National Historic Trail

California National Historic Trail

California National Historic Trail is a National Historic Trail in California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

California Colorado Idaho Kansas Missouri Nebraska Nevada Oregon Utah Wyoming National Historic Trail No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A white canvas wagon sits in front of a large rock buttress with mountains in the distance. — Wagon at Register Rock in City of Rocks National Reserve · Photo: NPS Photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/cali

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

A junior ranger badge on a picture of a sandy desert. — Photo: NPS Photo

Become a California Trail Junior Ranger

Learn about the California Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the California National Historic Trail. Worksheets can be submitted either electronically or by mail.

Pets allowed

Junior Ranger Program

Birdwatching on the California Trail

Emigrants on the California Trail were introduced to many new plants and animals as they made their journey west. With over 2,000 miles of trail, through countless habitats, there are a number of places where you can have a similar experience!

Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed

Birdwatching

Check out Museums and Visitor Centers along the California Trail

There are a variety of museums and visitor centers along the California Trail. In some places, you may find more interpretive exhibits, information, and programs.

Fee applies

Museum Exhibits

See all 6 things to do in California →

Activities the NPS lists for California.

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingJunior Ranger ProgramMuseum Exhibits

Operating hours

The California National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a corridor that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness.

California National Historic Trail
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Due to the length of the California National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting.

Contact and directions

Phone: N/A
Email: [email protected]
Address: National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Coordinates: 42.4000, -108.7024· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
The California Trail Interpretive Center	—	—	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in California

Alcatraz Island Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Cabrillo National Monument Castle Mountains National Monument César E. Chávez National Monument Channel Islands National Park Death Valley National Park Devils Postpile National Monument Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site Fort Point National Historic Site Golden Gate National Recreation Area John Muir National Historic Site All in California

Nearest other NPS sites

Pony Express National Historic Trail CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY
Oregon National Historic Trail ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY
Fossil Butte National Monument WY
Dinosaur National Monument CO, UT
Grand Teton National Park WY
Yellowstone National Park ID, MT, WY

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/cali/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.