The gravel McDonald Ferry Road meanders eastward toward the McDonald Crossing Interpretive Site and the Wild and Scenic John Day River, Dec. 21, 2017, by Greg Shine, BLM.

Thousands of resettlers traveling west on the Oregon Trail used the shallow river ford, known today as McDonald Crossing, to traverse the lower John Day River on their way to the Willamette Valley and lands beyond. Today, McDonald Crossing is a rare confluence where national historic trail meets national wild and scenic river. At the McDonald Crossing interpretive site –a short distance from the western, Sherman County riverbank –a historic monument, ramada and informational signs help interpret the Oregon National Historic Trail and the area’s history.

For more information, contact our Prineville District Office at (541) 416-6700 or visit at 3050 NE 3rd St., Prineville, OR 97754.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) in Baker City, Oregon, offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails. For more information, call 541-523-1843 or visit online at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/national-historic-oregon-trail-interpretive-center%22" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/national-historic-...</a>.

The mailing address is: National Historic Oregon Trail Information Center 22267 Oregon Hwy 86 PO Box 987