National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
5
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails. We offer a variety of interpretive programs and special exhibits year-round. One mile of well-preserved ruts lie on the Interpretive Center grounds, and are accessible by the trails or from a turnout on Highway 86 about a half-mile west of the Center's entrance.
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
619 reviews
Excellent
499
Very good
98
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Rich J
Naples, FL397 contributions
Aug 2020
By all means stop here. It is slightly outside of Baker City. It has extensive exhibits of the history of the Oregon Trail and what they all went through. This history is being forgotten in our country. They didn't charge admission. Just had a donation box. Highly recommended.
Written September 18, 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.
Traveling Foote
Baker City, OR29 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
If you're remotely interested in the history of the settling of United States, this is a great place to come. Although at the time I visited the visitor center was closed due to the virus. There were plenty of trails, all paved, with lots of interpretive information.
Written September 29, 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.
tumbleweedchris
Richland, WA1,018 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
I stopped by the Interpretive Center on my way through town. I had not seen the museum before the renovation, so I do not have a baseline to evaluate this on. At the museum, you will find a number of exhibits walking the visitor through the journey from east to west. The best part of the attraction is the diorama that starts the museum. It has interesting scenes, key facts, and a scenic backdrop. From there, the exhibits are hit or miss. Unfortunately a large chunk of the experience is reading signs, which is my least favorite museum experience. My thought is always that I could simply read about a subject online or in a book if all I wanted was text. There is little in the way of interactive elements, artifacts, or engaging set pieces. The movies that do play were clearly not updated as they appear to have a 1980s production value. There is one set piece that appears like it should have narration and show elements, but it was not working in the newly renovated museum. There were other unfinished parts of the museum as well. Disappointing as money was dumped into this thing for two years. In fact, they could not even take payment on the day I visited,so everyone got in for free. I did not have time for the trails, but I didn't see anything noted of particular interest. The trail ruts are easily accessible from the road that gets you here from Baker City. That was a nice touch. Overall though, this has some good facts and a nice opening scene, but doesn't deliver a very engaging experience on the whole. Kids will almost certainly be bored with this experience. There are far better museums on westward expansion like The Archway in Nebraska. This is a bit disappointing given the lengthy rehabilitation and the fact that everything was not in working order. It can't hurt to visit given the low admission price and average entertainment value, but should only be visited by history buffs as others will not find it engaging. This is coming from someone that likes history.
Written June 2, 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.
kp
Sarasota, FL27 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Sign said Museum was closed due to exhibit changes and the fences were locked. Didn’t see any sign as to date for reopening. Stop down the road near the trail information sign is located to walk along a wagon trail.
Written April 24, 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.
Bob P
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
There are many interesting and informative things to see and learn about at the Interpretive Center if you have never been before. We went back today after the 2+ years of renovations. I noticed only a couple new pictures. A part of an exhibit was missing or not installed. One of the three multi-media presentation area was simply dark, but looking closely in the unlit space reveled a sign stating "technical difficulties". A floor vent cover in front of the largest picture window was not screwed down and stuck up an inch off the floor. An empty corner had a sign promising a new exhibit in August. Closed over 2 years, but it will take a few more months to set a new exhibit in place or fix technical difficulties! I entirely understand that the renovation was massively structural. However, we were excited to go to the "Grand Reopening" but left disappointed. Nearly all the exhibits and parts of the building look as worn and dated as they ever did. (From Wikipedia: the building was only built in 1992 and already underwent a "major structural retrofit" in 2001) . If you have been before and are wondering what it looks like now? It looks exactly the same and leaves you questioning how 6.5 million dollars and 2 years were spent.
Written May 24, 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.
Barry E
Lake Stevens, WA572 contributions
Sept 2021
Since the Gov has shut down so much for covid, the center was closed. There are no crowds here, but well, you know. The actual trail was a thrill to see, but you don't need the center to see it. There is a pull out on the main road and a 50 yard, level walk to see it. Inspiring to be in the tracks of so many people that risked everything to get a new life.
Written September 29, 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.
Karen M
Rockwall, TX107 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
This is an excellent American adventure. Something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Happened to stop in when there was a concert for the July 4th weekend. Exceptional. Really enjoyed the trail around the facility to the viewpoint. Handicap accessible also.
Written July 4, 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.
Margaret M
28 contributions
Jun 2021
Due to Covid the center was not opened. There is an outdoor display. They do have some wagons on display. The view is wonderful. I recommend taking the trails down to see the ruts. They are markers and points of interest that make the hike down and worth the trip.
Written June 21, 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.
Marni Moore
Belfair, WA3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
The Center was closed due to Covid. Walked the trails and looked at the outside exhibits. Got my 10,000 steps in. Very disappointed since I drove over from the coast to see this place. Not sure why it was still shut down when the Whitman Site was open.
Written June 16, 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.
seethestates
Salem, OR9 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We enjoyed our visit to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Our group had a teen and an 8 year old. The Center is still closed due to COVID, but you can see the wagon encampment and hike the trails down to see the wagon trail ruts. I hiked the long way down (easy trail) to the ruts with an 8-year old. It was paved and had a gradual grade. I think it was around 1.5 miles down. Our teen hiked the Ascent trail down and it was 0.8 miles. We all hiked the Ascent trail back up and it was much quicker, although steeper. The trail maps listed the Ascent trail as difficult, but if you are somewhat active it probably won’t be too hard.
A ranger was available to answer questions and offer information. I rated this review 4 stars because it would have been nice if the Center was open.
A ranger was available to answer questions and offer information. I rated this review 4 stars because it would have been nice if the Center was open.
Written July 15, 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.
We are interested in doing the Oregon Trail without a car, so mostly hitchhiking and public transport. Any tips? We can't really find any parts of the Trail that are serviced by train or bus after Kansas City... Thanks a lot...
Written August 4, 2015
Trail T
Baker City, Oregon
there is very little public transit options available for most of the trail, and we can not recommend hitchhiking as a method of transit. there are folks who have walked the trail, and there are auto tour driving directions on the NPS Oregon National Historic Trail website
Written August 19, 2015
Cantrall
Auburn, Washington
We will be driving 84 from the north (coming from Hood River) and I came across this attraction. Can someone please tell me how long it takes to get to from the exit off of 84? Also, is it worth visiting if we can only take a look around the outside? We would love to visit the inside but we will have our dogs with us and we obviously cannot leave them in the car at all during the summer so we will only be able to stop if there is something worth visiting on the "outside" of the attraction. Thank you!
Written July 30, 2015
It's about 5 miles from downtown, which is on 84. I leave my dogs in the car with the a/c running and the doors locked. I had a large sign made that says, "A/C is on! They're listening to classic rock" so no overzealous person knocks out a window.
Written June 10, 2018
Trail T
Baker City, Oregon
Thank you all for helping out with posting our hours, as I just saw this question today. We are open daily from 9am-4pm (Pacific time) in spring and fall, and from 9am-6pm during the summer, mid-April to mid-October. You can always call to confirm hours of operation and weather conditions at 541-523-1843
Written February 17, 2015
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