Lewis & Clark Expedition
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Carmen Willings
itinerantjoy.com June 4, 2025 The Lewis and Clark Expedition, officially known as the Corps of Discovery, was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana Purchase. Led by Meriwether Lewis, Jefferson’s personal secretary, and William Clark, a seasoned frontiersman, the expedition set out in 1804 from St. Louis, Missouri, with the goal of exploring and mapping the vast new territory. Their journey took them up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains, and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River. Along the way, they documented plants, animals, and geography; established relations with Native American tribes; and sought—but did not find—a navigable water route to the Pacific. Their achievements provided critical maps and scientific data, fostered peaceful trade relations, and proved that overland travel to the Pacific was possible, paving the way for westward expansion. The following list highlights key sites along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail that crosses 16 states from Pennsylvania to Oregon.
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Lewis & Clark Expedition Timeline
April 1803, Louisiana Purchase
Washington, DC / France
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in 1803 between the United States and France, in which the U.S. bought over 800,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. This doubled the size of the young nation and opened vast territory for exploration and settlement. President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase, and it paved the way for westward expansion, including the famous Lewis and Clark expedition to map and explore the new land.
June 1803, Lewis Prepares
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104 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Website: amphilsoc.org/visit-museum While Philadelphia is not on the official Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail route, it played a critical early role in the preparation phase of the expedition. Meriwether Lewis spent several weeks in Philadelphia in the spring and summer of 1803, learning essential skills for the expedition. He studies botany and zoology from experts at the American Philosophical Society, medicine with Dr. Benjamin Rush, and navigation. He also consulted with President Jefferson’s contacts and gathered books, maps, specimens, thermometers, compasses, and sextants.
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American Philosophical Society
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August 1803, Journey Begins at Point State ParkPoint State Park marks the easternmost point of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. While Meriwether Lewis officially began the journey in St. Louis, he started preparing and gathering supplies in Pittsburgh, where the Ohio River begins. In August 1803, Lewis launched a custom-built keelboat from this spot and began his trip down the Ohio River to meet William Clark. Here you can walk the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers where the Ohio River forms. Explore the Fort Pitt Museum, see the fountain plaza, and learn about early American frontier and expedition history.
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Point State Park
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Fall 1803, Camp Dubois for WinterLewis and Clark assemble their team and supplies. First official winter camp of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Corps of Discovery spent the winter training, recruiting, organizing supplies, and preparing for their journey west. Here you can tour a full scale replica of the expedition's 55-foot keelboat and explore the reconstructed Camp Dubois encampment.
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​​Camp Dubois Keelboat
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May 14, 1804, Expedition Officially BeginsSt. Louis, MO 63102
Website: archpark.org The Corps of Discovery departs up the Missouri River for what is now the Gateway Arch National Park. Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis became the staging ground for westward expansion after the purchase. Explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch that includes the history of Westward Expansion, which includes Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark exhibits.
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Gateway Arch National Park
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August 20, 1804 Death of Sgt. Charles Floyd900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103
Website: nps.gov Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Iowa is a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings to life the Corps of Discovery’s journey through the Siouxland region from July to September 1804. A central focus is the death of Sergeant Charles Floyd, the expedition’s only fatality, who died nearby on August 20, 1804. The center features interactive exhibits, including a replica of the expedition’s keelboat and animatronic figures like Seaman, Lewis’s Newfoundland dog.
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Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
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October 26, 1804 Arrival at Mandan and Hidatsa Villages838 28th Ave SW, Washburn, ND 58577
Website: nps.gov/ Fort Mandan State Historic Site near Washburn, North Dakota. This is where the Corps of Discovery built a fort and spent the winter of 1804–1805. It was here they met and welcomed Sacagawea and her husband Toussaint Charbonneau to the expedition. Tour the reconstructed fort, explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and learn about the time they spent with the Mandan and Hidatsa people.
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Fort Mandan State Historic Site
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February 1805, Sacagawea Joins the ExpeditionFort Mandan, ND – Shoshone woman joins with husband Toussaint Charbonneau. The Corps of Discovery lived at here for about 22 weeks during the winter of 1804 (They left on April 7, 1805). Today you can visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center that shares the story of the Expedition in central North Dakota.
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Fort Mandan Interpretive Center
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June 1805, Great Falls PortageGreat Falls, Montana 59401-59406
Website: .nps.gov |
Great Falls Montana
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August 12, 1805, Cross the Continental at Lemhi Pass DivideMountain Pass on Montana Idaho border
Website: nps.gov/ On August 12, 1805, Meriwether Lewis crossed the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass, realizing there was no all-water route to the Pacific, only rugged mountains ahead. This discovery ended hopes for a Northwest Passage. Soon after, the expedition met the Shoshone Tribe, and Sacagawea helped secure horses to cross the mountains. Today, Lemhi Pass is a quiet, scenic site with interpretive signs marking this important moment in American exploration.
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Lemhi Pass Montana
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August 17, 1805 Meet with Shoshone tribeThe Sacajawea Interpretive Center in Salmon, Idaho, honors Sacajawea and her role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It was here that Sacagawea reunites with her brother and helps secure horses.Located near her birthplace, the center features exhibits on Shoshone culture, the expedition, and offers walking trails, gardens, and cultural events that celebrate local Native heritage.
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Sacajawea Interpretive Center
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September–October, 1805 Cross Bitterroot MountainsThe Lolo Trail in Idaho was one of the most challenging parts of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In September 1805, the Corps of Discovery crossed the rugged Bitterroot Mountains along this ancient Native American trail. They faced steep terrain, cold weather, and a lack of food, pushing their endurance to the limit. Despite the hardships, the trail led them into the lands of the Nez Perce Tribe, who provided critical help.
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Lolo Trail in Idaho
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November 7, 1805 First sight of the Pacific Ocean244 Robert Gray Dr, Ilwaco, WA 98624
Website: parks.wa.gov Cape Disappointment State Park in southwestern Washington (mouth of the Columbia River) Lewis and Clark arrived here in November 1805 and saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Clark writes “Ocean in view!” Explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, walk along scenic coastal trails, and see the site of their dramatic arrival
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Cape Disappointment State Park
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December, 1805 Build Fort ClatsopFort Clatsop National Memorial in Astoria, Oregon. The Corps built and stayed at Fort Clatsop near the Pacific Ocean during the winter of 1805–1806 before returning east. See the replica fort, museum exhibits, ranger talks, and interpretive trails through coastal forest
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Fort Clatsop National Memorial
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​March 23, 1806, Leave Fort Clatsop and head home
July 25, 1806, Clark carves name at Pompeys PillarNear Billings, Montana
Website: nps.gov/ Pompey's Pillar is a significant landmark on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. On July 25, 1806, Captain William Clark carved his name and the date into the sandstone rock—this is the only remaining physical evidence of the expedition still visible on the landscape today. The site was named after Sacagawea’s son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, whom Clark affectionately called “Pomp.” Today, Pompeys Pillar National Monument features a visitor center, trails, and interpretive signs that share stories of the expedition and the area’s Native American history. Clark’s signature is preserved under glass and protected as a national treasure.
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Pompeys Pillar in Montana
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September 23, 1806 Expedition ends
St. Louis, MO Corps of Discovery returns home after traveling 8,000+ miles.
Post Expedition
1809 – Meriwether Lewis diesNear Hohenwald, Tennessee
Website: nps.gov/ Meriwether Lewis Monument and Gravesite monument marks the final resting place of Meriwether Lewis, who died in 1809 while traveling the Natchez Trace. Explore the Meriwether Lewis site along the Natchez Trace Parkway and learn about his later years.
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Meriwether Lewis Monument and Gravesite
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Additional Sites
Sacajawea State ParkNamed in honor of Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who served as guide and interpreter for the Corps. The site marks where the expedition camped in October 1805. Enjoy river views, walk the interpretive trails, and visit the museum that honors Native contributions to the expedition.
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Sacajawea State Park
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