Camping in Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Explore a few hundred feet or traverse the entire 3,700-mile journey made by the Corps of Discovery. This intrepid group of 31 men, one woman and baby sought to explore the western United States. The trek happened from May 1804 to September 1806.

Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the journey went from western Illinois to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. Then they came back to report their findings. The journey took 2-1/2 years to complete. Thanks to modern transportation, you can cover the same ground in a few weeks.

The Lewis & Clark Trail winds through 11 states. It's not a traditional, linear hiking trail as you would normally think. Instead, it travels through several interconnected sites that interpret what happened when the group explored the West.

At Camp Dubois in Illinois, see a recreation of the fort where Lewis and Clark began their journey. In Omaha, Nebraska, walk along a portion of the Missouri River where the group explored. In Oregon, see the Pacific Ocean from the bluffs overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River. The vista looks much the same way now as when Lewis and Clark saw it in 1805.

In between the start and end points, several cities and towns along the trail pay homage to the expedition. Take in festivals and gatherings throughout the summer and fall. There are also plenty of scenic overlooks, mountains, valleys, rock formations, historic sites, Native American cultural centers, and campsites. These locations make for an adventurous summer vacation. There's plenty to do in this fun-filled national park that spans thousands of miles and hundreds of years of American history.