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.

View of West Pass on the Carson Route of the California NHT.

View of West Pass on Carson Route

Devil's Gate was an important emigrant landmark in Wyoming.

Devil's Gate, Wyoming

Trail ruts on through Humboldt Wells in Nevada

A visitor reads a wayside exhibit at New Fork River Crossing Historical Park in Wyoming

A creek in Carlin Canyon, Nevada on the California Trail

Wagon at Register Rock in City of Rocks National Reserve

California National Historic Trail

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Atlantic City/South Pass

South Pass Historic Mining Area

Miner's Delight

Red Canyon Overlook

Sweetwater Canyon