Appointed by President Thomas Jefferson 200 years ago, Captain Meriwether Lewis was
assigned to explore the unknown northwest territory and find a navigable
passage to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis selected William Clark as his co-commander.
Near the end of their westward journey (during the autumn
of 1805), they traveled through one of the most scenic and spectacular parts of their
expedition – present-day Washington state from the Snake River to the Columbia River Gorge
region and the Pacific.
There are a number of state parks located along the historic Lewis and Clark Trail
in southern Washington. They offer day visits, overnight stays, interpretive sites and points of
interest, plus numerous attractions and opportunities for leisure activities.
To visit state parks along the route and stay overnight is to experience the adventure and relive the journey.
Follow the expedition's trail in Washington down the Columbia river to the
Pacific Ocean and visit state parks as you make the journey.
Overnight accommodations include:
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Camping |
RVing |
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Yurts |
Cabins |
Vacation Houses |
From Eastern Washington to the Pacific Ocean, the following state parks are located
along the Lewis and Clark Highway and Lewis and Clark Expedition route:
1. Lewis and Clark Trail State Park on the Touchet River
Lewis and Clark followed a well-used American Indian trail as they passed through this area on their eastward journey in 1806.
Living depiction campfire program of the Expedition from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Individual campsites (first-come, first-served basis) and group camp (summer reservations available)
2. Sacajawea State Park at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers
This was the Expedition's campsite from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, 1805, and the site of its meeting with several American Indian tribes.
Interpretive center focuses on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the role of Sacagawea.
Day-use park
3. Maryhill State Park on the Columbia River
As Lewis and Clark passed through this area on Oct. 22, 1805, they observed American Indians drying fish.
Excellent wind surfing and kite boarding site in the Columbia Gorge.
Individual campsites, utility sites, group camp (all reservable year round) and boat launch
4. Columbia Hills State Park on the Columbia River
Lewis and Clark camped on the site near a Native American Wishram village and described their wooden houses in Expedition journals. Here the Expedition camped to examine the long narrows of the Columbia, which Clark described as "Swelling, boiling & whorling in every direction."
Looming above the location of the Expedition's campsite, the basalt cliffs of Horsethief Butte leave a reminder of the powerful effects of the Ice Age Floods.
Declared a National Historic Site, the park contains a large number of excellent examples of Native American petroglyphs and pictographs.
Individual tent sites (first-come, first-served basis), utility sites and boat launch
5. Doug's Beach State Park on the Columbia River
Lewis and Clark stopped for supplies at an American Indian village in the area. Clark called it "the friendly village."
Premiere windsurfing and kite-boarding site on the Columbia River.
Day-use park
6. Spring Creek Hatchery State Park on the Columbia River
Expedition members spent much of Oct. 28, 1805, on shore, waiting for the wind to die down. The next day they passed this site as they paddled down river.
Premiere windsurfing and kite-boarding site on the Columbia River.
Day-use park
7. Beacon Rock State Park in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The core of an ancient volcano, this massive rock was named by Lewis and Clark. Here they could see the Columbia River rising and falling with the tide of the Pacific Ocean.
Trail with 53 switchbacks leads to the summit, with outstanding panoramic views.
Individual campsites (first-come, first-served basis), group camp (summer reservations available) and boat launch
8. Station Camp State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River
Here is where the Expedition ended its westward voyage by water and where the group "voted" on a location to spend the winter of 1805-1806.
Day-use park
9. Fort Columbia State Park on the Columbia River
Clark and his exploring party hiked over this area on their way to the Pacific Ocean. The park is now one of the few intact coastal defense sites in the United States, and includes historic turn-of-the century buildings.
Vacation house rentals
10. Cape Disappointment State Park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean
This is the location where Clark and his exploring party first stood on the shores of the open ocean. Clark wrote in Expedition journals, "men appear much Satisfied with their trip beholding with estonishment the high waves dashing against the rocks & this emence ocian." They camped at this location on Nov. 18, 1805, and continued their explorations up the Pacific Coast the next day.
The recently expanded Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center details the expedition with multi-media exhibits and artifacts.
The park also features the renowned North Head and Cape Disappointment lighthouses and the historic Victorian Colbert house.
Individual campsites, utility sites, yurts, cabins, vacation house rentals and boat launch (reservation available year round for all overnight accommodations)
Located near the highway and route:
11. Battle Ground Lake State Park in the Cascade Mountain foothills
Features beautiful forested land and a spring-fed lake stocked with trout and a favorite of anglers.
Year-round reservations for cabins and group camp, summer reservations for individual campsites*
25 standard campsites
Eight full hookup utility sites
Group camp for up to 64 people, with adirondack shelters
Cabins*
Horse camp – call (360) 687-4621 to reserve
12. Goldendale Observatory State Park in southeast Washington
Stargaze year-round through one of the largest public telescopes.
Day use, with camping nearby at Maryhill state park
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Reserve online now
Information and free brochures: (360) 902-8844
The Lewis and Clark bicentennial, a national commemoration of the famous expedition, takes place between 2003 and 2006. Take the journey now and experience the adventure.
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