End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
4
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Official End of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City, Oregon. The visitor center is a state welcome center with free travel information, itineraries, and brochures. Also find the country store gift shop and visitor lounge with complimentary coffee and tea. The interpretive center offers the "Bound for Oregon" featured film, genealogy assistance for descendants of pioneers, and exciting and interactive exhibits that include period games and crafts like candle dipping and making a rag doll or journal. Outside the Interpretive Center, enjoy the heritage garden, a guided walk of one-thousandth of the trail, and Abernethy Green with pioneer lawn games and 24/7 signage implementing smart phone technology.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Oregon City Station • 2 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
198 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
64
Average
29
Poor
14
Terrible
6
wirenut1462
Aloha, OR170 contributions
Aug 2023
We went to this place on an nice summer afternoon in August and expected to see a fairly generous amount of Oregon Trail related exhibits and find information about the experience. Instead we found a very lackluster group of employed individuals who were unwilling or couldn't offer any additional information other that what building to go into.
While the cost of visiting this center is negligible, it should be noted that the cost of a ticket is not worth the price of admission. The gift shop is bigger than the actual museum/center that has the "artifacts" in hit. Much of the exhibit areas appear to be closed off to the public and again, the people that work there seem either reluctant or don't care to let a visitor know what they can or cannot see.
It was an extreme disappoint to us after seeing and hearing much about this center. Spend you money elsewhere because what this place has to offer can easily be viewed online.
While the cost of visiting this center is negligible, it should be noted that the cost of a ticket is not worth the price of admission. The gift shop is bigger than the actual museum/center that has the "artifacts" in hit. Much of the exhibit areas appear to be closed off to the public and again, the people that work there seem either reluctant or don't care to let a visitor know what they can or cannot see.
It was an extreme disappoint to us after seeing and hearing much about this center. Spend you money elsewhere because what this place has to offer can easily be viewed online.
Written August 12, 2023
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.
Joel G
Vancouver, WA138 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
I went here hoping to find out more history of the area. This was the worst of the museums in the area that I visited (The other two were Fort Vancouver and The Columbia Gorge Interpretive center).
The displays were cheesy and the descriptions were written on paper with very small type. In addition, it’s not ADA friendly. In the third section there are only stairs, and no ramps for the handicapped.
The displays were cheesy and the descriptions were written on paper with very small type. In addition, it’s not ADA friendly. In the third section there are only stairs, and no ramps for the handicapped.
Written December 1, 2023
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.
We appreciate your feedback and apologize that your experience was not as expected. We are ADA compliant, we have had a professional come to review our ADA compliance just in case. We hope you will be able to visit again and that your experience will be more enjoyable.
Written December 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tleeEvans
Houston, TX952 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Great place to learn about the problems settlers encountered on the journey across the country. Good movies, wonderful hands on displays for children. Has a nice gift shop and open outdoor space. Would go back with grandkids
Written April 11, 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.
desertduo
Portland, OR90 contributions
Jul 2023
An absolutely wonderful interpretive center! It captured the Oregon trail experience to make it seem as if we were right there with them. Extra exhibits we hadn't seen before, including what they packed in their wagons for the long trips, and what they would have weighed. Gave a totally different look at how life was for those traveling west on the Oregon trail. The grounds surrounding the buildings are beautiful with plenty of grassy areas to sit and rest or enjoy a picnic. Definitely a must-see place!
Written August 27, 2023
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.
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA8,649 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
While the location itself is significant there is not much to see or do.
Fairly decent grounds well maintained but not as many exhibits as you might hope for.
OK if you are in the area but not a destination location in itself.
Interpretative center is still closed due to Covid.
Fairly decent grounds well maintained but not as many exhibits as you might hope for.
OK if you are in the area but not a destination location in itself.
Interpretative center is still closed due to Covid.
Written May 21, 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.
Inspire13706
Rapid City, SD2 contributions
I am a history buff and really enjoyed my visit to the End of the Oregon Trail Center. The visit starts out with a live presentation of how the pioneers would have packed for their trip on the Oregon trail and then continues with a movie that follows the experiences of several different people along the trail. One important thing to know is that you can only go through the center as part of a group and the last group tour begins at 3:30pm. It would be a good idea to call ahead and make sure you know what time the tours begin, so you can plan to arrive on time.
Written May 9, 2004
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.
thunefeld
Borrego Springs, CA599 contributions
I spent three weeks following the Oregon Trail for 2000 miles starting in Independence Missouri. Along the way I visited dozens of museums and interpretative centers. While they varied in quality and interpretive value, this was the most disappointing. "Cheesy" is the description that comes to mind. It is only a shadow of what was when constructed and opened in 1993. Evidently funds were squandered in the 90s and the museum went bankrupt during the recession. It reopened in early 2014 under new management with very limited funds on a wing and a prayer. It shows.
Written August 29, 2014
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.
Thank you for your comment. The challenges to success are a journey; we believe the most important aspect of the journey is to stay true to the spirit of the pioneers and not get distracted by the challenges, just learn from the past, dream of the future and take action! We have made many business decisions to keep the “End of the Oregon Trail” history and attraction alive. While the majority of our visitors are very supportive and satisfied with the experience, some of you and us included know we can do so much better. We have dreams, some have become reality and some are yet to happen, we are keeping our eyes on the dreams. These dreams are a result of numerous comments, ideas and critiques from supporters, partners, visitors and our community at large. Thank you!
The economic downturn did change forever what projects grantors can finance. It is human nature to want sustainability and have it free however; that is never going to balance. Non-profits need to run like a business paying for the costs of doing business to stay sustainable. The commitment to be ethical and responsible for all of our obligations in the past and into the future will continue. We benefit from our strong partnerships with the City of Oregon City, Clackamas County Tourism, Oregon State Tourism and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Unlike corporations, Non-profits benefit by having the opportunity to have some of their projects funded by grantors and we are very grateful!
If you have suggestions on how to help make our site better, please contact our Director at 503-657-9336 x107. We hope to see you again as we continue to grow our programs at the official End of the Oregon Trail.
Written September 4, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JonDrury
Vancouver, WA86 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
Second visit to the museum in a week, the first was with granddaughters who dressed in pioneer clothes and tried living in a tent. The museum is marked by a large iron structure imitating the shape of the covered wagons that traveled to Oregon.
Though some may find the museum a little pricey, some other sites in the area are free, the museum was worth the senior price for me, as I have a relative who wrote 10+ books on pioneers that traveled the trail. As you enter, register in the book store on the left, and be sure the kids dress up in pioneer clothes provided. Nice bookstore.
As you enter the museum there is a large room where children can think through loading their wagon for a cross-country trip to Oregon, with the figures on what things cost, what they weighed, and the limits of space in the wagon.
As you move toward the theater, notice the candle station on the left. The docent did a great job of enabling the kids to make their first candles.
The twenty-five minute film was effective, narrated by an actor portraying John McLloughlin, who, as Chief Factor of Fort Vancouver, largely rescued stranded wagon trains 1842-1845, before the Barlow Road was built around Mt. Hood. The depiction of the trials of weather, loss of life, hunger, and physical exertion reflected the incredible task the pioneers faced.
The last phase of the museum highlighted some of the amazing stories of these pioneers.
The super, free detailed map of the Oregon Trail was free, done by Oregon Parks.
We will take others to the Museum as it is a unique view of a chapter of American History.
Though some may find the museum a little pricey, some other sites in the area are free, the museum was worth the senior price for me, as I have a relative who wrote 10+ books on pioneers that traveled the trail. As you enter, register in the book store on the left, and be sure the kids dress up in pioneer clothes provided. Nice bookstore.
As you enter the museum there is a large room where children can think through loading their wagon for a cross-country trip to Oregon, with the figures on what things cost, what they weighed, and the limits of space in the wagon.
As you move toward the theater, notice the candle station on the left. The docent did a great job of enabling the kids to make their first candles.
The twenty-five minute film was effective, narrated by an actor portraying John McLloughlin, who, as Chief Factor of Fort Vancouver, largely rescued stranded wagon trains 1842-1845, before the Barlow Road was built around Mt. Hood. The depiction of the trials of weather, loss of life, hunger, and physical exertion reflected the incredible task the pioneers faced.
The last phase of the museum highlighted some of the amazing stories of these pioneers.
The super, free detailed map of the Oregon Trail was free, done by Oregon Parks.
We will take others to the Museum as it is a unique view of a chapter of American History.
Written December 6, 2014
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.
Hello Jon
Thank you for your kind response; this is invaluable for the success of promoting our museum and programs, so thank you again. We hope you will continue to visit as we change our exhibits throughout the year and have special events including author visits, films, children's programs and summer concerts. We are interested in learning more about the books you mentioned. Can you please contact our Director Gail Yazzolino at 503-657-9336 x107 to provide more info? Thank you!
Written December 8, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bradshawgirl
Jackson, Miss.756 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
I loved this little museum! It's several adjacent buildings of artifacts and interactive displays, and each one has a big wagon cover frame over the top of it. You start in a spacious gift shop, where you can buy tickets, souvenirs and other items, then head into the first building.
As you move through the exhibits, you do so in sequential order as travelers on the Oregon trail. First, you go to a mercantile and pack your wagon. There, you also learn about the types of lives the pioneers would have been leaving behind - more developed social networks, better schools, less cholera. You see some of the promotional materials that would have enticed travelers to hit the trail. You also watch a very moving video that tells the story of several trail riders in their own words, dramatized from actual accounts.
Then, you trace your path along the trail, learning more about the flora and fauna of the region and finding out how many of the travelers fared on their journey. (The answer? Touch and go. It was unimaginably difficult to survive such a trek. Sickness, injury, accidents, bitter weather - all contributed to kill you off before you finally made it to Oregon City.) Finally, you end at another general store, where you basically thank God that you survived and stock up for making your life in a new place.
This was a really interesting place to learn about the kind of moxie it took to head for Oregon and the kind of physical toughness required to survive the trip. They have some outdoor exhibit space, too. I'm very glad we got the chance to stop by!
As you move through the exhibits, you do so in sequential order as travelers on the Oregon trail. First, you go to a mercantile and pack your wagon. There, you also learn about the types of lives the pioneers would have been leaving behind - more developed social networks, better schools, less cholera. You see some of the promotional materials that would have enticed travelers to hit the trail. You also watch a very moving video that tells the story of several trail riders in their own words, dramatized from actual accounts.
Then, you trace your path along the trail, learning more about the flora and fauna of the region and finding out how many of the travelers fared on their journey. (The answer? Touch and go. It was unimaginably difficult to survive such a trek. Sickness, injury, accidents, bitter weather - all contributed to kill you off before you finally made it to Oregon City.) Finally, you end at another general store, where you basically thank God that you survived and stock up for making your life in a new place.
This was a really interesting place to learn about the kind of moxie it took to head for Oregon and the kind of physical toughness required to survive the trip. They have some outdoor exhibit space, too. I'm very glad we got the chance to stop by!
Written September 7, 2014
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.
Thank you very much for your positive response! We are glad you enjoyed our site and felt engaged by the programs and exhibit layouts offered. We hope you will come back to see us again soon. Again, thank you for taking the time to comment - It really helps spread the word about our mission and the significance of our historic site.
Have a good day!
Written September 9, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kcjanae
Portland, OR38 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
I know they need funds to keep things like this going, but it wasn't really worth $9. The first room is set up to show what people lived like and what they brought with them on the trail with several plaques of info. The next room is all about roses, then you watch a cheesy film, which I thought could've been more informational, finished by a room set to look like a store. The garden was quite small, and I was expecting much more of the "country store" they speak of online. Speaking of online, their site is hacked so expect to read about viagra!
Written September 3, 2014
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.
Thank you for your comment. The challenges to success are a journey; we believe the most important aspect of the journey is to stay true to the spirit of the pioneers and not get distracted by the challenges, just learn from the past, dream of the future and take action! We have made many business decisions to keep the “End of the Oregon Trail” history and attraction alive. While the majority of our visitors are very supportive and satisfied with the experience, some of you and us included know we can do so much better. We have dreams, some have become reality and some are yet to happen, we are keeping our eyes on the dreams. These dreams are a result of numerous comments, ideas and critiques from supporters, partners, visitors and our community at large. Thank you!
The economic downturn did change forever what projects grantors can finance. It is human nature to want sustainability and have it free however; that is never going to balance. Non-profits need to run like a business paying for the costs of doing business to stay sustainable. The commitment to be ethical and responsible for all of our obligations in the past and into the future will continue. We benefit from our strong partnerships with the City of Oregon City, Clackamas County Tourism, Oregon State Tourism and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Unlike corporations, Non-profits benefit by having the opportunity to have some of their projects funded by grantors and we are very grateful!
If you have suggestions on how to help make our site better, please contact our Director at 503-657-9336 x107. We hope to see you again as we continue to grow our programs at the official End of the Oregon Trail.
Written September 4, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is there a restaurant in the museum? If not, are there places to eat nearby?
Written November 3, 2017
There isn't a restaurant at all. They do have a gift shop with snacks & drinks. There is a nice picnic area for lunch. I can't recall seeing anything near by to dine at.
Written November 7, 2017
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