Rivers and Trails Educational Materials
Oh, Ranger! Trails Less Traveled – Rivers & Trails
This guidebook describes selected national scenic, historic, and recreation trails, as well as wild and scenic rivers. Organized by state offices, each section features outstanding rivers and trails, fishing and hunting locations, and an array of recreational activities. You will also find information regarding permits and passes, public facilities, who to contact, and how to learn more.
Wild & Scenic Rivers Infographics
Prepared by an interagency task force for the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, these posters provide information on the history of the act, and on wild and scenic river values, such a fish and wildlife, geology and paleontology, history and culture, and outstanding water quality.
Just For Kids
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center has a variety of activity books, including the Pioneer Wagon Master Activity Book, the Junior Prospector and the Junior Naturalist. Check the FAQs about Kids on the Oregon Trail.
Explore pioneer life and learn about Native American traditions with the California Trail Interpretive Center's Junior Explorer Book. A major pathway of the California Gold rush, the California Trail presented extreme hardships and challenges for travelers. Visit the California Trail Interpretive Center on the web to learn more about this historic trail.
For Teachers
Classroom Investigation: National Trails
Guide students as they explore collaborations and conflicts between western emigrants and Native Americans. Students will examine the 1968 law that established the National Trails System and led to the designation of scenic, recreational, and historic trails across the country. The teaching guide concludes by presenting excerpts of pioneer diaries with evidence of both cooperation and conflict between the two cultures.
Classroom Investigation: Wild and Scenic Rivers
Activities help students locate wild and scenic rivers, explore the history of the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and create original poetry. Students use a web-based story map to examine the river values protected by the Act. They also navigate an interactive map to find the wild or scenic river nearest them.
Oregon Trail Education Resource Guide
This curriculum guide, annotated for teachers of grades 3-6, includes activities on decision-making, journaling, "trail travel math," and planning and packing for a wagon journey. Special features include pioneer word search and an Oregon Trail version of Bingo.
#Find Your Way
Looking for a nearby wild or scenic trail or river? Here are two interactive maps to help you Find Your Way:
