Have you ever taken a good look at a Conestoga wagon? Or tried to pack one? Does the piano stay or go? What about the dishes? Or are the bins of flour, sugar, rice and beans more important?
Trying to pack a Conestoga Wagon with appropriately sized barrels of “food” and “household items” (lightweight replicas of course) Is just one of the many fun and educational activities for all ages at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretative Center.
If you’re planning a trip through eastern Oregon and wondering about activities for all-aged members of your family, you need look no further than the Center, located just five miles east of I-84, off exit 302.
The permanent exhibit features life-sized dioramas of wagon trains, complete with cattle, horses, people and pets. Park Rangers offer guided tours and costumed volunteers are on hand to offer demonstrations on cooking and other pioneer-era activities – and answer questions. The theater provides multi-media presentations, films and even costumed entertainers singing and strumming songs of yesteryear.
Outdoors, there is a circle of covered wagons – visible from I-84 – and an outdoor lode mine and gold panning demonstrations. Four miles of hiking trails wind through the center’s 500 acres and many of the trails are crossed by ruts from the actual wagons that traveled the Oregon Trail.
There is no café, but there are picnic tables, vending machines and restrooms. And there is a gift shop.
The Center is open year-round but hours and events vary by season. Call 541-523-1843 for more information. Admission is free for visitors 15 and younger. Adult rates are $6 in the winter and $8 in the summer. Senior rates are $4 in the winter and $6 in the summer. All National Park/Federal recreation passes are accepted.
So turn back the clock and walk in the steps of the pioneers who traveled west across this country.
