Visitor Information
On October 2, 1968, Congress enacted the National Trails System Act and recommended the Lewis and Clark Trail for inclusion as a part of the National Trails System. In 1978, Public Law 95-625, amended the National Trails System Act to include the new category of National Historic Trails and designated the Lewis and Clark Trail as one of four National Historic Trails. The primary purpose of a National Historic Trail is commemoration of the historic events that form the Trail's central theme through historic interpretation, preservation, and public use.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. These cooperating interests manage existing retracement routes, recreation sites, interpretive facilities, and visitor centers along the route. There are three types of components of the trail: sites, segments, and motor routes. With the complex land ownership and jurisdictions that exist, it may not be possible to follow the trail using one continuous mode of travel. The NPS publishes and distributes a general information brochure with a map of the trail that can be used for planning purposes.
Brochures
The Trail brochure is free of charge. It includes a map of the route with some sites located and general information regarding the trail. Please send your complete postal mailing address when requesting the brochure. You can e-mail your information request to LECL_Information@nps.gov. It is very helpful if you will let us know if you are traveling a specific section of the trail (such as Idaho or South Dakota only).
If you need a large quanity (200 and up) of the brochures, please e-mail Laurie Heupel. Large quantities require UPS shipping. UPS will not deliver to Post Office Boxes or Rural Routes. Laurie will need a street address for the shipping label. Please be sure to inlcude that information in your request to her.
Trail Sites
Click here for information and links to the parks and interpretive centers along the trail. Recommended for anyone planning on traveling the trail.
Traveling the Trail
If you are planning on following the Lewis & Clark NHT, there are motor routes established which parallel the orginal water route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Much of the route is marked by a rectangular sign such as the one to the left.
The following list of resources involve different aspects of travel on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail such as road maps, things to see and places to stay.
AUTOMOBILE
Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark, Second Edition, by Barbara Fifer and Vicky Soderberg; maps by Joseph Mussulman. Historical highlights and colorful road maps of the entire trail from Washington D.C. to the west coast. Call Montana Magazine at 1-800-654-1105 to order.
Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark, 1803-1805, poster sized map, call Montana Magazine at 1-800-654-1105 to order.
Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark, Travel Planner and Guide, 2002-2003 edition, Camp Dubois to the west coast, historical highlights, sites and colorful road maps. Call Montana Magazine at 1-800-654-1105 to order.
Traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail, by Julie Fanselow, 1-800-582-2665 to order.
Guide to the Lewis & Clark Trail , by National Geographic, Thomas Schmidt; features many parks and sites along the trail; available in most bookstores.Lewis and Clark, The Trail of Discovery, an on-going project which furnishes audiocassette and Audio CD formats for traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail. It is a multi-volume and multi-state series of recordings. Vol. 1 (Illinois), 9 (Oregon) and 10 (Washington) are available now, but please check their site for further progress. The Car Tours Foundation, 6736 38th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126; or visit website www.cartours.org.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition: A Traveler's Companion for Oregon and Washington, by Stuart & Kathy Watson. Call 1-800-781-3211 to order.BICYCLE
Cyclosource, the 2003 Bicycle Map Catalog, has an article "Ride the Lewis & Clark Trail" with map and route information for bicyclists. Order through website www.adventurecycling.org or call 800-721-8719; FAX 406-721-8754.
Bicycling the Lewis & Clark Trail, by The Adventure Cycling Association, ed. Michael McCoy; detailed maps, places of interest and mileage. Good also for auto travel.
Bicycle Guide to the Lewis & Clark Trail, by Tod Rodger; detailed maps, trip planning, photos, and town descriptions. Order by calling 978-456-8654 or by www.deerfootpublications.com.
BOAT
Missouri River Traveler's Guide and Journal - USACES Omaha Disrict. Guide has safety, wildife, cultural resources, tribal contacts, and more. Websites for the Missouri River - www.nwo.usace.army.mil (Omaha), www.nwk.usace.army.mil (Kansas City District), www.nwd.usace.army.mil (Northwest Division) and www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil (Missouri River Water Management).
Call the Missouri River Information Center for maps and information at 866-285-3219.
Montana's Wild and Scenic Upper Missouri River, by Glen Monahan and Chanler Biggs; a floating guide with historical reference.
For Missouri River conditions, flow charts, current issues and events; links to the Coast Guard, USGS, USFWS, Army Corps of Engineers, travelers services and boating on the river visit the website www.omahariverfront.com.
For photos of docks, ramps and landing places along the Missouri River plus list of services and links to boating sites visit the website www.missouririvertrips.com.
For information about communities on the Missouri River, special projects, Lewis and Clark activities, important river-related links and the Missouri flotilla visit the Missouri River Communities website www.moriver.org.
Passport Stamp Locations
Click here for information on the sites along the trail where the NPS Passport Book stamps can be collected for the Lewis & Clark NHT.
Tourism & Commercial Outfitters
Click here for information about general tourism and commercial outfitters in the states along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
