Last updated: August 27, 2026
Place
Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center
Quick Facts
Location:
100 Valmont Drive, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Amenities
11 listed
Entrance Passes for Sale, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead
Large, mature trees cover most of the 79-acres of the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center grounds, giving guests a sense of what this western bluff above the river valley would have been like when the Corps of Discovery passed below in 1804 and 1806.
Located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the Missouri River Basin Center is a 12,000-square-foot, three-story showcase focused on the flora and fauna, and the scientific discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition – the only museum or visitor center dedicated to these aspects of the Corps. Plus, the exhibits and displays were designed with the expert advice of the University of Nebraska’s distinguished professor, Dr. Gary E. Moulton, the nation’s definitive editor of the Lewis and Clark journals, who served as the Center’s first In-Resident Scholar.
Exhibits inside the center present interesting information and displays about the animals, birds, plants, fish, boats, and medicinal practices of the journey. A 32-minute film is shown in the Center’s theatre and provides a sense of the sights and sounds of what it would have been like to travel with the brave explorers over 200 years ago.
Outside, you can explore full-sized replicas of a Plains Indian earth lodge and Camp River Dubois, the point of departure for the Corps of Discovery. Also on the grounds are numerous trails of a variety of distances where you can hike through meadows and heavily wooded hills, and even escape to an overlook of the Missouri River in the valley below.
Throughout the year, the staff plans several special events which bring the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life. Inside the Center is a large gift shop filled with books, unique gifts, apparel, jewelry, and more.
Visit the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center website for current hours, fees, and a list of upcoming events. The website also features a section especially for teachers and home-schoolers.
Located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the Missouri River Basin Center is a 12,000-square-foot, three-story showcase focused on the flora and fauna, and the scientific discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition – the only museum or visitor center dedicated to these aspects of the Corps. Plus, the exhibits and displays were designed with the expert advice of the University of Nebraska’s distinguished professor, Dr. Gary E. Moulton, the nation’s definitive editor of the Lewis and Clark journals, who served as the Center’s first In-Resident Scholar.
Visitor info:
As you walk up to the Center’s front doors, you can’t miss the full-size, 55-foot-long replica keelboat waiting to be explored.Exhibits inside the center present interesting information and displays about the animals, birds, plants, fish, boats, and medicinal practices of the journey. A 32-minute film is shown in the Center’s theatre and provides a sense of the sights and sounds of what it would have been like to travel with the brave explorers over 200 years ago.
Outside, you can explore full-sized replicas of a Plains Indian earth lodge and Camp River Dubois, the point of departure for the Corps of Discovery. Also on the grounds are numerous trails of a variety of distances where you can hike through meadows and heavily wooded hills, and even escape to an overlook of the Missouri River in the valley below.
Throughout the year, the staff plans several special events which bring the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life. Inside the Center is a large gift shop filled with books, unique gifts, apparel, jewelry, and more.
Visit the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center website for current hours, fees, and a list of upcoming events. The website also features a section especially for teachers and home-schoolers.