The Ada County Oregon Trailhead opens visitors to acres of pristine ruts formed by the travel of thousands of pioneer emigrants and their wagons. Beginning with the first Oregon Trail emigrants in the early 1840’s, an estimated 50,000 people trudged across the area on their way to a better life in Oregon.
Thousands of wagons traveled down the hill to the southeastern portion of the trailhead and across the bench before locking their wheels and sliding down the basalt cliff to the river bottom. Freight wagons migrated through this area into the 1880’s to deliver goods to the Boise area, their wagon-ruts still evident today.
With numerous interpretative panels located at the kiosk and along the walkways, the visitor is informed about travels on the Oregon Trail and Kelton Road, pioneer life in the BoiseRiverValley, and other aspects of local history and animal life.
Preserving the rich historical significance of the area provides a tremendous opportunity to educate the public about the early history of Idaho and the emigrants who traversed the state on the Oregon Trail. Located within a few miles of downtown Boise, it opens opportunities for school field trips, walking and biking groups, and others to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and reflect upon the history of those who came before them.
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