News Release

Sixteen states, 4,900 miles, one Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Date: May 10, 2019
Contact: Mark Weekley, 402-661-1806
Contact: Ashley Danielson, 402-661-1834

Sixteen states, 4,900 miles, one Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

1,200 miles added to help tell a more complete story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Omaha, Neb. –No trip begins without preparation and this is especially true for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  To commemorate the importance of preparation for the expedition, 1,200 miles have just been added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed on March 12, 2019 includes the trail extension, which adds an additional 1,200 miles to the national historic trail starting at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  

The trail extension will increase opportunities for interpretation and education, particularly the activities that happened in preparation for the expedition. Additionally, it will highlight recreational opportunities along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and will engage partners and stakeholders in trail management and related activities.

National Park Service staff will work with partners and communities to integrate the new trail extension with the existing trail and continue to build strong state and local partnerships.  

“Working with our new partners is an important first step,” said Trail Superintendent Mark Weekley. “We are excited to include the rest of the story of this renowned journey with the additional 1,200 miles of trail. Our new partners will be integral to the trail’s future.”  

The 4,900 miles of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail now traverses the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. 

For additional information about the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, please call 402-661-1806 or visit www.nps.gov/lecl and join the conversation at www.facebook.com/lewisandclarknht and www.twitter.com/LewisClarkTrail.
 
About the National Park Service:  More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s more than 400 national parks and work with communities across the nation to preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.  

 

Lewis reenactor on keelboat on the Ohio River

NPS