Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Lewis and Clark State Park is a 621-acre camping park situated in one of the last major stands of old-growth forest in the state. Coniferous trees, streams, wetlands, dense vegetation and wet prairie comprise the park environment.



Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Closed Sept. 30, reopens May 1.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

Campsite Information:

The park has 25 tent spaces, nine utility sites, five primitive equestrian sites, one hiker/biker site, two restrooms and two showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have limited availability). All campsites are first come, first served.

Group Accommodations:

Two group camps are reservable by calling the park office at (360) 864-2643. Prices vary with size of the group. The camps have a 50 person capacity and include running water, tables, stoves, fire ring and vault toilets.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Driving Directions

Located 12 miles south of Chehalis, Wash., on the I-5 corridor in Lewis County.


Park address:
4583 Jackson Highway
Winlock, WA 98596

From I-5: Take exit # 68, and head east on Hwy. 12 about 2.5 miles. At Jackson Hwy., turn right, heading south. Continue about two miles to park entrance.

Park Maps

Lewis & Clark downloadable pdf map #1


List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.

Park Features

The park contains a vast stand of rare old-growth forest. It is a Civilian Conservation Corps park, and many of the buildings constructed by the corps remain in use today.

History

Lewis and Clark State Park, which is actually separate from the Lewis and Clark Trail, began as a "public camp" for automobile tourists in 1922. Two years later, more than 10,000 people visited the park annually.

The old north spur of the Oregon Trail, which extended from the Cowlitz River landing to the city of Tumwater, passed directly through the present park site. When pioneers used this road, ramps had to be built over some of the downed logs (six to nine feet in diameter), since they had no saws capable of cutting the giants.

The park has a unique stand of old-growth forest, primarily Douglas fir and red cedar. It is one of the last old-growth forest stands remaining along Hwy. 99. Two-thirds of the old-growth trees were blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (8.5 million board feet of the original 13.5 million). The park was closed for three years to make repairs and plant trees.

Located nearby, the John R. Jackson House was the first American pioneer home built north of the Columbia River. It was constructed in 1845 by the man for whom it is named. The original house has deteriorated completely. The current log cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The Jackson family has donated some original pioneer artifacts, which are on display at the cabin.

Interpretive opportunities

There is a self-guided half-mile interpretive trail in the park, featuring information on the park's old growth forest.

Jackson House tours are available year-round by appointment. Call (360) 864-2643.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park	Available in the area
• Camping • Pay phone	• Auto repair • Camping • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Postal service • Recreational equipment • Wood

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 8 mi. Hiking Trails • 5 mi. Horse Trails		• 1 Amphitheater • 2 Fire Circles • 3 Horseshoe pits • Interpretive Activities • 1 Volleyball Field
The park also offers a playfield, playground and rocking horses. June is Youth Fishing Month, when children ages 14 and younger can fish the creek.

Events

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The park provides two kitchen shelters with electricity, fireplaces and running water. One is available on a first-come, first-served basis, while the other is reservable by calling the park office at (360) 864-2643.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Bears • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels	• Crows or Ravens • Grouse • Herons • Hummingbirds • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Woodpeckers	• Bullhead • Salmon • Trout

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life	Special
Caverns were formed under the park and surrounding area by cooling lava from Mount Rainier. These caverns are presently being used for the storage of natural gas.		• Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Alder • Cherry • Maple • Oak • Lupines • Rhododendron • Rose • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens	The park features euonymus occidentalis, Pacific yew, wet prairie and views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Park photo gallery