Around the turn of the 19th century, explorers Lewis and Clark spent three years traversing the American West in search of a water route to the Pacific. While their group, known as the Corps of Discovery , never found one, they did map out a vast swath the country’s newly acquired territory and informed those living back East of the people and landscapes they’d found. Over two hundred years later, it’s possible to follow in their footsteps on the Lewis and Clark Trail, including some more remote sections that have changed little since that historic journey.
Planning Your Ride on the Lewis and Clark Trail The Lewis and Clark Trail is not so much a defined roadway as a series of attractions that highlight the explorers’ travels. These include interpretive centers dedicated to their exploration, state parks that surround the landmarks mentioned in their journals, and Native American cultural centers with information about the tribes that assisted the Corps of Discovery in their travels.
From Wood River, Illinois to Great Falls, Montana, the Lewis and Clark Trail follows the Missouri River as closely as possible. From there, it crosses over the Rocky Mountains and then follows the Columbia River watershed to what is now Astoria, Oregon . The distance varies depending on the side trips you choose to take, but is between 3000 and 4000 miles, which takes a few weeks if you want to do it right.
The route follows a similar path back over the mountains to return to Illinois, but if you paid attention in history class, you know that Lewis and Clark split up on their way back. Clark took a more southern route through Montana along the Yellowstone River, which meets up with the Missouri along the North Dakota border. This is an enjoyable detour that doesn’t really add any time to the trip, allowing you to visit the area around the towns of Bozeman and Livingston , which is well known for its hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities if you’re looking for a side trip. Yellowstone National Park is also nearby, and could add several additional days if you’re keen on exploring it.
Fuel For the most part, you won’t need to worry about fuel on this route. You’ll never be further than a hundred miles from the nearest gas station; just top up when you need it, and for peace of mind, download an app like GasBuddy for a convenient map of where the next fuel stops will be.
Accommodations and Food While the route does take you through some of America’s less populated states, you’ll never be too far from a hotel or restaurant. However, you are tracing the Corps of Discovery’s path through the uncharted wilderness, so there’s reason not to spend at least a few nights sleeping under the stars. The cheapest and simplest way to do this is to chart out where the route crosses through National Forest lands, where you can pitch a tent for free as long as you’re a few hundred feet from a road or trail.
While you might think the Midwest doesn’t have much to offer in the way of fine dining, this is a great opportunity to explore some regional cuisine : potato crepes in North Dakota, huckleberry pies in Montana, or fried ravioli in Missouri. Take the time to enjoy some small town restaurants – there are definitely some hidden gems there.
Sights The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana, has some of the best exhibits recounting the explorers’ journey. The town is built amidst a series of waterfalls that blocked their upriver travel and made it clear that a water route to the Pacific Ocean was impossible.
Another favorite among riders is Fort Clatsop , on the Oregon coast. This is where the Corps ended their journey and spent the winter of 1805 planning their trip back.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center – Photo Credit: US Army Center of Military History Beaverhead Rock. – Photo Credit: Spend a Day Touring LLC / CC BY Fort Clatsop – Photo Credit: Doug Kerr / CC BY Featured Image of Lewis and Clark Trail Sign – Photo Credit: xnatedawg / CC BY
