California National Historic Trail: Alerts, Map, Weather & Trailie Planner

About California National Historic Trail

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 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

Operating Hours

The California National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a corridor that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operation and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.

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Planning California National Historic Trail

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for California National Historic Trail. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.