National Oregon / California Trail Center
National Oregon / California Trail Center
National Oregon / California Trail Center
4.5
About
The National Oregon/California Trail Center is at the junction of US 89 at 320 North 4th Street. The Trail Center Depicts the 2000-mile trek on the Oregon Trail in "Living History Tours." A wagon master guides visitors through an interactive tour that includes a ride in a simulated covered wagon ride. The rails and trails museum within the center displays artifacts, diaries, relics and pioneer memorabilia of Bear Lake Valley.Living history tours 10-5, May-September or by appointment in groups of 15 or more.
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- RecreationVNew York City, New York417 contributionsThis is a Hidden Gem of a Museum!Small but really well organized and presented museum. Sign up for the tour, essential for appreciating this museum. Before you enter you are met by the 'trail leader' who answered loads of questions and explained about life on the Oregon Trail. We entered the museum and explored some artifacts as our trail leader (who remains in character) 'prepared' for the journey. Then into the wagon as your 'trip' begins, and you listen to some diaries of travelers. The wagon ride is quite rocky and you REALLY get a feel for how rough and challenging the trip must have been. After you disembark from the wagon you are met by a 'mother' on the trail who shares her thoughts about her life and experiences. The tour is about 40 immersive minutes long. After we spent some time at the wall of paintings which shows how the pioneers traveled and the challenges they faced. This is all on the first floor. Upstairs was a quilt exhibit, some of which were very intricate. Downstairs is a Rails and Trails Museum with a small working train exhibit. And many locals have contributed artifacts from the early 1900's to WWII, which are on display. Right next door is the National Forestry Service office. Not really geared to visitors, the Ranger squeezed in a few minutes to share with us what they do and how they track forest fires. And we got a 'Passport' stamp too. Overall we spent about 2 hours here.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 1, 2024
- Robert D4,657 contributionsGreat living history experienceIn the town of Montpelier, I visited the National Oregon/California Trail Center. They have a living history experience. Texas Jeff took us on a simulated Prairie Schooner Wagon Ride to the Clover Creek Campsite, located at the spot where the museum is today. Texas Jeff told us about the life of the pioneers and their difficult journey. Then you can explore the museum exhibits on your own. I enjoyed my visit very much.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten July 5, 2024
- Jo_and_TomAnna, Ohio2,052 contributionsSurprising enjoyable small museumOn our way to Salt Lake City with our Caravan Tour, we stopped at this museum to see it and take lunch break. The museum has an interpretive journey on Oregon trail. The first stop is at the Wagon Master's area where he discusses what you need, problems on way, food, what happens to that nice piano you think you need and throw away etc. The next stop was see how it felt to ride the wagon with bumps and grinds. The last stop was camp site where guide explained some of day to day life was. The museum has small room downstairs which has various antiques and information of life of Montpelier. They tried to put materials in order with lack of space the items tended to spill over. What was very interesting were paintings which depicted various areas of Oregon trail what a task they had to travel. The paintings weren't complete since artist became ill and couldn't complete. Upstairs they had various quilts for sale both local and regionally. All beautiful, didn't have prices on them. Lastly they had small gift shop with various items for sale both local and small items. Picnic tables under shelter are available - bring your own or go across street to Artic and either take out or eat in.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Palomino922
Virginia Beach, VA1,068 contributions
Aug 2021
This is a gem of a stop. There is an area within the center that an interpreter can guide you through. In the center is supposedly remnants of the exact location of a campfire from the Oregon Trail. You can feel the actual dirt. His commentary was so interesting. He spoke in the first person..."I'm a trapper who became a trail guide...' Apparently this area is has a fee for entrance but it seems he took exception to our tour group. Upstairs are gorgeous handmade quilts hanging on the walls and on Mondays, the ladies work on quilts in the back room. Lovely artwork. There is an interesting gift store and small cafe....and of course rest rooms.
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony K
Moreno Valley, CA944 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
A good overall Oregon Trail informative experience on what it would of been like. You have to pay extra for the Living History Tour which where you learn about traveling on the Oregon Trail and rake simulated bumpy ride in a Covered Wagon for about 4-5 minutes while listening to some diaries being read to you. The basement is a museum of all kinds of antiques etc found/donated from surrounding area. The entrance are has a wall of 44 really cool paintings depicting travel on the Oregon Trail. In each painting the Artist hides a picture of his face, a Native American and his wife’s name “ BEV”. It’s kinda fun to try and find all 3 in every Painting…we didn’t but found a lot of them. Also there is a huge mural painted by same artist on wall entering Living History Tour area. All in all they’ve done a good job.
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MNDoodles
Stillwater, MN680 contributions
Jun 2021
We spent two fun and educational hours at this awesome museum. For a small charge, take the guided interactive tour to really get a taste of what life was like on the Oregon trail. You can view some exhibits at no charge, and shop in the well-stocked gift shop, but don’t miss the guided tour. There also was a beautiful quilt exhibit upstairs, some are for sale made by locals. The gift shop has great selections for adults and kids, unique items I hadn’t seen before, like natural raspberry syrup. Downstairs are many artifacts from early pioneers and settlers of the community. We had fun using a gorgeous old cash register and looking at the cheesemaking equipment from early Swiss immigrants. This place gets a high five from us. We highly recommend it for all ages.
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LD W
2 contributions
Jul 2019
The town of Montpelier is to be commended for its citizens' effort to re-create an important part of its history and that of the American West. However, unfortunately there was Ilittle on display and I learned almost nothing new. "Re-enactors" found it difficult to stay in character and "in the past" (as often is the case in such reenactments). The food was served by gracious hosts, but was terrible (cubed chicken in melted cheese on a cold hamburger bun and drink mix lemonade) in fake "covered wagon" booths accompanied by modern day slide shots of local scenery. Enjoyed the display of quilts, though.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShannonKL
9 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
This museum and the people who guide you through it bring the history of one of the most amazing events in American history come alive as if you were a traveler. Please don’t miss the opportunity to “experience” the westward movement in the 1800’s. Truly a gem!!!!
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RecreationV
New York City, NY417 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Small but really well organized and presented museum. Sign up for the tour, essential for appreciating this museum. Before you enter you are met by the 'trail leader' who answered loads of questions and explained about life on the Oregon Trail. We entered the museum and explored some artifacts as our trail leader (who remains in character) 'prepared' for the journey. Then into the wagon as your 'trip' begins, and you listen to some diaries of travelers. The wagon ride is quite rocky and you REALLY get a feel for how rough and challenging the trip must have been. After you disembark from the wagon you are met by a 'mother' on the trail who shares her thoughts about her life and experiences. The tour is about 40 immersive minutes long.
After we spent some time at the wall of paintings which shows how the pioneers traveled and the challenges they faced. This is all on the first floor.
Upstairs was a quilt exhibit, some of which were very intricate. Downstairs is a Rails and Trails Museum with a small working train exhibit. And many locals have contributed artifacts from the early 1900's to WWII, which are on display.
Right next door is the National Forestry Service office. Not really geared to visitors, the Ranger squeezed in a few minutes to share with us what they do and how they track forest fires. And we got a 'Passport' stamp too.
Overall we spent about 2 hours here.
After we spent some time at the wall of paintings which shows how the pioneers traveled and the challenges they faced. This is all on the first floor.
Upstairs was a quilt exhibit, some of which were very intricate. Downstairs is a Rails and Trails Museum with a small working train exhibit. And many locals have contributed artifacts from the early 1900's to WWII, which are on display.
Right next door is the National Forestry Service office. Not really geared to visitors, the Ranger squeezed in a few minutes to share with us what they do and how they track forest fires. And we got a 'Passport' stamp too.
Overall we spent about 2 hours here.
Written April 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York4,657 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
In the town of Montpelier, I visited the National Oregon/California Trail Center. They have a living history experience. Texas Jeff took us on a simulated Prairie Schooner Wagon Ride to the Clover Creek Campsite, located at the spot where the museum is today. Texas Jeff told us about the life of the pioneers and their difficult journey. Then you can explore the museum exhibits on your own. I enjoyed my visit very much.
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg J
Spring, TX69 contributions
Jul 2020
Arrived shortly before opening day so we were one of the first visitors of the year. Texas Jeff conducted our exclusive tour. He was great as was the museum. It was amazing to see all the original history they had collected. A very well thought out museum. We learned quite a bit about the journey, timing, conditions, etc.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roxann K
Ann Arbor, MI7 contributions
Aug 2021
We were looking for something to do on East side of Idaho, and came upon this museum. We were amazingly surprised at how cool it was. The displays they have set up make you feel like you are actually on the trail heading west. This is one of the most innovative museums I have come across. And, being a fundraiser, great job on the donor wall!!! We live pretty far away, but if I am ever in this area again, I will definitely visit again. The staff and volunteers are super-super friendly. Well Done.
Written January 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo_and_Tom
Anna, OH2,052 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
On our way to Salt Lake City with our Caravan Tour, we stopped at this museum to see it and take lunch break.
The museum has an interpretive journey on Oregon trail. The first stop is at the Wagon Master's area where he discusses what you need, problems on way, food, what happens to that nice piano you think you need and throw away etc. The next stop was see how it felt to ride the wagon with bumps and grinds. The last stop was camp site where guide explained some of day to day life was.
The museum has small room downstairs which has various antiques and information of life of Montpelier. They tried to put materials in order with lack of space the items tended to spill over. What was very interesting were paintings which depicted various areas of Oregon trail what a task they had to travel. The paintings weren't complete since artist became ill and couldn't complete. Upstairs they had various quilts for sale both local and regionally. All beautiful, didn't have prices on them. Lastly they had small gift shop with various items for sale both local and small items.
Picnic tables under shelter are available - bring your own or go across street to Artic and either take out or eat in.
The museum has an interpretive journey on Oregon trail. The first stop is at the Wagon Master's area where he discusses what you need, problems on way, food, what happens to that nice piano you think you need and throw away etc. The next stop was see how it felt to ride the wagon with bumps and grinds. The last stop was camp site where guide explained some of day to day life was.
The museum has small room downstairs which has various antiques and information of life of Montpelier. They tried to put materials in order with lack of space the items tended to spill over. What was very interesting were paintings which depicted various areas of Oregon trail what a task they had to travel. The paintings weren't complete since artist became ill and couldn't complete. Upstairs they had various quilts for sale both local and regionally. All beautiful, didn't have prices on them. Lastly they had small gift shop with various items for sale both local and small items.
Picnic tables under shelter are available - bring your own or go across street to Artic and either take out or eat in.
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie,
Becky Smith, Executive Director of the Oregon Trail Center. Were you asking about becoming a member of the Oregon Trail Center Society, located in Montpelier, Idaho? If so, where are you located and would you be able to attend the annual meeting held in Montpelier, Idaho or would you be happy with an annual newsletter? When you join the Oregon Trail Center Society, you can join on two levels. As a business, you can join for $1,500 and have your company name on all the events put on by the Center and free advertising for your business. You will also be able to hold meetings at the center room rental free.
If you join as an individual, you can donate from $100 to $500. At the $100 level you receive an annual newsletter informing you of events, fundraising and the general status of the center as well as a recap of the center's year financially. If you choose the $500 level, you are welcome to the annual meeting which includes a meal at no charge. You are welcome to use the center for meetings twice a year. Please advise us of how involved you wish to become and if you join will it be a one time donation or an ongoing donation?
Happy Trails!
Becky Smith, Executive Director
Oregon Trail Center
320 N. 4th St.
Montpelier, ID 83254
(208) 847-3800
Written April 9, 2018
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