Idlewild and Soak Zone - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Idlewild's gates open at 10:30 a.m. Park Rides, attractions and refreshment stands begin to open progressively between 11:00 and 11:30. Idlewild's gates close at 6:00 p.m. Due to student employees' school and school related activity schedules, the park does have some limited operation dates near the beginning and end of the season. A list of Scheduled Operations is listed daily in the Alert Panel at the top of the website and will serve as your best source for information on what rides and attractions may not operate during limited operation dates. Operational hours, policies, prices, rides, entertainment, and attractions are subject to change without notice. Sorry, no refunds.

724-238-3666

Summer Season ticket information can be found on the Idlewild and Soak Zone website.

lat: 40.2615155 long: -79.2770723

Located in Ligonier, an hour’s drive southeast of Pittsburgh, Idlewild has the distinction of being the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the 3rd oldest in America.

From waterslides to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, roller coasters to Story Book Forest, there are plenty of attractions to provide fun for the entire family. The Park is filled with classic rides such as the Red Baron, Wild Mouse, Skooters, Flying Aces, and Balloon Race. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit for the wave pool! And to feed the appetite, there are plenty of kiosks in the park for delicious meals, snacks, and sweets.

Enjoy chicken tenders, hoagies, Philly cheesesteaks, and the always popular Potato Patch fries. To cure your sweet tooth, try Wild West Kettle Korn, Sweet Treets Candy Shoppe, or Idlewild’s famous funnel cakes. Staples like Auntie Annes and Dippin’ Dots can also be found in the park, as well has lighter options like salads.

Idlewild and SoakZone has been awarded the Golden Ticket 8 years in a row as the Best Children’s Park, and in 2019 was awarded 3^rd place for the Best Family Park, out of all of the parks in the amusement park industry.

A large children's book as the entrance to Story Book Forest at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

A large children's book as the entrance to Story Book Forest at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Water slides and swimming pool at Idlewild and Soak Zone along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Water slides and swimming pool at Idlewild and Soak Zone along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Map of Idlewild and SoakZone along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Map of Idlewild and SoakZone along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Logo for Idlewild and SoakZone Park along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Train ride through Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Train ride through Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Balloon Race rice at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

Balloon Race rice at Idlewild along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail

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Distance Unit:

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Frick Park

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The Frick Art and Historical Center

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The Historic Clayton Mansion and Scenic Gardens and Greenhouse at The Frick

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Instagram Feed

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

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

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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