The Oregon Trail

American history · pioneers · westward expansion · 1800s

Massive wagon route. The Oregon Trail stretched 2,170 miles from the Missouri River all the way to Oregon Territory, crossing the middle of what is now the United States.

Five states crossed. Travelers heading west had to cross the tough landscapes of Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and finally Oregon, facing deserts, mountains, and rivers along the way.

Big-wheeled wagons. Families loaded their belongings onto large-wheeled wagons pulled by oxen or horses, which were strong enough to handle the rough frontier roads and rocky terrain.

Whole families traveled. Thousands of pioneers, including children, packed up their homes and journeyed for months, hoping to start fresh lives in the fertile valleys of Oregon Territory.

Real emigrant path. The Oregon Trail was an actual route that early American settlers used during the 1800s to move westward and settle new territories.