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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Location	IL, MO, KS, IA, NE, SD, ND, MT, ID, OR, and WA, USA
Nearest city	Billings, MTNearest city: Billings, MT
Coordinates	46°0′13″N 108°0′34″W / 46.00361°N 108.00944°W / 46.00361; -108.00944Coordinates: 46°0′13″N 108°0′34″W / 46.00361°N 108.00944°W / 46.00361; -108.00944
Area	51 acres (206,000 m²)
Established	March 21, 1978 Established: March 21, 1978
Visitors	250,000 (in 2004)
Governing body	National Park Service

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is part of the National Trails System of the United States. In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began a voyage of discovery with 45 men, a keelboat, two pirogues, and a dog. They departed from Camp Dubois, located in what was to become the U.S. state of Illinois.

President Thomas Jefferson had long dreamed of what lay to the west of the young United States – the animals, plants, and minerals, and a route for eastern trade. The President had privately requested Congress to fund the expedition shortly before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Lewis and Clark were ordered to write accounts of all they did, each species encountered, details of cultures they met, maps of the land—everything. They traveled over a three-year period through lands that later became 11 states.

Most of the trail follows the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. Much has changed in 200 years but trail portions remain intact. At 3,700 miles (5,950 km), the trail is the second longest of the 23 National Scenic and National Historic Trails. It begins at Hartford, Illinois, and passes through portions of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

The official headquarters for the trail is located at the National Park Service, Mid-West Regional Headquarters, in Omaha, Nebraska. The visitor center features exhibits about the explorers and their historic trip, as well as information about sites along the trail.

External links

• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (National Park Service)
• Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
• lewisandclarktrail.org

From Wikitravel

This article is an itinerary.

The Lewis and Clark Trail [1] is a United States National Scenic Trail commemorating the journey of the 1804-1806 Corps of Discovery expedition that explored the U.S.A.'s newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Starting in Illinois, it follows the Missouri River to the headwaters in the Rocky Mountains (United States of America), then over the Continental Divide. From there it follows the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific Ocean near Fort Clatsop Oregon.

Understand

North Dakota, like many other states along the Missouri, has designated a "Lewis and Clark Trail" following the river on both sides. Also common to these states is the naming of the state highways running alongside the rivers; 1804 on the east side and 1806 on the west. In North Dakota the 1804/1806 signage can be spotty, but the "Lewis and Clark Trail" signs are always there.

There are other places as well to experience Lewis and Clark's journey. In Billings Montana, Pompey's Pillar Rock is a national monument featuring William Clark's signature on an unusually large rock along the Yellowstone River. A new interpretive center and museum opened in July 2005. Tours and viewing opportunities out of Billings of Pompey's Pillar Rock are available to the public by the Whoopah Ride [2].

The long trail

Get in

There are two alternate starting points: Bismarck and Mandan.

Drive

This itinerary discusses two paths: from Bismarck to Williston on highway 1804, and from Mandon to Watford City on highway 1806.

From Bismarck, go north on 1804 and follow the Lewis and Clark Trail signs. From Mandan, go north on 1806 and follow the Lewis and Clark Trail Signs.

You'll see the Cottonwood forests of the Missouri Valley, and depending on how close you stay to the river, you'll come across plenty of interesting things.

Notable Places along the East Bank

• Lewis and Clark Steamboat Company, Bismarck
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn

Notable Places along the West Bank

• Cross Ranch State Park near Stanton
• Lake Sakakawea State Park near the Garrison Dam

River crossings are located at

• Buford, on State Highway 58.
• Williston, on US 85 southwest of town.
• New Town, on State Highway 23 west of town.
• Garrison Dam, on State Highway 200.
• Washburn, on State Highway 200A.
• and of course Bismarck/Mandan.

By train

Amtrak's Empire Builder follows part of the route in North Dakota and Montana. The National Park Service seasonally provides interpreters aboard the Empire Builder who explain Lewis and Clark's trip. The Portland branch of the Empire Builder follows their route on the Columbia River for several hundred more miles.

Boat

It is possible to retrace most of the route the same way Lewis and Clark did--by boat--on the Missouri and Columbia Rivers.