Lewis & Clark Bicentennial

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in Oregon

(Website Source: http://www.lcbo.net/)

It’s been nearly 200 years since U.S. President Thomas Jefferson dispatched Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Corps of Discovery to find a water route connecting the interior of the country to the trade routes of the Pacific.

Now it’s your turn.

You don’t need a presidential commission to take this trip, or to find out more about Lewis & Clark’s journey in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

The Corps of Discovery

Walk a mile — or more than 450 miles through Oregon and Washington — and follow in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and the rest of the courageous team who, led by Sacagawea, explored what is now present-day Oregon and Washington from October 1805 to May 1806.

With a charge from President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Pacific Northwest, navigate the Columbia River and reach the Pacific Ocean for future trade opportunities, the explorers accomplished extraordinary feats. When the journey began, Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery could not have imagined what their adventure would entail. They encountered native people, resulting in a clash of cultures that continues today. They documented plant and animal species not previously categorized by science. On their journey, the Corps passed through a diverse land of high desert hills, evergreen forests, caves, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and wild rivers.

Sunset at Fort Stevens on the coast

The unique attributes found in this region were spirited treasures to Lewis and Clark and continue to attract today's adventurers. From history to hiking, rafting to relaxing — Oregon and Washington offer something for everyone. Learn about the tribal people who lived, and continue to live, throughout the Pacific Northwest, and the critical role they played in helping the Corps of Discovery with their journey toward the Pacific Ocean. Spend the night near one of the many sites where Lewis and Clark set up camp. Visit hundreds of culturally diverse communities and towns along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Although much of the area has been developed, it's likely you'll see some of the same scenery Lewis and Clark saw 200 years ago.

Arriving in the Pacific Northwest, Lewis and Clark found a lush countryside rich with possibility. And the promise of yesterday is today's reality — from the trade routes along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers to Hood River's many orchards to the numerous vineyards in Eastern Washington.

Oregon Sites: Region 5

The coastal region, where the Columbia River flows into the Pacific Ocean, signifies the western end of the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Corps' ultimate destination. Relatively unspoiled by time, this area, heavily influenced by the river and of great historic significance, will take you back to a simpler time. Escape to the past and experience one of the many historic sites or stay in the present and enjoy the diverse landscape surrounding this area.

Columbia County Historical Society Museum

(museum/interpretive center)
Learn what Lewis and Clark did and where they camped while passing through what is now Columbia County. Hwy 30, Vernonia, OR

Prescott Beach County Park

(corps historic site) (museum/interpretive center)
Interpretive signage marks where the Corps camped "under a point of high ground, with thick pine trees." Hwy 30, Rainier, OR

Cowlitz County Historical Museum

(museum/interpretive center)
View Cowlitz Indian cultural artifacts displayed at this museum that honors the cultural heritage of the people of the Lower Columbia region. Off Interstate 5, in Kelso, WA

Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge

(corps historic site) (wildlife refuge)
Here Lewis and Clark first encountered and described for science the now endangered Columbia white-tailed deer and elk species. Viewing platforms overlook a critical habitat for a variety of wildlife and fish. Hwy 4, in Cathlamet, WA

Lewis & Clark National Wildlife Refuge/Twilight Cr. Eagle Sanctuary

face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif color=#000000 size=2>(wildlife refuge)
From Twilight Creek Eagle Sanctuary, look out over 35,000 acres of mudflats, tidal marshes, open water and islands, and view hundreds of plant and animal species and thousands of waterfowl in the winter. Off Hwy 30, east of Astoria, OR

Tillamook Head/Ecola State Park/Les Shirley Park

(corps historic site)
Clark and a party of 13 saw a beached whale here and later bargained for 300 pounds of blubber. Follow interpretive signage through coastal forest trails and access to the beach. Hwy 101, near Cannon Beach, OR

Salt Works

(corps historic site)
The city of Seaside, with its historic oceanfront Promenade and vibrant sunsets, is home to Salt Works, a reconstructed salt oven showing how a small party from the Corps boiled seawater for salt. Hwy 101, OR

Astoria Column

See historic murals of the Corps of Discovery, a replica of a native burial canoe, interpretive signage and panoramic views of many Lewis and Clark sites. near downtown Astoria, OR

Columbia River Maritime Museum

(museum/interpretive center)
Enjoy more than 7,000 artifacts including exhibits on tribes of the North Coast, a Cathlamet cedar dugout canoe and the lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark, at the only nationally accredited maritime museum in the western United States. Astoria, OR

Fort Clatsop National Memorial

(corps historic site) (corps campsite)
This is where the Corps established their winter camp in 1805-06 for more than 100 days, only 12 without rain. Experience the replica of the fort, hiking trails, a canoe landing, visitor center and bookstore at this National Park Service site. Hwy 101, in Astoria, OR

Fort Stevens State Park

(corps historic site) (museum/interpretive center)
This park, called "Clatsop town" by Clark, offers an interpretive center on military life with a replica longhouse. Enjoy hiking trails, camping, wildlife viewing and a historic shipwreck. Interpretive signage. Off Hwy 101, near Warrenton, OR

Astoria-Megler Bridge

(corps historic site) (corps campsite)
In the area where the bridge now stands, the Corps was trapped for two weeks by torrential rains and winds. This is the longest bridge in the Pacific Northwest, covering the entire 4.1 miles across the Columbia River to link Oregon and Washington. Astoria, OR

Megler Rest Area

(corps historic site) (corps campsite)
Due to a terrible storm, the Corps was trapped here for more than five days. Hwy 401, WA

Station Camp

(corps historic site) (corps campsite)
Visit Lewis and Clark Campsite park where the Corps first viewed the ocean and established Station Camp near a Chinook village. On November 24, 1805 the Corps - including every member of the party - took a vote and determined the winter campsite of 1805-1806, Fort Clatsop. Interpretive signage. Hwy 101, near Chinook, WA

Fort Columbia State Park

(corps historic site) (museum/interpretive center)
Home to an interpretive center on military life and Chinook Indian culture. Enjoy hiking with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Station Camp. Lewis and Clark experienced similar views when they walked these hillsides. Hwy 101, Chinook, WA

Fort Canby State Park/Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

(museum/interpretive center)
Lewis and Clark both led expeditions to Cape Disappointment. The park offers miles of beach, two lighthouses - one of which is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast - and hiking trails surrounding Cape Disappointment. It is home to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center displaying Lewis and Clark artifacts and featuring huge murals, paintings, photographs and entries from the original journals. Hwy 101, near Ilwaco, WA

Ilwaco Heritage Museum

(museum/interpretive center)
This Lewis and Clark site allows visitors to better understand the experiences of the Corps of Discovery during their stay at the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can learn about Chinook Indian culture and the "railroad that ran by the tide." Hwy 101, Ilwaco, WA

Wahkiakum County Historical Museum

(museum/interpretive center)
This museum displays artifacts from various Northwest tribes, farm implements, logging equipment and guns. Hwy 4, Cathlamet, WA

Lewis & Clark Events Calendar

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