Could you survive The Oregon Trail? An emergency medicine doctor offers tips on how to not die in the great outdoors

Medicine and technology may have advanced, but the dangers of the wilderness remain unchanged. The Oregon Trail game provides timeless tips on how to enjoy nature safely.

By: Elaine Reno, University of Colorado Anschutz, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 8, 2026

Words: 1,572

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Elaine Reno, University of Colorado Anschutz

If you grew up in the United States in the 1980s or ’90s, chances are you remember The Oregon Trail. For many like me, it was our first computer game and our first introduction to wilderness survival. We hunted buffalo, forded rivers, broke wagon wheels and, of course, learned about dysentery years before Google even existed, all while hoping our group would make it to Oregon City …

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