Regional Chapters

Local connections for members and non-members


OCTA has 11 regional or state chapters which support marking and mapping the trails and work with private landowners as well as government agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and the National Park Service on preservation issues.

Joining a chapter is a great way to get “on the ground” in OCTA because local chapters sponsor trail outings in their area and have frequent meetings to discuss trail history and preservation. Most of these events are open to members and non-members alike. Membership in regional chapters is voluntary, although in order to be a member of a local chapter you must be a member of national OCTA.

Many members join local chapters to get the best available information about issues and projects in that area. Every chapter welcomes members from all over. Most publish their own newsletters. Visit the chapter websites to get more information about what the chapter in your area is doing.

Covering the Emigrant Trails of Colorado

The mission of the Colorado-Cherokee Trail Chapter is to protect the legacy of the historic trails that traverse Colorado. We are particularly interested in promoting public awareness and preservation of…


man checks GPS at trail marker in field with wire fence and tall grasses
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Northeast Kansas

Most of our area is through towns or on private land. We care for numerous graves in our area: including Roush, Marshall, Attebery and Mastin. We also keep an eye…


map of western United States with marked routes of California Trail
Covering Emigrant Trails of California & Nevada

The emigrant trails in Northern California and Northern Nevada are the main focus of the California-Nevada Chapter. The principle goal is to identify, map, and preserve the hundreds of miles…


artist sketch of buildings in historic town St. Joseph, Missouri
Covering St. Joseph, Missouri and Doniphan, Brown & Nemaha Counties, Kansas

Saint Joe was a major jumping-off point for California and Oregon emigrants from 1844 into the '60s. The Saint Joe Road ran near the Sac and Fox Presbyterian Mission on…


California Trail marker in high desert landscape with mountains
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Idaho

Idaho is blessed with numerous trail routes and hundreds of miles of pristine trails. The Idaho Chapter focuses on exploring and preserving the emigrant trails across the state.


field of sunflowers with large sandstone rock formations
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Nebraska

Emigrant trails from "jumping off" places in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas were scattered across eastern Nebraska, but converged at Fort Kearny. After leaving the Fort, the trails ran adjacent to…


A wood gate stands next to a dirt path under tall trees
Covering Oregon, Washington & British Columbia

Our interest is in study, research, protection, preservation, and enjoyment of the historic trails in Oregon and Washington. We have the privilege of living in the territory where overland emigrants…


man sits next to water hole in rocky landscape
Covering Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas

Identifying and Preserving the Southern Trails to California.


stone entrance sign for Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails at Minor Park, Missouri
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Kansas & Missouri

The Trails Head Chapter area encompasses the greater Kansas City area to west of Topeka. The chapter's name signifies the beginning origins of the Oregon and California National Historic Trails.


metal trail marker next to trail ruts and mountain in distance
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Utah

The Utah Crossroads Chapter holds two general meetings annually at the Fort Douglas Military Museum in Salt Lake City. We also sponsor various Historic and Trails Tours throughout the year.


placid river flows through desert landscape with large red stone buttes in distance
Covering the Emigrant Trails of Wyoming

Wyoming OCTA's 175 or so members are dedicated to preserving and enjoying the most pristine of all the trails in the Oregon-California-Mormon-Pony Express trails system.