About the Center

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a Department of the Interior agency. The BLM is assisted by the Trail Tenders, Inc., a local non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Ox Yoke Construction at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

Hours of Operation:

  • Open daily except Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day
  • 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - April 1 through October 31
  • 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - November 1 through March 31

Mission Statement:

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill portrays and interprets the Oregon Trail experience and its related themes, while preserving and protecting its historic, cultural heritage, natural, and visual features. The Center serves as a focal point for the cultural heritage traveler, contributes a viable tourism industry for the area, and is committed to maintaining strong community partnerships.

Volunteers

Volunteer Sketching at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

Trail Tenders Incorporated is a non-profit volunteer group composed primarily of Baker County residents. They are dedicated partners with the Bureau of Land Management in operating the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. With more than 100 members, Trail Tenders provides on-the-ground volunteer support, manages the Center's gift shop, and raises funds which are donated to the Center for facility enhancement, exhibits, and educational and interpretive programs. They also help plan and conduct special events and public outreach activities.

In 1996, the group donated more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service to the Center. Guided by their bylaws and a cooperative management agreement with the BLM, Trail Tenders has significantly contributed to the successful development and operation of the Center, enabling more than one million visitors to achieve a valuable learning experience.