Owned and operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs opened in 1997. A partnership with the National Park Service, the center interprets the Lewis and Clark, California, Oregon, and Mormon Pioneer Trails. The Western Historic Trails Center covers 480 acres of river bottom adjacent to the Missouri River and Interstates 80 and 29.

The great movement of people across the continent during the 19th century was of national significance to the United States. The trails have continued to evolve into routes for the Transcontinental Railroad, the Lincoln Highway, and our modern system of Interstates.

April 1–September 30: Thursday–Sunday from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

October 1–March 31: Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Closed on official state holidays: Nov. 11, Nov. 22–23, Dec. 25