Things To Do Near Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they journeyed across the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Travel up the Missouri River to explore the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail’s park headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Then, travel on to see where the pair and the men they trained at Camp DuBois near St. Louis met Sacagawea. Finally, travel in their footsteps while exploring numerous sites until you reach Astoria, Oregon.
Hiking Trails
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Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail is a five-mile, out-and-back trail offering stunning views of the Missouri River, similar to how it may have looked when Lewis and Clark explored the area. There are a few steep inclines along this trail, but you will find that the beautiful views of the Missouri River make it worthwhile. See wildlife and birds that live along the river while hiking this trail running through the Weldon Springs Conservation Area.
Location
Weldon Spring Conservation Area, 6990 S. Missouri 94, St. Charles, Missouri 63304
Length
5 miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Trail
Follow the asphalt trail through the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, South Dakota. This trail starts at Pierson Ranch Recreation Area and circles Lewis and Clark Lake. It also runs through Gavins Point Campground at its western end. Signs at the beginning and midway point along this trail explain its relationship to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Location
Pierson Ranch Recreation Area, 31144 Toe Road, Yankton, South Dakota 57078
Length
7 miles
Intensity
Easy
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Lewis and Clark Trail
This Lewis and Clark Trail starts in Farm Island State Recreation Area, which the expedition visited in 1804. It continues through the LaFramboise Nature Area to the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area. There are several resting benches along this trail running beside the Missouri River. Each of the recreation areas has additional routes connecting to this trail so that you can create your course.
Location
Farm Island State Recreation Area, 1301 Farm Island Road, Pierre, South Dakota 57501
Length
14.5 miles
Intensity
Moderate
Sightseeing
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Fort Defiance State Park
Before embarking on their journey, Lewis and Clark spent time training the men that they had hand-selected at this location. Four monuments around Fort Defiance State Park pay tribute to that time. There are many short hiking trails, and their shelter makes an excellent place for a picnic. Explore the lodge designed to look like an old U.S. Army outpost and learn about how this site was used during the Civil War.
Location
US-60 &, US-62, Cairo, Illinois 62914
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Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Visit the probable location of Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery stayed from December 1805 to March 1806. View the old stone foundation of a home constructed over the fort. Take an audio tour of Fort Clatsop before going on a ranger-led canoe adventure. During the summer months, participate in reenactments led by the park staff.
Location
92343 Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, Oregon 97103
Museums
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Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum
See a full-size replica keelboat and two pirogues in the lower part of the two-story Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum in St. Charles, Missouri. Learn more about the expedition’s relationships with Native Americans along the trail, along with seeing natural items discovered during the voyage by visiting the upstairs museum. They also have a gift shop to pick up materials to learn more about Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery.
Location
1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63301
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Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center
Participate in indoor and outdoor concerts, annual historical events, Dutch-oven cookouts, festivals, kids' summer camps, and family historical programs at Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center. These programs change frequently. Visit the exhibits in the interpretative center to learn more about Sacajawea. Staff often teach classes on flint knapping spearheads and weaving cattail baskets. You may also want to take in a show in their theater.
Location
2700 Main Street, Salmon, Idaho 83467
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Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center
The Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center is in a retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat named after Sergeant Charles Floyd of Kentucky, one of the Lewis and Clark expedition members. Learn about the history of transportation on the Missouri River and the time that the expedition spent in this area. Climb to the third story of this boat to see beautiful views of the Missouri River.
Location
1000 Larsen Park Road, Sioux City, Iowa 51103
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Imaginarium Old Market Mercantile
Find toys from the 1970s and 1980s at Imaginarium Old Market Mercantile. They also carry a collection of newer toys based on your child’s favorite books.
Location
1113 Howard Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
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Prospero’s Books & Media
Find over 50,000 titles of books, records, CDs and film at Prospero’s Books & More. This business is in a three-story building built in 1907. You will need to climb some of the rolling ladders to reach books on the top shelves at this bookstore, where you can also sell your books for cash or trade them.
Location
1800 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
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Lewis & Clark’s
Choose from the wide-ranging menu of beef, pork, poultry and seafood options at Lewis & Clark’s. Leave room for New York cheesecake, mud pie, or brownie ala mode. This restaurant also has an extensive wine list.
Location
217 South Main Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301
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The Marina Grill
Settle in a seat on the outside patio in the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area to dine on baby back ribs, Angus steaks or plates of pasta at the Marina Grill. If you are enjoying a day on the water, use their courtesy dock.
Location
43497 Shore Drive, Yankton, South Dakota 57078