Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail
Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail
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There are three ways to follow the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail today. Portions of
Lewis and Clark's water route on the Missouri and Columbia Rivers and their tributaries can be
retraced by boat. Commercial trips are available on some segments such as the Gates of the
Mountains and the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. Both are in Montana. Some
parts of Lewis and Clark's overland route are being developed for travel by horseback, foot, and
bicycle. The Katy Trail State Park in Missouri is open to foot and bicycle travel. Portions of the
Lolo Trail over the Bitteroot Mountains are open to horseback riding and hiking. Most people will want
to follow portions of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by vehicle. Motor routes that
approximately follow the route of the historic expedition were marked by state agencies in the
1960's. Those routes are marked with a rectangular sign with the figures of Lewis and Clark.
These highways connect a series of memorials, museums, visitor centers, interpretive exhibits,
and historic sites along the trail. Much of the enjoyment of following the trail will come from
visiting the sites that provide an opportunity to learn more about the expedition.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service (NPS)
in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and private
landowners. These cooperating interests manage existing retracement routes, recreation sites,
interpretive facilities, and visitor centers along the route.
The NPS publishes and distributes a general information brochure and map of the trail. For a copy
of the general brochure, or information about planning, coordination, and NPS administration
and programs, contact Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite
100, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. Telephone 608-264-5610, 8AM - 5PM Monday - Friday.
E:mail request for the general map and brochure of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail may be directed to Jan_Lee@nps.gov. Be sure to include your complete name and mailing address. For other questions regarding administration of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, direct E:mail to Richard_Williams@nps.gov. The NPS also publishes a semiannual Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Administrative Update with current information about trail activities. It is available on request from the address or telephone number listed above. For visitors wanting to follow extended portions of the trail, a
guidebook is recommended. Many books are available with more information about the Lewis
and Clark Expedition. Below is a partial list of Lewis and Clark books and bookstores. Some
guidebooks provide maps, site information, and lists of lodging, restaurant, and camping
facilities. For more travel and tourism information, contact the appropriate state tourism division.
Below is a selected list of federal, state, and local organizations that manage a specific site or
segment along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Contact the NPS for a complete list.
Information requests about particular sites or segments should be directed to these organizations.
Several Lewis and Clark festivals and living history programs are presented during the summer
months. Some of the most popular festivals are listed below.
For information about the history of the expedition, scholarly publications, archives, annual
meetings, local foundation chapter activities, and volunteer projects,
The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
or write: Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, PO Box 3434, Great Falls, Montana 59403. National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council is a nonprofit organization associated with the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. This organization of volunteers has a mission to help commemorate the Lewis and Clark heritage by planning and coordinating activities with many other state, fereral, and tribal governments - and all interested individuals and organizations - during the Bicentennial years 2003 - 2006. For more information contact the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council at : PO Box 9559, Seattle, Washington 98109-0550, e:mail to the Bicentennial Council may be directed to mbussard@aracnet.com. Telephone toll free 1-888-999-1803.
More Lewis and Clark sites on the Web
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Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 11 North 4th Street, St Louis, Missouri 63102.
Knife River Indian Villages NHS, PO Box 168, Stanton, North Dakota 58571.
Nez Perce National Historical Park,
Route 1, Box 100, Spalding, Idaho 83540.
Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Route 3, Box 604-FC, Astoria, Oregon 97103.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Lewis and Clark Lake, Box 710, Yankton South Dakota 57078;
museum, Lewis and Clark Lake information.
Pompeys Pillar, Bureau of Land Management, 810 East Main Street, Billings, Montana 59105;
visitor center open summer only.
Lewis & Clark National Forest, 1101 15th St North, Box 869, Great Falls, Montana 59403;
information on the portage around the Great Falls, Interpretive Center to open summer 1998.
Clearwater National Forest, 12730 Highway 12, Orofino, Idaho 83544; a map of Lewis and
Clark on the Lolo Trail and hiking trail information.
Lolo Trail, Montana, Idaho, Information from the US Forest Service/Clearwater National Forest on planning for the Bicentennial on Lolo Trail.
Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway, Bureau of Land Management, RR 2, Box 610,
Salmon, Idaho 83467-9812; brochure and information on Lemhi County, Idaho.
Salmon - Challis National Forest, R.R. 2, Box 600, Salmon, Idaho 83467; a brochure of
Lewis and Clark in Lemhi County, Idaho, and hiking trail information.
Lewis and Clark in the Rocky Mountains, Bitterroot National Forest, 1801 N. First Street, Hamilton, Montana 59804; information on many Lewis and Clark sites in the Rocky Mountains.
Upper Missouri National Scenic River, Bureau of Land Management, PO Box 1160, Airport
Road, Lewiston, Montana 59457; water trail map and information. Telephone 406-538-7461.
Lewis and Clark State Memorial, Historic Sites Division, Old State Capitol, Springfield,
Illinois 62701; Lewis and Clark memorial at the confluence of the Mississippi and
Missouri Rivers.
Lewis and Clark Center, 701 Riverside Drive, St Charles, Missouri 63301; museum, book store,
historic district.
Katy Trail State Park, Missouri Division of Parks Recreation, 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson
City, Missouri 65102; hiking and bicycling trail, Lewis and Clark interpretive exhibits.
Lewis and Clark State Park, Route 1, Box 104, Onawa, Iowa 51040; replica keelboat, and the
Lewis and Clark festival held each June.
Sergeant Floyd Monument
and Welcome Center, 801 Fourth Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51102; information on Sergeant Floyd Monument and Lewis and Clark sites in Iowa.
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Yankton, South Dakota, 605-668-2985. Camping, boating, Lewis and Clark Museum at Gavins Point Dam.
Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota,,information on the Lewis and Clark Trail in South Dakota.
North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, PO Box 607, Washburn, North Dakota 58577-0607, telephone 701-462-8535; managed by the North Dakota Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Foundation; replica Fort Mandan; Open all year, 9AM - 7PM Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9AM - 5PM remained of year; Interpretive displays and programs, Indian artifacts, art gallery, gift shop, and more.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Association, Box 2848, Great Falls, Montana 59493;
information on the Lewis and Clark festival held each July.
Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana, information on the Lewis and Clark journey in Montana.
Missouri River Headwaters State Park, 1400 South 19th Ave., Bozeman, Montana
59792.
Fort Canby State Park
, PO Box 488, Ilwaco, Washington 98624; excellent Lewis and Clark museum at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Triple "O" Outfitters, PO Box 226, Pierce, Idaho 83546, 208-464-2349; information on horseback trips over the Lolo Trail.
Missouri River Outfitters, PO Box 1212, Fort Benton, Montana 59442, 406-622-3295, commercial boat trips on the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River.
Missouri River Canoe Company,Virgelle, Montana, 800-426-2926, commercial guided trips, canoe rentals, Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River.
Missouri River Tours, Dept. W, PO Box 121, Belden, Nebraska 68717, 402-985-2216. Canoe trips on the Missouri National Recreation River, Nebraska/South Dakota.
Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours, PO Box 478, Helena, Montana 59601, 406-458-5241, commercial boat trip through the Gates of the Mountains portion of the Missouri River.
Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures, PO Box 9051, Missoula, Montana 59801, 800-366-6246, commercial boating and mountain biking trips, Salmon River, Lolo Trail and more.
Salmon River Experience, 812 Truman, Moscow, Idaho 83843, 800-892-9223; commercial whitewater raft trip with Lewis & Clark theme.
River Odysseys West, P.O. Box 579, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83816, 800-451-6034; commercial white water trips with a Lewis and Clark theme, Clearwater/Snake Rivers.
Upper Missouri River Guides , 315 W. 4th St., Anaconda, MT 59711, 406-563-2770; commercial guided float trips on the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River.
Lewis and Clark Heritage Tours, PO Box 4013, Missoula, MT 59806; 406-721-3500; guided group, family and individual tours of the Lewis and Clark Trail along the Lolo Trail and Western Montana.
Missouri Breaks River Company, 406-453-3035, specializes in day trips thru the Upper Missouri Wild & Scenic River.
Swan River Tours, PO Box 1010, Condon, Montana 59826; 800-792-6748 or 406-754-2538;
Mini Motorcoach tours, western Montana, Idaho, includes Lewis and Clark festival.
Clearwater River Company,208-476-9199; 11330 Hwy 12, Orifino, Idaho 83544; Lewis and Clark canoe and drift boat tours on the Clearwater River.
Rocky Mountain Discovery Tours, 248A N. Higgins Ave. #520, Missoula, Montana 59802,
1-888-400-0048, 406-721-4821. Motorcoach bus, guided tours of the trail in Montana and Idaho, June, July and September.
Birdwoman Missouri River Adventures, PO Box 59, Washburn North Dakota, 58577-0059, 701-462-3367. Family oriented canoe trips.
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Missouri Division of Tourism
, 301 W. High Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
Kansas Division of Tourism, 120 West 10th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66612.
Sioux City Tourism Bureau
, 801 Fourth St, PO Box 3184, Sioux City, Iowa 51102, for a map of Lewis and Clark sites in Iowa and Nebraska.
Iowa Division of Tourism,
200 East Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Nebraska Division Of Tourism,700 South 16th Street, PO Box 94666, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4666.
South Dakota Department of
Tourism, 711 East Wells Ave., Pierre, South Dakota 57501.
North Dakota Tourism Department,
604 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismark, North Dakota 58505, for a map of Lewis and Clark sites in North Dakota.
Montana Department of Tourism,
PO Box 200533, Helena, Montana 59620-0533.
Idaho Division of Tourism,
700 West State Street, Boise, Idaho 83720
Washington Department of Tourism
, 101 General Administration Building AX-13, Olympia, Washington 98504.
Oregon Tourism and Travel Information
, 775 Summer St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97310.
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Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark, by Barbara Fifer and Vicky Soderberg; maps by Joseph Mussulman. 1-800-654-1105 to order.
Traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail, by Julie Fanselow, 1-800-582-2665 to order.
(Note: The guide books listed above are excellent references for persons following the Lewis and Clark Trail by vehicle)
Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, (Knopf), by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns
Undaunted Courage, Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the West, by
Stephen E. Ambrose
Lewis and Clark: Historic Places Associated with Their Transcontinental Exploration (1804-06), by Roy E. Appleman, National Park Service
Lewis and Clark Among the Indians, by James P. Ronda
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, Volumes 2 - 10, edited by Gary E. Moulton
Lewis and Clark: Pioneering Naturalist, by Paul Cutright
Out West: American Journey Along the Lewis and Clark Trail, by Dayton Duncan
Before Lewis and Clark, Volumes 1 & 2, edited by A. P. Nasatir
History of Lewis and Clark, Volumes 1 - 3, by Elliot Coues
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, edited by John Bakeless
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, edited by Benard DeVoto
Passage Through the Garden, by John Logan Allen
The Way to the Western Sea, by David Lavender
Montana's Wild and Scenic Upper Missouri River, by Glenn Monahan and Chanler Biggs, (available from Northern Rocky Mountain Books, 315 W. 4th St., Anaconda, MT 59711, 406-563-2770)
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Lewis and Clark books are available in most libraries and bookstores. The following bookstores
have Lewis and Clark books that may be purchased by mail order:
Gone West (Jefferson National Expansion Historical Association), 11 North 4th
Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63102, (800) 537-7962
The Lewis and Clark Center, 701 Riverside Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63301,
(314) 947-3199
North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Bookstore, PO Box 607, Washburn, North Dakota 58577, (701) 462-8535
Fort Clatsop Historical Association, Route 3, Box 604-FC, Astoria, Oregon
97103-9197, (503) 861-2471
Ludd Trozpek Books, 4141 Via Padova, Claremont, California 91711, (909)624-3679,
Rare and unusual books relating to Lewis and Clark
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The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is approximately 3,700 miles long, begins near
Wood River, Illinois, and passes through portions of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South
Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexGeneral Description
In 1804 -1806, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to
lead an expedition on an epic journey to explore the headwaters of the Missouri River and find an
overland route to the Pacific Ocean by way of the Columbia River. The "Corps of Discovery"
departed Camp DuBois near Wood River, Illinois, on May 14, 1804, and proceeded up the Missouri
River using a keelboat and two "pirogues." After several councils with the Indian Tribes on the lower
Missouri River, and the unfortunate death of
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexFollowing the Lewis and Clark Trail Today
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexInformation about the Lewis and Clark Trail
Federal Lewis and Clark Trail Sites
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexState and Local Lewis and Clark Trail Sites
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexTravel and Tourism
For information on camping, travel, and tourism facilities, contact:Relevant Books and Publications
Lewis and Clark Bookstores
Return to Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail IndexLast Update:Tuesday, 13-Apr-99 08:56:27
http://www.nps.gov/lecl/
Author: Richard Williams