Lewis and Clark History in Washington and Oregon

In 1804, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out from St. Louis to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Their Corps of Discovery pointed toward the Pacific Ocean, uncertain of what they’d find in this vast unexplored territory. In the process they earned themselves a permanent place in history; their names are almost universally recognizable and their feats the stuff of legend.

A year and a half later, the party journeyed down the Columbia River, between present-day Oregon and Washington, and ended their expedition at the river’s mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Today, historical sites, interpretive centers and museums mark places of significance for the expedition.

Among the many sites to visit is Fort Clatsop, which still stands today and is protected by the National Park Service. The site served as the winter encampment for the Corps of Discovery from December 1805 to March 1806. Across the river in Washington, there is Cape Disappointment State Park, where you’ll find the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

In the scenic Columbia Gorge, you can visit spots where the expedition camped and learn more about the group at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum. For a comprehensive list of sites in both states, visit the Lewis and Clark Trail website.