• Nez Perce National Historical Park. Front Page banner photograph is of Heart of the Monster, an ancient place where the Nez Perce creation story originates. The secondary page photograph is of Nez Perce beadwork.

    Nez Perce

    National Historical Park ID,MT,OR,WA

Lewis and Clark and the Nez Perce

Lewis and Clark Expedition Drawing by Roy Anderson, ca. 1983

Lewis and Clark met the Nez Perce in September of 1805. They saved the expedition from starvation and formed a bond of friendship.

NPS Image, NEPE-HI-1773.

Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark crossed Nez Perce country in the fall of 1805 and again in the spring of 1806. With the exception of their winter encampments, the Corps of Discovery spent more time among the Nez Perce than any other group they encountered in their journey. After some initial apprehension, the Nez Perce embraced the expedition, providing aid during a very trying time and reminded friendly to Lewis and Clark when they returned in 1806. In the aftermath of the expedition's departure, the promises of a productive relationship with the United States government proved to ring hollow. In a generation, the flight of 1877 would tear asunder any notions of lasting peace and friendship.

An interpretive bulletin is available for Lewis and Clark sites in Nez Perce NHP.

  • Explore the Nez Perce Trail Explore the Nez Perce Trail

    link to the trail web site Read More

Did You Know?

Tolo Lake

For centuries the Nez Perce used Tolo Lake or Tepalewam as a gathering place. In June, 1877 the Wallowa Nez Perce paused here before their final move to the  Reservation.  Brooding over past injustices, warriors raided homes on the Salmon River, precipitating events that would trigger the 1877 War.