Lewis and Clark Trail
Photo: Charles Marion Russell, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Lewis and Clark Trail is a United States National Historic Trail commemorating the journey of the 1804-1806 Corps of Discovery expedition that explored the U.S.A.'s newly acquired Louisiana Purchase and beyond. The 3700 mi trail extends from Illinois to the Oregon coast, following the outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
UnderstandStarting in Wood River, Illinois, the route follows the Missouri River to the headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, then over the Continental Divide.
PrepareAmtrak'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.
Get inClark started at Wood River, Illinois, and Lewis joined him two days later in St. Charles, Missouri. These are both close to St. Louis.
DriveNorth Dakota, like many other states along the Missouri, has designated a "Lewis and Clark Trail" following the river on both sides.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Lewis and Clark Trail" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Charles Marion Russell, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons