Following the Oregon Trail in Idaho

The Oregon Trail stretched the entire width of Southern Idaho, much of it is along the Snake River. There are a number of places to see ruts or visit areas of historic importance along the original route. Milner Historic Recreation Area, very close to Milner, ID in Central Idaho, is a one of the great places to see Oregon Trail ruts.

From the Interpretive Shelter, there’s a short trail to the ruts and you can hike along them. There’s no shade, so it’s pretty hot on a warm summer day. The Recreation Area is right on the Snake River and there is a small campground.

Not Oregon Trail related, but just across the Snake River from Milner, we found this strange looking structure. We stopped to take a closer look and found that it was an old bank vault.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, about 60 miles to the west of Milner, is another location with Oregon Trail ruts. It’s also the site of many fossils, that you can’t see.

There’s a small museum and visitor’s center in Hagerman, and then just south of town, there’s a short drive along the Snake River, with views over the river and of the ruts.