Safety

Be Safe Out There!

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park offers many opportunities to explore. To help ensure a safe, enjoyable visit, pay attention and follow a few important guidelines as you explore the park.

Know before you go! Please familiarize yourself with park policy to keep yourself safe, and protect the park’s natural resources.

In Case of Emergency Call 911

 

Planning Ahead

• Check the weather and dress appropriately for the condition. Rain gear is helpful during the winter rainy seasons, and sun protection including sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses during the summer months. Consider wearing sturdy walking, hiking or running footwear.
• Trails and walkways especially boardwalks can be slippery when wet and icy, so please take caution.
• There is no food or drink available in the park. Drinking fountains and a water bottle filling station are available at Fort Clatsop Visitor Center. When hiking or walking the trails carry drinking water.
• During the summer months wasps make their nests in the ground throughout the park. Please be careful to stay on the trails to avoid being stung.
• Be sure to tell someone your plans - when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you are returning especially if hiking the park's trails or paddling on the river.
• In case of injury that does not require emergency attention there are first aid kits at the fort replica and visitor center, please see a park ranger for assistance.

Fort Safety:

• The fort rooms are dark, flooring is uneven and often wet, please walk slowly through the rooms.
• Watch fingers if you are opening and closing fort doors.
• Doorways are shorter than typical and may require a step up and duck down.
• You may sit on the lower beds of the bunk beds and chairs, but please no climbing within or on the fort.

Trail Safety:

• Tell someone your plans.
• Check and prepare for the weather. Wind storms are frequent in the late fall through spring. Hiking in a windstorm is hazardous due to falling trees and flying debris. If in doubt check at the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center. The park will close trails and the park due to high winds.
• Carry water and snacks when hiking.
• Wear appropriate footwear and layered clothing.
• Take a map. Be advised: Cellphone coverage is limited throughout the park.
• Know the difficulty level of the trail and your physical abilities and limitations.
• Keep in mind there is no shuttle service back from the Sunset beach parking lot, so if you hike the fort to sea plan on having a car at the beach, or a 13 mile hike.

Water Safety:

The Netul Landing offers a great opportunity to explore the Lewis and Clark River by water via non-motorized water crafts.

• Wear your PFD. This is a Oregon State Law for kids.
• Know the tides. The rivers and sloughs in and around the park are subject to 9 to 10 foot tides which can create strong unexpected currents.
• Check the weather. Even in the summer months there can be winds that cause unsafe conditions for canoes and kayaks.
• Carry water and snacks.
• Wear weather appropriate clothing and have spares in vehicle in case you get wet.
• Take a map and tide chart. Know where you are going and the possible water hazards.
• Know the difficulty level of the water trail and your physical abilities and limitations.
• The boat ramp can be muddy and slippery. Take precautions when entering and exiting the water.