National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

The interpretive center sits high up above the Virtue Flat valley overlooking the wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail. The valley is wide enough that the wagons could spread out and follow different paths. One of them is still easy to see. Get a closer look by following the trail that starts at the visitor center or the short trail off of Route 86.

 The exhibits in the interpretive center are excellent and allow visitors to follow the journeys of the travelers on the trail from their initial planning to their challenges with homesteading in Oregon. Kids can  plan their own journeys in an interactive area. 

The interpretive center is accessible. There are two miles of accessible paved trails that we didn't take because of the summer heat. Several short unpaved trails may also be accessible. An outdoor display of various types of wagons is accessible. The trail to the wagon ruts on Route 86 is partly accessible. The paved section ends abruptly and becomes rough gravel.  

 

The parking lot has long RV spaces. It was slow day for visitors so we parked closer to the center to avoid a uphill roll.  Center   44.8133, -117.72712