Lewis and Clark Trail State Park - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Every Day: 6:30am-7pm

A WA State Parks Discover Pass is required to visit and must be displayed in your car. They can be bought online or at the site for $10 for a day pass, or $30 for an annual pass. Camping is $20-30 from Apr 1-May 14 and from Sep 16-Oct 31, and $27-$37 from May 15-Sep 15. Camping is closed during winter season

lat: 46.2884154 long: -118.0725089

The Lewis and Clark Trail State Park is a pocket of lush vegetation in the center of the golden plains of southeast Washington, almost mimicking a desert Oasis. This sentiment was echoed by Lewis and Clark, who stayed at this spot in 1806 on their way home from the Pacific Ocean, and wrote in their journals about the interesting contrast of the unique vegetation in such an arid area. Whether it is the flora of ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees, the fauna of red-tailed hawk and fish, or the walking trails and river recreation options, there are endless things to see and enjoy to spend a few hours with the family, or even camp a night or two before continuing on your journey along the historic trail.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Dayton’s Jolly Green Giant

Dayton’s Jolly Green Giant

36548 U.S. 12, Dayton, WA 99328, USA
Distance: 3.73 Away

Other General History

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Boldman House Museum

Boldman House Museum

The Boldman House Museum, N 1st St, Dayton, WA, USA
Distance: 4.88 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Patit Creek Campsite

Patit Creek Campsite

238 Ronan Hill Rd, Dayton, WA 99328, USA
Distance: 7.62 Away

LC Features Viewpoints Outdoor Experiences

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Lower Snake River

Lower Snake River

Lower Snake River Wind Project, Pomeroy, WA, USA
Distance: 20.32 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Fort Walla Walla Museum

Fort Walla Walla Museum

Fort Walla Walla Museum, Northeast Myra Road, Walla Walla, WA, USA
Distance: 21.70 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours Forts LC Features

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Garfield County Museum

Garfield County Museum

Garfield County Museum, Columbia Street, Pomeroy, WA, USA
Distance: 25.84 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls, Washington, USA
Distance: 26.89 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Rainbow Man and Uniroyal Gal

Rainbow Man and Uniroyal Gal

2425 Villard, Pomeroy, WA 99347, USA
Distance: 26.93 Away

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Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum

Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum

99 Fairgrounds Rd, Pomeroy, WA 99347, USA
Distance: 27.95 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Pataha Flour Mills

Pataha Flour Mills

Pataha Flour Mills, Hutchens Hill Road, Pomeroy, WA, USA
Distance: 28.15 Away

General History

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Confluence Listening Circle at Chief Timothy Park

Confluence Listening Circle at Chief Timothy Park

Chief Timothy Park, U.S. 12, Clarkston, WA, USA
Distance: 43.01 Away

Galleries and Venues Outdoor Experiences

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Walla Walla River Confluence

Walla Walla River Confluence

337P+F9 Wallula Junction, WA, USA
Distance: 43.15 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Site of the Week: Falls of the Ohio State Park St

Site of the Week: Falls of the Ohio State Park

St. Louis is often recognized as the starting place of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. However, others would argue that the Expedition began further east where Lewis and Clark met to begin traveling together. Today, this site is the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

In 1803, Meriwether Lewis brought the keelboat down the Ohio River to meet Clark in Louisville. While Lewis had been overseeing the building of said keelboat, Clarj had been busily recruiting local men by way of a strict interview process. Once Lewis arrived with his two men and joined them with Clark’s seven men in Louisville, these first men of the Expedition became known as “the Nine Young Men from Kentucky.” These were William Bratton, John Colter, Joseph and Reuben Field, George Shannon, John Shields, Nathaniel Pryor, George Gibson, and Charles Floyd.

While the Falls of the Ohio are no longer visible, the fossil beds are still very prominent. These Devonian fossil beds are famously recognized as being one of the largest exposed fossil beds in the world. There is a museum on site which tells the history of these fossils, as well as the evolution of the area’s wildlife. The museum also provides information about Lewis and Clark’s time at the Falls and the complicated relationships between the incoming settlers and the local native tribes. The museum was recently renovated and has significantly expanded its exhibits.

Photos credited to Mitchell Pence and the Department of Natural Resources

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #fallsoftheohiostatepark #ohioriver

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)