Of all the different ways to explore Idaho, visiting the state’s many Oregon Trail sites is perhaps the most eye-opening. To glimpse the forts, wagon swales, and river crossings for yourself means appreciating the hardship these 400,000 migrants endured and the challenges they overcame in making a new life for themselves.
The day of the iconic covered wagon is long gone, but there is a modern equivalent of these so-called prairie schooners: the RV. In fact, just as thousands of families began their journeys westward by covering a farm wagon, many Idaho families start their excursions at the Gem State’s most trusted RV dealers.
What better way to pay tribute to the travelers who came before you than by exploring Idaho’s historic Oregon Trail sites in your RV? Here’s a list of four fantastic places to stop and learn about this renowned emigrant trail.
Realize the Risks of the Oregon Trail at John Lane’s Grave
As the wagon trains did nearly two centuries ago, this guide travels from east to west. Our first stop along Idaho’s Oregon Trail is at John Lane’s Grave in Caribou County.
Lane was on his fifth trip on the Oregon and California Trails when he died of an illness similar to cholera on July 18, 1859. A beloved wagon train captain, Lane received a full funeral with a carved marble headstone and footstone—extraordinary and extremely rare honors on the trail, as most who died were buried hastily in unmarked graves.
Recreate the Thrill of Stopping at Soda Springs
From Lane’s Grave, return to Highway 34 and follow it south until you reach the city of Soda Springs. There, you’ll find the natural phenomenon that captivated Oregon Trail travelers: hundreds of natural springs that spew forth carbonated water.
Even in an age where soda is readily available just about anywhere, Soda Springs is home to some impressive sights. There are a few places to spend the night, but if you’re traveling in one of the most spacious Super C RV for sale, your best bet is to continue west on Highway 30 until you reach Lava Hot Springs and its nearby campgrounds.
Learn Their Names at Register Rock
Follow Highway 30 to I-15, then head north to Pocatello and take I-86 west through American Falls. Where Rock Creek enters the Snake River, you’ll find Register Rock within the Massacre Rocks State Park. Register Rock is where many travelers carved their names and the dates of their stops.
One of the most amazing things about this route is that I-86 follows the same passage through the rocks that wagon trains used almost 200 years ago. A shelter protects Register Rock, but you can still get up close to see everything.
Three Island Crossing
Follow I-86 as it turns into I-84 and continue to Glenns Ferry, ID. South of town, on the northern bank of the Snake River, sits Three Island Crossing State Park. This is where wagon trains would ford the river until Gus Glenn built his ferry in 1869. From the frontage road, you can cross the river and check out the Three Island Crossing Overlook on the south side for a stunning view.
Families who started their trip by purchasing one of the outstanding Class B RVs for sale at Idaho’s favorite RV dealer will appreciate the state park’s RV sites, which make a great place to camp before you continue your journey.
Old Fort Boise Replica
Built by fur trapper Thomas McKay in 1834, where the Boise and Snake Rivers meet, Fort Boise was a trading post and prime destination for Oregon Trail emigrants. It was destroyed by a flood in 1853, but in 1982, a replica was built on the outskirts of Parma.
To get there, take I-84 through Boise and Caldwell, then exit at Highway 26 and continue for about 20 minutes.
This replica is an excellent site to explore. It gives you an idea of what the original fort was like and how glad travelers must have been to finally reach it—though they still had a long way to go before reaching the Willamette Valley.
About DDRV
From breathtaking mountain vistas to pristine rivers and crystal-clear lakes, there’s no limit to the adventures your family can enjoy in Idaho. With a new RV, ATV, or boat, you can experience every Gem State excursion to its fullest. With more than 40 years in business, families find the key to adventure at DDRV, the largest RV dealer Idaho has to offer. To this day, DDRV remains a family-owned business, and you can count on their friendly team to treat you like a neighbor, not a number. At DDRV, you’ll get top dollar for your trade-in, a thoroughly inspected used inventory, and the most Master Certified service technicians in Idaho. For all your outdoor adventure needs, turn to the RV dealer Idaho trusts: DDRV.
Discover the Oregon Trail with an RV from Idaho’s most trusted RV dealers, DDRV, at https://ddrv.com/
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