City of St. Helens - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

503.351.3311

The City is pet friendly. Aside from off leash areas, please leash and always pick up after your pet.

lat: 45.8589637 long: -122.8212297

As a Columbia River community, we are deeply connected to the Trail. The Corps passed by the City of St. Helens in November 1805 and on the return voyage in March of 1806. Local lore has it that the Corps sheltered under a massive Oak tree as they passed by the site that would later become St. Helens. The Columbia County Museum Association identifies the site on the downtown Walking Tour: https://sites.google.com/colcomuseum.org/walking/home

Our community celebrates the journey with interpretive signage along US Highway 30, in our City Plaza (also the Columbia County seat) and Columbia View Park, which is where many residents and visitors connect directly with the river. See attached images.

The City of St. Helens is actively working to redevelop our riverfront property. Partnership with the Lewis and Clark NHT is a great opportunity to educate and engage our community and visitors around the natural and cultural history of the area, including the journey of the Corps of Discovery.

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

trail interpretive path St. Helens, Oregon

Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Seaman Carving on Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Seaman Carving on Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Seaman Carving on Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Seaman Carving on Columbia River. St. Helens Oregon

Riverfront

Dalton Lake trail

Dalton Lake trail

Dalton Lake

Dalton Lake

Business District

Business District

4th of July

Courthouse

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Running Dogs Brewery

Running Dogs Brewery

Running Dogs Brewery/TheBlondeBrewer Production Facility, Running Dogs Lane, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 0.20 Away

Food and Drinks Breweries and Distilleries

View Listing

Woodland Cottage

Woodland Cottage

241 South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.14 Away

View Listing

Real Eye Zing Art

Real Eye Zing Art

Real Eye Zing Art, South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.14 Away

Shopping Galleries and Venues

View Listing

Feathers & Leathers By Heidi-Style

Feathers & Leathers By Heidi-Style

Feathers and Leathers Boutique, South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.14 Away

View Listing

Dockside Restaurant

Dockside Restaurant

343 South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, USA
Distance: 1.15 Away

Food and Drinks

View Listing

Plymouth Pub

Plymouth Pub

Plymouth Pub, South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.16 Away

Food and Drinks Bars

View Listing

Columbia Theatre

Columbia Theatre

The Columbia Theatre, South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.16 Away

Galleries and Venues

View Listing

Molly’s Market

Molly’s Market

290 South 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051, USA
Distance: 1.17 Away

View Listing

Columbia County Bistro

Columbia County Bistro

Columbia County Bistro LLC, Strand Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.20 Away

Food and Drinks Bars

View Listing

Tap into Wine

Tap into Wine

Tap Into Wine, Strand Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.20 Away

Food and Drinks Wineries

View Listing

Columbia County Museum

Columbia County Museum

Columbia County Museum, Strand Street, St. Helens, OR, USA
Distance: 1.21 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

View Listing

Cathlapotle Plankhouse

Cathlapotle Plankhouse

Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Ridgefield, WA, USA
Distance: 3.86 Away

Tribal Experiences Outdoor Experiences

View Listing

Sign Up for the Lewis & Clark Trail Experience Newsletter

Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive the Lewis and Clark Travel Experience newsletter provided by the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance. You can revoke your consent at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Instagram Feed

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

-----
Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the Cincinnati area? Do you need to hike off some of those Thanksgiving pounds? Check out the California Woods Nature Preserve!

California Woods, located in the California neighborhood east of Cincinnati, contains 113-acres of forest and year-round education programming for all nature lovers! The park features 53 species of trees, more than 200 species of herbaceous plants and is adjacent to the Magrish Preserve, which has been designated as an Important Birding Area. Lick Run Creek passes through this preserve, and is home to kingfishers, snapping turtles, small fish, a myriad of invertebrates and the occasional visit from grebes, mallards, wood ducks, and even beavers.

Take a hike on one of California’s trails, and be on the lookout for pileated woodpeckers and perhaps you’ll also spot a great horned owl among the tall sycamores. There is also a beautiful butterfly and hummingbird garden located directly in front of the nature center.

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/california-woods-nature-preserve/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #californiawoodsnaturepreserve #cincinnati #ohio