Stretching across more than 4,900 miles and 16 states, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is one of the most immersive and inspiring travel routes in the United States. It follows the epic path of the Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who set out in 1804 to explore the vast territory newly acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. What began as a mission of mapping and diplomacy turned into one of the greatest expeditions in American history, and you can trace their journey from Pittsburgh to the Oregon coast. This trail offers natural beauty, Indigenous culture, frontier history, and living landscapes, connecting you with America’s past in a hands-on, deeply personal way. Whether you follow it in full or explore segments along the route, the Lewis and Clark Trail invites you to experience the spirit of exploration, with modern insights and an eye toward sustainability.
Administered by the National Park Service, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail weaves through cities, plains, mountains, rivers, and Indigenous lands. It’s not a single walking path like the Appalachian Trail, but it’s a corridor marked by over 100 interpretive centers, historic sites, museums, and natural landmarks. Along the way, you'll follow major rivers like the Missouri, Columbia, and Snake, pass through iconic landscapes including the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Coast, and learn about the many peoples who shaped and were affected by this journey.
The expedition technically began in Pittsburgh, where Lewis had a custom keelboat built and set out down the Ohio River. While few structures remain from that time, Pittsburgh today offers great museums and green spaces, and the Ohio River Water Trail allows for modern-day paddlers to recreate parts of the journey. Heading west, Louisville and Cairo, Illinois, offer stops tied to the expedition’s journey down the Ohio River and their early encounters with the American frontier. St. Louis is often considered the true “gateway” of the trail. Visit Gateway Arch National Park, where the Museum at the Gateway Arch dives deep into the Corps of Discovery’s preparations. Not far away, Camp Dubois (now the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois) was the Corps’ winter camp before launching their westward journey in May 1804.
From St. Louis, the trail heads up the Missouri River, where much of the Corps’ journey was spent rowing upstream, camping on riverbanks, and encountering both allies and obstacles. In Nebraska, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center in Nebraska City and the Sergeant Floyd Monument in Sioux City, Iowa, mark important moments, including the only fatality of the expedition, Charles Floyd, who died of what was likely appendicitis. In South Dakota, you'll find Spirit Mound, a sacred site described in Clark’s journal, and Fort Pierre, where the Corps met with the Lakota people, an encounter that nearly turned violent and revealed the complex nature of U.S. expansion. Northward in North Dakota, visit Fort Mandan, a reconstructed version of the Corps’ winter encampment of 1804–1805. This is where Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman whose language skills and cultural knowledge proved invaluable, joined the expedition. Nearby, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn provides an excellent overview of their time in the region and the relationships they formed with the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes.
Montana is a highlight for many travelers on the trail, offering dramatic scenery and vivid historical landmarks. The expedition faced immense challenges here, including dangerous river navigation, grizzly bear encounters, and the task of crossing the Continental Divide. In Great Falls, visitors can explore the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center and walk parts of the portage route around the series of waterfalls that delayed the Corps for nearly a month. Lemhi Pass, on the border of Montana and Idaho, was the first crossing into the western watershed — a significant milestone. The site is serene and wild, with interpretive panels and sweeping views that help you imagine what Lewis saw on August 12, 1805. Crossing into Idaho, the Corps entered Nez Perce territory. The tribe’s kindness and guidance were essential to their survival during the difficult crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains. The Nez Perce National Historical Park honors their culture and generosity, and provides essential context to the human side of the trail.
The western end of the Lewis and Clark Trail follows the Clearwater, Snake, and Columbia Rivers through Washington and Oregon, leading toward the expedition’s ultimate destination: the Pacific Ocean. In Longview, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon, you can stand where the Corps first glimpsed the sea — an emotional moment after 18 months of hardship. At Fort Clatsop, now part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, you can walk through a replica of the fort where the expedition spent the winter of 1805–1806. Today, the site offers ranger-led programs, interactive exhibits, and forested trails. It’s a beautiful place to end or pause your journey, surrounded by towering evergreens and coastal fog, just as the Corps experienced over two centuries ago.
Whether you journey the entire route or focus on just one region, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail offers a unique chance to combine adventure with a sense of purpose. And while not directly on the trail, several nearby national parks and historic sites, such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, are close enough to make rewarding side trips.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is about what Lewis and Clark saw, who they met, and how the story of the American West began to unfold. It’s a journey of landscapes and legacies, courage and complexity, discovery and responsibility. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
Use the NPS Trail Map and Passport Program: The official trail website offers maps, site listings, and a collectible passport program to track your progress.
Engage with Indigenous Perspectives: Many tribes along the trail offer cultural centers, museums, and stories that present a fuller picture of the expedition’s impact.
Combine Recreation and Reflection: Hike, bike, or paddle segments of the trail to feel the physicality of the journey and gain deeper respect for what the Corps endured.
Support Local and Sustainable Travel: Small towns along the trail offer locally owned lodging, dining, and outfitters. Spend time, spend mindfully, and leave no trace.