Oregon Trail Reserve
Oregon Trail Reserve provides a wide variety of opportunities to hike, mountain bike or ride a trail on horseback. It is a location full of history, as the Oregon Trail was the path for people to travel west from the 1840s to 1960s. Visitors can learn more about the history of the area through interpretive signs and overlooks scattered along the trails.
Conditions
No specific conditions or closures to report.
Review our full log of trail Condition Reports for the most current information.
Projects
Idaho Power Line Work
Idaho Power is conducting safety and reliability maintenance on a transmission line that runs through the Boise foothills. The company will repair hundreds of power poles and replace dozens more. This project will require some vegetation clearing to allow crews and their equipment access to poles for replacement or maintenance work. When the work is complete, Idaho Power will repair any disturbance to the landscape and plant native flowers and shrubs as part of the restoration effort.
Some temporary trail closures will be necessary. Vegetation clearing is scheduled to begin along the Rim Trail and Oregon Trail in the Oregon Trail Reserve the week of June 8, with access route work planned between mid-July and early August.
For the safety of both crews and trail users, please keep a safe distance from active work areas. We appreciate the community’s patience as this important reliability project moves forward.
Featured Trails
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Parking
There are two trailheads accessing trails within the Oregon Trail Reserve, both located along East Lake Forest Drive:
- Whitman Trailhead, corner of Orchid and Lake Forest Drive - 20 paved parking spots, 2 ADA accessible spots
- Kelton Trailhead, corner of Kelton and Lake Forest Drive - 9 paved parking spots, 1 ADA van accessible spot, 1 ADA accessible spot
Restrooms
There are restrooms available at the Whitman Trailhead.
Trail notes
- Views
- Historical interpretation
- Easy family hikes
- Easy mountain bike rides
- Water fountain and dog watering station at the Whitman Trailhead
Dogs are allowed on all Oregon Trail Reserve designated trails, but must be kept on-leash at all times to minimize disturbance to this historic area. Bikes are allowed on designated trails. Mountain bikers are asked to walk their bikes on the Kelton Ramp to avoid excessive disturbance to this historic site. Thank you for doing your part to protect this special place.