Expedition by Date
Browse National Register properties associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition chronologically.
Virginia: Monticello
Jefferson sent a letter to Congress in 1803 from Monticello. In this letter he asked for $2,500 to finance a trek to the Pacific Ocean
West Virginia: Harpers Ferry
Learn why Meriwether Lewis spent over a month in Harpers Ferry, and how the town contributed to the Expedition
Pennsylvania: Am. Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society was the destination for many of Lewis & Clark's journals, where they remain today
Kentucky: Big Bone Lick
In October of 1803, Meriwether Lewis visited Big Bone Lick, sending specimens back to Thomas Jefferson
Indiana: Old Clarksville Site
William Clark and two recruits for the Corps of Discovery stayed at the elder Clark's cabin in mid-October, 1803
Illinois: Fort Massac
The Corps of Discovery arrived at Fort Massac on November 11, 1803, staying only two days
Illinois: Old Cahokia Courthouse
Lewis & Clark used the courthouse as their headquarters from December 1803 to the spring of 1804
Missouri: Jefferson Expansion Monument
Learn about the important role that St. Louis played in the Lewis and Clark's Expedition
Missouri: St. Charles Historic District
On May 14, 1804 Clark and 42 men docked there and would remain for 6 days while waiting for Lewis to complete business in St. Louis
Missouri: Tavern Cave
On May 23, 1804, two days after leaving St. Charles, the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited Tavern Cave
Missouri: Rocheport Historic District
On June 7, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through the area of modern day Rocheport, Missouri
Missouri: Arrow Rock
Arrow Rock was notable in the journeys that opened the West, beginning with the Lewis and Clark Expedition on June 9, 1804
Nebraska: Leary Site
On July 12, 1804, William Clark visited the Leary Site - burial mounds believed to have been constructed by the Oneota people
Nebraska: Fort Atkinson
On July 30, 1804, the Corps set up camp in an area that would become the first formal meeting between the US and western tribes
Iowa: Sergeant Floyd Monument
On August 20, 1804 Sergeant Charles Floyd passed away due to complications from appendicitis. He was the only member of the Corps to die
South Dakota: Spirit Mound
On August 25, 1804, Lewis, Clark, and several of their men walked nine miles to Spirit Mound from their camp
North Dakota: Knife River Indian Village
The Corps of Discovery spent the Winter of 1804/05 at the Knife River Indian Villages, where they recruited Sacagawea
North Dakota: Big Hidatsa Village Site
The Corps of Discovery constructed Fort Mandan just south of the village site, where they spent the winter of 1804/05
North Dakota: Fort Union Trading Post
In late April 1805 the Corps set up camp near present-day Fort Union, near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers
Montana: Slaughter River
The Corps camped at Slaughter River on May 29, 1805, where they discovered the remains of over 100 bison
Montana: Great Falls Portage
On June 13, 1805, the Great Falls Portage presented the Corps with one of the most challenging ordeals of the Expedition
Montana: Tower Rock
Tower rock marked the transition from the familiarity of the Great Plains to the unknown terrain of the Rockies
Montana: Three Forks of the Missouri
The Corps of Discovery reached the Three Forks of the Missouri on July 25, 1805 - more than 2,500 miles from where they started
Montana: Beaverhead Rock
On August 8, 1805 Sacagawea recognized Beaverhead Rock - where she had been kidnapped years earlier
Idaho/Montana: Lemhi Pass
The Corps of Discovery reached the Lemhi Pass on August 12, 1805
Montana: Clark's Lookout
On August 13, 1805, Clark ascended a limestone outcropping, now known as Clark's Lookout
Montanta: Travelers' Rest
Unable to find a water route to the Pacific, the Corps paused here for two days in early September 1805
Idaho/Montana: Lolo Trail
The Corps of Discovery reached the 200-mile trail in mid-September 1805
Idaho: Weippe Prairie
After traversing the Lolo Trail, the Corps of Discovery descended to the Weippe Prairie between September 20-22, 1805
Oregon: Rock Fort Campsite
On October 25, 1805, the Corps made camp in the bowl of a fort-like outcropping known as Rock Fort Campsite
Washington: Cape Disappointment
On November 15, 1805 most members arrived at Cape Disappointment, where they saw the Pacific Ocean
Washington: Chinook Point
On November 15, 1805, after a year and a half of traveling west, the Corps finally saw the Pacific Ocean near Chinook Point
Oregon: Fort Clatsop
After reaching the Pacific Ocean, the Corps built Fort Clatsop, where they stayed in the winter of 1805/06
Washington: Travois Road
On their return in May of 1806, the Corps of Discovery entered the foothills of the Blue Mountains, near Travois Road
Idaho/Montana: Nez Perce NHP
In late September 1805 the Corps of Discovery made contact with the Nez Perce, who prepared them for the next leg of their journey
Montana: Pompey's Pillar
On their return trip, the Corps of Discovery stopped at Pompey's Pillar on July 25, 1806
Montana: Camp Disappointment
Lewis, George Drouillard and Joseph and Reubin Field stayed at Camp Disappointment from July 22 - 26, 1806
Montana: Two Medicine Site
In late July 1806 Corps members met eight Piegans (Blackfeet). It would result in the only violent encounter of the Expedition
Tennessee: Grinder's Stand
On October 11, 1809, Meriwether Lewis stopped at Grinder's Stand along Old Natchez Trace on his way to Washington
Visit Parks Related To Travel the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Last updated: December 23, 2022