Oregon Trail Word Search

Words in the Oregon Trail word search

Every word used across the three levels, with a quick note on what it means.

wagon

Canvas covered cart that carried a family's food and tools.

oxen

Strong, slow animals most families chose to pull their wagons.

trail

The rough two thousand mile route west from Missouri.

river

Water crossings were among the most dangerous parts of the route.

prairie

Flat grassland the wagons crossed during the first weeks.

campfire

Fires were often fueled with dried buffalo dung on the plains.

settler

A person moving west to claim and farm new land.

oregon

The Pacific Northwest territory at the end of the trail.

mountain

The Rockies and Blue Mountains had to be crossed before snow.

supplies

Flour, bacon, and coffee packed to last about six months.

pioneer

One of the first travelers to use a new route.

missouri

State where most wagon trains gathered and started out.

crossing

Fording or floating a wagon over to the far bank.

landmark

A rock or peak used to check progress along the way.

buffalo

Bison herds hunted for meat and hides on the plains.

ferry

A flatboat that carried wagons over deep rivers for a fee.

yoke

Wooden frame that joined two oxen at the neck.

independence

Missouri town known as a main jumping off place.

chimney rock

Tall Nebraska spire that told travelers they were on course.

fort laramie

Wyoming fort where families rested and bought fresh supplies.

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