The Lewis and Clark Trail is a United States National Historic Trail commemorating the journey of the 1804-1806 Corps of Discovery expedition that explored the U.S.A.'s newly acquired Louisiana Purchase and beyond. Part of the reason for the expedition was political; the American government wanted to assert its claim to the Oregon Territory which both Britain and Spain also claimed.
Starting in Illinois, the route follows the Missouri River to the headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, then over the Continental Divide. From there it follows the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific Ocean near Fort Clatsop Oregon. The expedition paved the way for the wave of colonization known as the "Wild West", and the parallel Oregon Trail.
Understand
See also: Early United States history
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is a trail of approximately three thousand seven hundred miles (6000 km), extending from Wood River, Illinois, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, and following the outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Today's trail is a joint effort of many organizations and agencies. Although the Trail is administered by the National Park Service, sites along the Trail are managed by federal land management agencies, state, local, tribal, and private organizations.
North Dakota, like many other states along the Missouri, has designated a "Lewis and Clark Trail" following the river on both sides. Also common to these states is the naming of the state highways running alongside the rivers; 1804 on the east side and 1806 on the west. In North Dakota the 1804/1806 signage can be spotty, but the "Lewis and Clark Trail" signs are always there.
Prepare
Get in
There are two alternate starting points: Bismarck and Mandan.
Drive
This itinerary discusses two paths: from Bismarck to Williston on highway 1804, and from Mandan to Watford City on highway 1806.
From Bismarck, go north on 1804 and follow the Lewis and Clark Trail signs. From Mandan, go north on 1806 and follow the Lewis and Clark Trail Signs.
You'll see the Cottonwood forests of the Missouri Valley, and depending on how close you stay to the river, you'll come across plenty of interesting things.
Notable Places along the East Bank
Notable Places along the West Bank
- Cross Ranch State Park near Stanton
- Lake Sakakawea State Park near the Garrison Dam
River crossings are located at
- Buford, on State Highway 58.
- Williston, on US 85 southwest of town.
- New Town, on State Highway 23 west of town.
- Garrison Dam, on State Highway 200.
- Washburn, on State Highway 200A.
- and of course Bismarck/Mandan.
By train
Amtrak's Empire Builder follows part of the route in North Dakota and Montana. The National Park Service seasonally provides interpreters aboard the Empire Builder who explain Lewis and Clark's trip. The Portland branch of the Empire Builder follows their route on the Columbia River for several hundred more miles.
Boat
It is possible to retrace most of the route the same way Lewis and Clark did--by boat--on the Missouri and Columbia Rivers.
Do
Illinois
- Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, #1 Lewis & Clark Trail, Hartford, IL 62048, 38.8023°, -90.1021°, +1 618 251-5811.
Missouri
- Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial), 11 North 4th St, St. Louis, 38.6246°, -90.185°, +1 314 655-1700. 2018-09-01
- National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W Pacific, Independence, 39.087222°, -94.419444°, +1 816 325-7575. 2020-02-03
- The Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Center, Bishop's Landing, 1050 Riverside Drive, St Charles, MO 63301, +1 636 947-3199.
Kansas
- Frontier Army Museum, 100 Reynolds Ave,Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027, +1 913 684-3767.
Iowa
- Lewis and Clark State Park, Route 1, Box 104, Onawa, IA 51040, 42.045753°, -96.169584°, +1 712 423-2829.
- Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, 900 Larsen Road, Sioux City, IA 51102, +1 712 224-5242. 2017-02-27
Nebraska
- Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trails & Visitors Center, 100 Valmont Drive, Nebraska City, NE 68410, +1 402 874-9900.
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, NE 68102, +1 402 661-1804.
South Dakota
- Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center, St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 N. Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325.
- Spirit Mound Historic Prairie, 31148 SD Hwy 19, Vermillion, 42.8671°, -96.9555°, +1 605-987-2263, NewtonHills@state.sd.us. Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a state park featuring a prominent hill on the Great Plains. The Plains Indians of the region considered Spirit Mound the home of dangerous spirits or little people; members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition climbed it on August 25, 1804. free 2018-09-02
North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, PO Box 9, County Road 37, Stanton, ND 58571, 47.354167°, -101.385833°, +1 701 745-3300.
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, RR3 Box 71, Williston, ND 58801, 47.999444°, -104.040556°, +1 701 572-9083.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Box 7, Medora, ND 58645, 46.966667°, -103.45°, +1 701 623-4466.
- Fort Mandan North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, PO Box 607, Washburn, ND 58577, 47.296111°, -101.286111°, +1 701 462-8535.
Montana
- Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark, Pompeys Pillar, MT 59105 (near Billings), 45.9953°, -108.006°, +1 406 875-2233. Home to Clark's signature carved in a rock, the only remaining physical evidence of Lewis and Clark's journey. There is an interpretive center and museum.
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59403, +1 406 727-8733.
- Missouri Headwaters State Park, 1400 South 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59792, 45.9207°, -111.498°, +1 406 994-4042.
- Traveler's Rest State Park, Lolo, MT (1/2 mile west of downtown Lolo on Highway 12 West), 46.738889°, -114.080556°.
- Lolo Pass Visitor's Center, US Highway 12 at the Idaho - Montana Border.
- Whoopah Ride. A covered wagon tour that visits Pompey's Pillar and the Little Bighorn battlefield, sites of Custer's Last Stand.
Idaho
- Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Education Center, 200 Main Street, Salmon, ID 83467, +1 208 756-1188.
- Northwest Passage National Scenic Byway, Lewiston, Idaho.
Washington
- Fort Walla Walla Museum, 755 Myra Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362, 46.0474°, -118.357°, +1 509 525-7703.
- Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, PO Box 488, Ilwaco, WA 98624, +1 360 642-3078.
- Sacajawea Interpretive Center, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco, WA. 99301, 46.2001°, -119.041°, +1 509 545-2361.
Oregon
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Route 3, Box 604-FC Astoria, OR 97103, +1 503 861-2471.
Stay safe
Go next
Related: United States National Trails System