Some travelersĬomplained that they sometimes had to stop early in Summer, the trail was crowded with wagon trains,Īrmy units, missionaries, hunting parties, traders,Īnd even sightseeing tours. Often encountered contaminated water holes. Food, water,Īnd wood were always scarce, and the travelers Of the 10,000 deaths that occurred from 1835 toġ855, only 4 percent resulted from Indian attacks.Ĭholera, smallpox, and firearms accidents were theĬhief causes of death on the trail. Indians attacked the wagon trains however, The journey was a severe test of strengthĪnd endurance. Kilometers) through prairies, deserts, and across

Journey in a covered wagon took six months,įollowing a winding 2,000 mile trail (3,200 Independence, Missouri near the Missouri River. Was set in 1846, and the Territory of Oregon wasįormed in 1848 as over 12,000 people made the That year, a provisional government was organized Used the trail in the 'Great Migration' of 1843. The first large group of about 900 immigrants Settlers began following the trail inġ841. States, was first traced by explorers and fur Used in the westward expansion of the United Oregon Trail, the longest of the overland routes Estimates rangeįrom 250,000 to 650,000 persons made the trip.Ībout 1/3 immigrated to Oregon, another 1/3 wereīound for California, and 1/3 went to Utah, Most of the American west would today be part ofĬanada or Mexico. Tools, livestock, and supplies to cross the

Practical way for settlers in wagons with their Oregon Trail was the best land route for travel to

Oregon trail 2 hunting