America's Best Road Trip Is Along A National Historic Trail
Where is the best road trip in the National Park System? Take a ride along the Oregon Trail.
- By David and Kay Scott - April 27th, 2026
Oregon National Historic Trail
South Pass: Gateway To The Oregon Territory And California Goldfields
South Pass, located in southwest Wyoming, was the key that opened the door for emigrant wagons and handcarts to cross the Rocky Mountains in the early and mid-1800s. The 20-mile wide, sagebrush-covered saddle topped a gradual incline that appeared more like a prairie than a mountain pass.
A Touch Of Delight On The Oregon Trail
Of 19 national historic trails administered by the National Park Service in conjunction with several other federal agencies, four – California, Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express - follow the Platte River Valley across Nebraska. Both the California and the Oregon National Historic Trails pass through Ash Hollow, a favorite stop for many pioneers as noted in their journals.
Be Surprised By America's National Parks
The two of us have enjoyed a half century of travel, much of it devoted to visiting America’s national parks. The initial three decades involved travel in a series of four Volkswagen campers, a vehicle we loved, but that disappeared in 2004 from VW dealers in the United States. If only the company would export its California van to the U.S. More recently we tented and stayed in national park lodges. The many national park visits offered some wonderful surprises including these ten that we seem to remember best.
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center To Lead Trek To Pioneer Graves
The Oregon Trail is this nation’s longest graveyard. Nearly one in ten emigrants who set off on the trail did not survive. Although death was not uncommon along the pioneer trails, designated marked gravesites were. Lack of materials, time, weather conditions, and terrain were all reasons that emigrants did not bury the ill-fated. However, despite the mass westward migration ending over 150 years, some pioneer grave sites are still visible.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
