Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

This route runs from Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania to the Pacific coast in Oregon and Washington, covering roughly 7,900 kilometers (4,900 miles) through sixteen states. The path follows the Missouri River upstream, crosses the Rocky Mountains, and then tracks the Columbia River downstream to the ocean.

A group led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark left St. Louis in 1804 and reached the Pacific two years later, making contact with numerous indigenous nations along the way. The journey brought back detailed records of geography, plants, and animals that expanded knowledge of the western portion of the continent.

The rivers and mountain passes along this route carried names long before the Corps arrived, and many of those names remain in use by communities who still live here. Travelers encounter places where languages, trade, and ceremonies took place between different groups, and where these relationships continue today.

Several visitor centers along the way offer maps and information about nearby sections that can be explored on foot or by canoe. The headquarters in Omaha provides materials to help plan hikes and camping trips along selected segments.

In 2019 the route was expanded by an additional 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) running along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, incorporating the original starting point. This expansion made it the longest route within the national system.

Location: Iowa

Location: Idaho

Location: Illinois

Location: Indiana

Location: Kansas

Location: Kentucky

Location: Missouri

Location: Montana

Location: Nebraska

Location: North Dakota

Location: Ohio

Location: Oregon

Location: Pennsylvania

Location: South Dakota

Location: Washington

Location: West Virginia

Inception: 1978

Website: https://nps.gov/lecl

GPS coordinates: 46.00360,-108.00900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:49