National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, located near Baker City, Oregon, brings to life the historic journey of pioneers who traveled westward on the Oregon Trail in the 19th century. This interactive museum and outdoor site illuminates the challenges, triumphs, and profound impact of this historic migration that shaped the American west. Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase the daily lives of the pioneers and the landscapes they traversed. The exhibits also highlight the cultural connections and collisions of the Native Americans and Euro-American emigrants involved in this monumental movement of people.

Set on a hillside with stunning views, the center features hands-on exhibits, life-size displays, and a replica wagon camp. The 500-acre site includes remnants of the historic Flagstaff Gold Mine and original ruts carved by pioneer wagons. Through engaging presentations and programs, the Center honors the legacy of the Oregon Trail, providing a fascinating look at the hardships and adventures that defined this pivotal chapter in American history.

Hours and Admission

Winter Hours: Open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm.

Winter Admission: $5 for age 16 and up, $4 for seniors, good for two days with receipt

Summer Admission: $8 for age 16 and up, $6 for seniors, good for two days with receipt

Holiday Closures: Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Fee-free Days: January 25, February 22, March 29, April 26, June 14, June 19, July 16, National Public Lands Day (last Saturday in September), Haunting on the Hill (typically last Saturday in October), November 27, December 2025

Address

22267 Hwy. 86

Baker City, OR 97814

RV and bus parking is available.

Interpretive Center Map

Features and Services

Begin your journey through the Trails Center by exploring the life-sized replica wagon train. Continue through the interactive galleries or the outdoor trails and historical features. The Center’s knowledgeable staff are always available to help you have a positive experience.

Ranger programs may be available during your visit; check the Activities and Events page in advance and look for posted signs when you arrive for same-day events. Self-guided activities can be picked up at the front desk anytime, including a self-guided tour.

Special Events

See the Activities and Events page for special events including Oregon Trail Days, guest presentations, living history demonstrations, and Haunting on the Hill.

School Groups

See the For Educators page for information about bringing students on a field trip to the Trails Center, classroom visits, and distance learning opportunities. Resources for educators, including self-guided field trips and lesson plans, are also available.

To schedule a 15-minute ranger talk for your group at the wagon encampment area (weather permitting), please call 541-523-1843 or email BLM_OR_NH_Mail@blm.gov.

Get Involved

• Partners: The National Historic Oregon Trails Interpretive Center is operated by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Interior. The Center is supported by Friends of NHOTIC through a partnership with Crossroads Carnegie Arts Center.
• Volunteers: We welcome volunteers to help further the mission of the Center and the BLM. There is a volunteer opportunity for everyone! Contact us for more information. Donations are also welcome.

Accessibility (ABA/ADA)

Interpretive Center Accessibility Features Flickr Album

The site has 3 parking areas. The lot closest to the center has 4 accessible parking spaces large enough to accommodate vehicles with a side lift or ramp for a mobility device. This lot has 21 other spaces including some that are pull-through spaces for RVs and buses. Curb cuts provide easy access from the parking lot to the paved paths leading to the center and the adjacent boardwalk.

Inside the Interpretive Center are 2 restrooms with flush toilets, one of which is in an accessible stall. There is a drinking fountain and water bottle fill station at the entrance of the restrooms.

Behind the information desk in the Interpretive Center is a theater that has bench seating and an open space in the back for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. There are wide walkways that wind through tactile interpretive exhibits of a wagon train, some of which might be too high for wheelchair users to easily view. The center also has dress-up exhibits. Visitors with noise sensitivity should be aware that the interior of the center can be very loud, with numerous audio/visual exhibits operating throughout the facility.

Near the center are 4 connected picnic shelters with 4 accessible parking spaces that each have an access aisle to accommodate vehicles with side lifts or ramps. The farthest left picnic table has an extended end to accommodate wheelchair users.

From the center’s back patio visitors can access approximately 2 miles of paved trails, which are 30 inches wide and less than 2 percent grade. Several benches without arms are scattered along the paths.

The Flagstaff Hill Loop Trail is an easy ½-mile paved loop around the Interpretive Center and the Wagon Encampment. There is also a short, easy paved trail off Oregon Route 86 that leads to the ruts.

The Panorama Point Trail, off the Flagstaff Hill Loop Trail, is a moderate paved trail that leads 0.75 miles up to Panorama Point and down the other side, on the 0.4-mile Mountain Ash Trail, to the Oregon Trail. Switchbacks along the Panorama Point Trail offset the steeper grade. Along this trail is the Lode Mine, Stamp Mill, and 3 shade shelters—one at the top, one halfway up, and one at the intersection with the unpaved Ascent Trail.

There are also 1.6 miles of hard-packed dirt paths leading to the Oregon Trail ruts. These paths were not designed with accessibility in mind, although they have only 2 to 4 percent grades. The paths include the Ascent Trail (0.8 miles), Auburn Burnt River Spur Trail (0.4 miles), and Eagle Valley Railroad Loop trail (0.4 miles).

A concrete path leads to a partially shaded boardwalk interpretive area next to the Oregon Trail wagon ruts. This structure has vertical and angled interpretive panels discussing the area, some wooden benches, some more open areas and some areas with several vertical posts, which might be difficult to navigate through for visitors using mobility devices when it’s crowded.

Other interpretive panels on the history of the Trail are distributed throughout the site. These panels are at height appropriate for people who use wheelchairs.

Contact Us

541-523-1843
BLM_OR_NH_Mail@blm.gov