Last updated: December 30, 2021
Place
Lewis and Clark State Park (Iowa)
Iowa State Parks
Quick Facts
Location:
The park is less than five miles from Onawa, Iowa on State Highway 175. It is about 40 miles south of Sioux City.
Significance:
Lewis and Clark Campsite from August 9, 1804
Designation:
State Park
MANAGED BY:
In August 1804, the Corps of Discovery moved up the Missouri River along what is today western Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The party camped on August 9 in a broad, wooded area where the river made a tight bend. The Loess Hills could be spotted to the east whenever there were gaps in the trees.
Between the 1830s and 1870s, the Missouri flooded many times and the main channel of the river migrated about two miles west, leaving behind a small oxbow lake. Here is where local settlers of nearby Onawa, Iowa would create Blue Lake Park. It became a part of the Iowa park system in 1924 when it was renamed Lewis and Clark State Park.
Today, you’ll still find the semi-circular blue lake, surrounded by sand dunes and groves of huge cottonwood trees. And you’ll enjoy an impressive visitor center built in 2013 that houses a display on the Expedition, along with full-size replicas of the keelboat, two pirogues, the iron boat, a dugout canoe, and a bull boat. From April 15 to October 1, another replica keelboat provides guests with short tours of the lake.
The 1930s-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) historic lodge still stands overlooking the water. The park has more than 30 acres of picnic grounds with tables, fire grills, and drinking water. And campers enjoy the large campground with electric and full hook-up sites, a modern restroom, and showers. Those who seek water activities will enjoy a fine beach for sunbathing and swimming, and a boat ramp provides access to the lake.
The park’s Lewis and Clark Festival is held in June each year, featuring movies, history enactors in frontier attire, bluegrass music and historic presentations.
The park is less than five miles from Onawa, Iowa on State Highway 175. It is about 40 miles south of Sioux City. To learn more, go to: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/parkdetails/parkid/610142
Between the 1830s and 1870s, the Missouri flooded many times and the main channel of the river migrated about two miles west, leaving behind a small oxbow lake. Here is where local settlers of nearby Onawa, Iowa would create Blue Lake Park. It became a part of the Iowa park system in 1924 when it was renamed Lewis and Clark State Park.
Today, you’ll still find the semi-circular blue lake, surrounded by sand dunes and groves of huge cottonwood trees. And you’ll enjoy an impressive visitor center built in 2013 that houses a display on the Expedition, along with full-size replicas of the keelboat, two pirogues, the iron boat, a dugout canoe, and a bull boat. From April 15 to October 1, another replica keelboat provides guests with short tours of the lake.
The 1930s-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) historic lodge still stands overlooking the water. The park has more than 30 acres of picnic grounds with tables, fire grills, and drinking water. And campers enjoy the large campground with electric and full hook-up sites, a modern restroom, and showers. Those who seek water activities will enjoy a fine beach for sunbathing and swimming, and a boat ramp provides access to the lake.
The park’s Lewis and Clark Festival is held in June each year, featuring movies, history enactors in frontier attire, bluegrass music and historic presentations.
The park is less than five miles from Onawa, Iowa on State Highway 175. It is about 40 miles south of Sioux City. To learn more, go to: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/parkdetails/parkid/610142