Lewis and Clark Trail

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail commemorates the route taken by the famous American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their search through the northern plains and mountains for a route to the Pacific Ocean. The park was listed as one of the original “National Historic Trails” when this category was added into law in 1978, and the trail is a collection of sites along the historic route.

Visitor Rating (write your own review below)

ILNP Rating

ILNP Park Review

Our Weather. Mostly sunny and upper 80s

Our Visit. I visited the Headquarters of this park during a brief trip to Omaha, Nebraska in July

Overall Impression. Like other National Historic Trails in the National Park System, there is no continuous trail from end to end, but rather a collection of sites, parks and monuments along the route. This is especially true of Lewis and Clark Trail because most of the explorers’ route was along rivers, most notably the Missouri, Yellowstone, Snake and Columbia Rivers. Each site offers a slightly different perspective on a piece of their journey, but if you’re looking to tie everything together, you’re probably best off visiting Louis and Clark National Historical Park on the Washington coast.

A small nature garden outside the Omaha visitors center contains plants native to the region during the Lewis and Clark expedition

Visiting. Unless you want to jump in a boat and paddle down rivers, you’re not likely to see much of the “trail” the way Lewis and Clark saw it, but no matter where you are along the trail’s route, you’re likely to find a nearby park or site commemorating the great journey. My suggestion is to visit this trail as a part of visits to these other parks and sites. If you happen to be in Omaha, Nebraska, then consider visiting the Park Headquarters and Visitors Center, located in the lobby of the NPS Midwest Region Office. The headquarters is located near the site of Lewis and Clarks’ landing in this area, and adjacent to the visitors center is a nature garden, a park and picnic area along the waterfront, and the unique Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge across the Missouri River. It’s a nice place for a stroll, but there are better places to learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Still, there are a few exhibits in the lobby, a great map of the route, and friendly and helpful rangers.

Sites Connected with Lewis and Clark NHT

• Lewis and Clark State Historic Site (IL)
• Gateway Arch National Park (St. Louis, MO)
• Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center (MO)
• Fort Osage National Historic Landmark (MO)
• Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitors Center (NE)
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters (Omaha, NE)
• Western Historic Trails Center (Council Bluffs, IA)
• Sergeant Floyd Monument Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (Sioux City, IA)
• Missouri National Recreational River (NE, SD)
• Sakakawea Monument (SD)
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (Washburn, ND)
• Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (ND)
• Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center (ND)
• Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (MT)
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center (Great Falls, MT)
• Pompey’s Pillar National Monument (Billings, MT)
• Sacajawea Interpretive Center (Salmon, ID)
• Travelers’ Rest State Park (MT)
• Lolo Pass Visitor Center (ID)
• Sacajawea State Park Interpretive Center (WA)
• Tamastslikt Cultural Institute (OR)
• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (OR)
• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (OR, WA)
• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center (WA)
• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (WA)

The visitor center for the Lewis and Clark NHT is inside the lobby of the NPS Midwest Region office in Omaha. It’s small but worth a visit if you’re already in the area.

Suggestions. Visit this park in conjunction with a visit to one of the parks above or one of the many smaller parks not listed. If you really want a stamp for your National Parks passport book, then you’ll need to visit one of the NPS sites including Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the trail Headquarters in Omaha, Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Pompey’s Pillar National Monument, or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

Nearby Towns St Louis (MO), Kansas City (KS), Omaha (NE), Sioux City (IA), Bismarck (ND), Great Falls, Helena, Missoula (MT), Lewiston (ID), Portland (OR)

Other Nearby Attractions

Official NPS Website Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Write Your Own Review