Rate California National Historic Trail
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Historic Trail
Operating Hours & Seasons
California National Historic Trail
The California National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a corridor that passes through communities as well as wild areas and through different states and land ownership. Each location varies as to the hours of operation and access. Please check individual locations along the trail to plan your visit.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:-
- Monday:-
- Tuesday:-
- Wednesday:-
- Thursday:-
- Friday:-
- Saturday:-
Additional Information View More
- Please see individual sites for hours of operation across the California National Historic Trail:
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Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Entrance fees vary site by site
There are no user or entry fees for the California National Historic Trail. Fees may be charged at some trail-related federal, state, or locally owned historic sites and interpretive facilities. Please visit Places To Go (http://www.nps.gov/cali/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm) for an interactive map and extensive list of places to visit by state or our Links and Resources page for useful trip planning websites. Contact information is available for each site to call and find out about fees.
About
There are no user or entry fees for the California National Historic Trail. Fees may be charged at some trail-related federal, state, or locally owned historic sites and interpretive facilities. Please visit Places To Go (http://www.nps.gov/cali/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm) for an interactive map and extensive list of places to visit by state or our Links and Resources page for useful trip planning websites. Contact information is available for each site to call and find out about fees.
Gold Fever!
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. More than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen across 10 states on the California National Historic Trail.
Directions
Those portions of the California National Historic Trail authorized by Congress include nearly 2,000 miles of historic trail that was once the primary “road” taken by farmers, enterprising business managers, gold-seekers and fortune hunters who chose to make a new life on the California frontier. The route passes through ten states from Missouri to California. Please see our Directions page for more information on following the California National Historic Trail across the United States.
Weather
Due to the length of the California National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you’ll be visiting. The trail passes through 10 states.
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