Waterloo, Illinois - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Waterloo is always open

618-939-8600

Waterloo is free to visit

lat: 38.3358857 long: -90.1498341

The City of Waterloo (Not to be confused with the famous Napoleonic battle) offers small-town ambiance—located in the heart of Monroe County, Illinois—with access to metropolitan amenities, being just 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Waterloo offers its visitors a great deal of beauty and historic charm, such as the Bellefontaine House and Peterstown House, both historical houses within the region. Three museums, such as the History Museum of Monroe County which offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience displays and changing exhibits, are also available to visit and learn about the region.

Waterloo also offers many unique restaurants and boutiques, three golf courses, beautiful parks with exciting outdoor recreation, exceptional festivals and events, a weekly farmers’ market and many other activities great for all ages and lifestyles!

Be sure to visit the city website to find out when the numerous events and festivals are planned so your trip along the trail is as amazing as you want it to be.

Take a self-guided tour of the historical buildings that make up Waterloo's vibrant downtown.

Take a self-guided tour of the historical buildings that make up Waterloo's vibrant downtown.

Waterloo has so many unique boutiques and shops to explore!

Waterloo has so many unique boutiques and shops to explore!

Catch a live theater performance at the historic Capitol Theatre.

Catch a live theater performance at the historic Capitol Theatre.

Beautiful sunset in downtown Waterloo

Beautiful sunset in downtown Waterloo

Check out one of Waterloo's craft breweries!

Check out one of Waterloo's craft breweries!

The Optimist Car Show is a favorite annual event.

The Optimist Car Show is a favorite annual event.

The Bellefontaine House is the site of Waterloo's original settlement and the first American settlement in the State of Illinois.

The Bellefontaine House is the site of Waterloo's original settlement and the first American settlement in the State of Illinois.

So many treasures are on display at the Monroe County History Museum.

So many treasures are on display at the Monroe County History Museum.

The Waterloo Municipal Band hosts a free outdoor concert once a week during the summer months.

The Waterloo Municipal Band hosts a free outdoor concert once a week during the summer months.

Waterloo has several fishing lakes within our parks. Lakeview Park also has an accessible fishing pier.

Waterloo has several fishing lakes within our parks. Lakeview Park also has an accessible fishing pier.

An 18-hole disc golf course can be found at Konarcik Park.

An 18-hole disc golf course can be found at Konarcik Park.

Lakeview Park.

Waterloo has three beautiful public golf courses.

Waterloo has three beautiful public golf courses.

Our walkable downtown has so many delicious restaurants to try, many with outdoor seating.

Our walkable downtown has so many delicious restaurants to try, many with outdoor seating.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Sugarwitch

Sugarwitch

7726 Virginia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111, USA
Distance: 15.92 Away

Food and Drinks

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Old Cahokia Courthouse

Old Cahokia Courthouse

Cahokia Courthouse, Elm Street, Cahokia, IL, USA
Distance: 16.40 Away

Guided Tours Museums and Interpretive Centers LC Features

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Fort de Chartres

Fort de Chartres

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, State Route 155, Prairie du Rocher, IL, USA
Distance: 17.15 Away

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Diana’s Bakery

Diana’s Bakery

2843 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
Distance: 18.38 Away

Food and Drinks Bakeries

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Grant’s Farm

Grant’s Farm

7385 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123, USA
Distance: 18.49 Away

Farms Outdoor Experiences

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Sidney Street Cafe

Sidney Street Cafe

2000 Sidney Street, St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 18.85 Away

Food and Drinks

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The Lucky Accomplice

The Lucky Accomplice

2501 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Distance: 19.09 Away

Food and Drinks Bars

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4 Hands Brewing Company

4 Hands Brewing Company

1220 South 8th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Distance: 19.45 Away

Food and Drinks Breweries and Distilleries

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Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109, USA
Distance: 19.49 Away

Food and Drinks

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Tower Grove Park

Tower Grove Park

JP4R+JM St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 19.60 Away

Galleries and Venues Outdoor Experiences

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St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

50 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA
Distance: 19.91 Away

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Tower Grove House

Tower Grove House

JP6R+JM St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Distance: 19.93 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours Outdoor Experiences

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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