Exploring with Lewis and Clark
Today you can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, exploring the route they traveled and reliving the adventure of the Corps of Discovery. By boat or canoe, by car, or on foot, you can retrace portions of their historic route. Along the way, you will learn about the Expedition from numerous interpretive signs, exhibits, museums, visitor centers, and living history displays. Some of the most outstanding retracement opportunities and interpretation/recreation facilities are identified on the map on the reverse side of this brochure. These are keyed by number to the accompanying text and to the pictures which appear on this side.
To ensure that these opportunities and facilities are preserved and that others are developed, in 1978 Congress established the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail as a component of the National Trails System. The National Park Service administers the trail in partnership with many Federal, State, and local agencies, private organizations, and private landowners. These cooperating interests manage existing retracement routes and recreation/interpretation sites and work to develop additional opportunities.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail provides three types of retracement opportunities:
Water Trail Segments are portions of Lewis and Clark's route where the Expedition traveled by watercraft on the Missouri and Columbia Rivers and their tributaries. These portions of their route can be retraced by boat or canoe. Today, long portions of these rivers are composed of a series of dams and impounded lakes. Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers have locks; those on the Missouri do not. Commercial boat trips are available on some segments, such as the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River (36) and the Gates of the Mountains (46).
Land Trail Segments are portions of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that will be developed for travel on foot and/or horseback. Three segments are already open for public use: the Roughrider Trail (27), the Lolo Trail (60), and the trail over Tillamook Head ("Clark's Mountain and Point of View") in Ecola State Park (79).
Marked Motor Route Segments are portions of Lewis and Clark's overland route where modern-day roads precisely or very nearly follow the historic route and where it is not feasible to establish a footpath for retracement. Although unmarked at present, they can easily be followed by using the general map on the reverse side supplemented by State highway maps.
These three types of retracement opportunities and selected interpretation/recreation sites are shown on the map. Because it is only a general map, it may be necessary to consult highway maps or make local inquiry to find these sites. Some sites have no development and/or public access. Please respect the rights of private property owners.
Marking the sites and segments of the trail with the official marker shown on the map is only just beginning. However, the present lack of markers should pose no difficulty to travelers who consult other available maps and brochures about Lewis and Clark.
Those who wish to explore Lewis and Clark's route primarily by automobile will enjoy following the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway established by State highway agencies in the late 1960s. While the national historic trail very closely follows Lewis and Clark's actual route and method of travel, the highway system provides an opportunity to approximate their entire route by automobile following existing roads. The Lewis and Clark Trail Highway is marked with rectangular signs that utilize the same figures of Lewis and Clark as the national historic trail marker.
Additional Information to assist you in following the route of Lewis and Clark and enjoying its historic and recreational features can be obtained from State and local tourism agencies, chambers of commerce, historical societies, and offices of Federal and State agencies managing public lands and waters that are part of the trail.
You can Help establish the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by encouraging and assisting public agencies and private interests along the route to preserve and interpret sites important to the Expedition. Information on establishing, certifying, and marking sites can be obtained by writing to: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, National Park Service, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, NE 68102-2571.
You can also help establish the trail and promote public interest in matters relating to the Lewis and Clark Expedition by joining or supporting the efforts of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. The Foundation promotes public interest in Lewis and Clark, publishes an informative quarterly magazine, holds an annual meeting along the Expedition route, and assists the National Park Service in its efforts. Information can be obtained by writing to: Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc., 172 Briarwood, Helena, MT 59601.
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