Montage of Washington State Park scenes
spacer

Maryhill State Park – At the East End of the Gorge

1805 To the Pacific – Down the Columbia, moving fast

On Oct. 22, 1805, the Corps of Discovery paddled quickly by the present site of Maryhill State Park. Clark noted they 'passed a verry bad rapid at the head of an Island close under the Stard. Side, above this rapid on the Stard Side is Six Lodges of nativs Drying fish.' It is likely that the six lodges stood somewhere within the present-day state park.


1806 The Return Home – Up the Columbia, on foot and afloat

By the time the Expedition reached the site of Maryhill State Park on their 1806 return journey, they had traded away most of the canoes. The majority of the Expedition members were now on foot, leading pack horses loaded with their baggage. Men in the last two canoes paddled against the spring current. These canoes would be traded for horses in a few more miles.

Just west of today's state park, steep cliffs next to the river forced the land-based explorers to follow Indian trails up and over the high cliffs. When they dropped back down to the level of the river, they passed through the landscape now known as Maryhill State Park.

Today, visitors can walk, picnic, camp and enjoy the beautiful setting, where the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition walked in 1806.



History of the journey through Washington The Corps of Discovery Enters Washington Sacajawea State Park – Reaching the Columbia River at Last! Proceeding Down the Columbia Maryhill State Park – At the East End of the Gorge Columbia Hills State Park – Between the Long and Short Narrows Doug's Beach State Park – The Friendly Village Beacon Rock State Park – A Remarkable Rock Approaching the Coast Station Camp State Park – End of the Voyage Fort Columbia State Park – Over the Rocky Point Cape Disappointment State Park – Clark's Trip to the Ocean A Shortcut on the Way Home Lewis and Clark Trail State Park – On the Overland Shortcut

  1. History of the journey through Washington
  2. The Corps of Discovery Enters Washington
  3. Sacajawea State Park – Reaching the Columbia River at Last!
  4. Proceeding Down the Columbia
  5. Maryhill State Park – At the East End of the Gorge
  6. Columbia Hills State Park – Between the Long and Short Narrows
  7. Doug's Beach State Park – The Friendly Village
  1. Beacon Rock State Park – A Remarkable Rock
  2. Approaching the Coast
  3. Station Camp State Park – End of the Voyage
  4. Fort Columbia State Park – Over the Rocky Point
  5. Cape Disappointment State Park – Clark's Trip to the Ocean
  6. A Shortcut on the Way Home
  7. Lewis and Clark Trail State Park – On the Overland Shortcut


Next section of journey history
Return to Lewis and Clark Main Menu