National Historic Trail?
- Popular activities include Auto and ATV, Guided Tours, Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Junior Ranger Program.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of California National Historic Trail?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Oregon National Historic Trail (2 h 9 min), Pony Express National Historic Trail (2 h 11 min), Fossil Butte National Monument (4 h 4 min), Grand Teton National Park (4 h 34 min), Yellowstone National Park (5 h 47 min), Timpanogos Cave National Monument (5 h 58 min).