California National Historic Trail
Designation: National Historic Trail
Location: California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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
🚗 Directions
Those portions of the California National Historic Trail authorized by Congress include nearly 2,000 miles of historic trail that was once the primary "road" taken by farmers, enterprising business managers, gold-seekers, and fortune hunters who chose to make a new life on the California frontier. The route passes through ten states from Missouri to California.
Images
Wagon at Register Rock in City of Rocks National Reserve
Credit: NPS Photo
A creek in Carlin Canyon, Nevada on the California Trail
Credit: NPS Photo
Trail ruts on through Humboldt Wells in Nevada
Credit: NPS Photo
Devil's Gate was an important emigrant landmark in Wyoming.
Credit: NPS Photo
View of West Pass on the Carson Route of the California NHT.
Credit: NPS Photo
Wagon at Register Rock in City of Rocks National Reserve
Credit: NPS Photo
A creek in Carlin Canyon, Nevada on the California Trail
Credit: NPS Photo
Trail ruts on through Humboldt Wells in Nevada
Credit: NPS Photo
Devil's Gate was an important emigrant landmark in Wyoming.
Credit: NPS Photo
View of West Pass on the Carson Route of the California NHT.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, May 1
Sunny
High: 58.9°F | Low: 31.1°F
Humidity: 36%
Wind: 7.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 8
Sunrise: 06:09 AM
Sunset: 08:16 PM
Moon: Full Moon (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, May 2
Sunny
High: 67°F | Low: 38.1°F
Humidity: 28%
Wind: 10.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.9
Sunrise: 06:07 AM
Sunset: 08:17 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 38.6°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, May 3
Patchy rain nearby
High: 68.7°F | Low: 46.4°F
Humidity: 30%
Wind: 13.4 mph
Rain Chance: 79%
UV Index: 7.6
Sunrise: 06:06 AM
Sunset: 08:18 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (98%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 43.5°F
Cloud Cover: 79%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
California National Historic Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505
🏤 Mailing Address:
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
California National Historic Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505
📞 Voice Phone: N/A
✉️ Email: ntir_information@nps.gov