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Home > The Drives > Oregon National Historic Trail > Key Landmarks & Attractions > Three Island Crossing
Three Island Crossing
Three Island Crossing is the general name for the place where Oregon Trail travelers crossed the Snake River. Two different crossings in the area were labeled Three Island Crossing. One crossing was a ford that did not require swimming or floating, and it was called Three Island Ford. Another crossing one mile upstream was called Two Island Crossing. It was more difficult because wagons had to be floated across the river and men would swim across to pull the wagons out with ropes. Since most emigrants believed the two crossings were the same, the area became known as Three Island Crossing. This crossing area was one of the most famous on the Oregon Trail and remained in use until 1869, when Gus Glenn built a ferry about two miles upstream. An interpretive center and views of the crossing are located in Three Island Crossing State Park.
