Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail spans an extraordinary 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations, following the exact outbound and inbound routes of the legendary 1803-1806 expedition from Pittsburgh to the Pacific Ocean. Families can explore authentic historic sites like Fort Clatsop in Oregon where the Corps of Discovery spent their winter, walk the same riverbanks along the Missouri River, and discover the complex legacy of America's most famous exploration. The trail's main visitor center sits right on the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska, next to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. What makes this trail truly unique is its accessibility through multiple states and water trails, allowing families to literally follow in the explorers' footsteps whether by foot, boat, or van along designated scenic routes.
Junior Ranger Program at Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
The Junior Ranger program at Lewis & Clark Trail sites engages kids with hands-on activities like map reading, expedition journaling, and learning survival skills used by the Corps of Discovery. Children complete activity booklets at visitor centers and historic sites along the trail, earning their official Junior Ranger badge while discovering what life was like for explorers over 200 years ago.
- Learn to read historic maps and navigate like Lewis & Clark
- Try frontier survival skills and expedition games
- Explore authentic historic sites where the Corps camped
Program Details
Best Ages for Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Ages 5–8
Young explorers love the hands-on activities like decoding messages and learning about expedition members' diverse backgrounds. The tactile relief maps help them understand the massive 4,900-mile journey across North America. The Read-Along videos make activities accessible and engaging for beginning readers.
Ages 9–12
This age group truly connects with the fill-in-the-blank activities about Native lands and the expedition story. They enjoy learning survival skills used by the Corps of Discovery and can handle the more detailed map reading exercises. The program's focus on diverse expedition member backgrounds resonates well with curious middle schoolers.
Ages 13+
Teens and adults appreciate the program's deeper exploration of the complex legacy involving Native American homelands and the expedition's impact. The Junior Ranger Explorer level provides more challenging activities about the expedition's scientific discoveries and cultural encounters. Many families find the online option convenient for completing activities before visiting trail sites.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The main visitor center in Omaha offers easy downtown access with parking near the Missouri River. With trail sites spanning 11 states, families typically choose specific segments based on their route - download the Lewis & Clark Trail app to locate visitor centers with suitable parking for larger vehicles. No entrance fees or advance reservations required at most trail sites.
Van & RV Notes
Many trail sites accommodate larger vehicles, but parking varies significantly by location across 11 states. The Omaha visitor center downtown location works well for most RVs with nearby street parking options. Several trail segments offer campgrounds with hookups, though we recommend checking individual state park facilities along your planned route for specific size restrictions.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall provides the best weather across the trail's vast geography, with most visitor centers fully operational. Summer brings hot conditions in plains states, so carry extra water and check weather.gov for specific regions you plan to visit. Winter travel is possible but watch for ice on trails and limited facility hours at some remote locations.
How Long to Spend
Plan at least a full day per trail segment you want to explore, though many families spread visits across multiple trips given the trail's enormous scope. The Omaha visitor center alone deserves 2-3 hours, while sites like Fort Clatsop easily fill a full day with hiking trails and exhibits.
Don't Miss
The water trails offer an absolutely authentic way to experience the expedition route by boat, following the same rivers Lewis and Clark navigated. Fort Clatsop provides the most immersive experience with its replica winter quarters, surrounding trails like the South Slough Trail, and audio tours that bring the expedition's Pacific Coast winter to life.
Fun Facts for Kids
The expedition covered 4,900 miles through territories that would become 16 states, encountering over 60 different Tribal nations along the way
Sacajawea was the only woman on the expedition and helped navigate and communicate with Native tribes during the journey
The Corps of Discovery identified 178 new plant species and 122 new animal species during their two-year expedition
Lewis and Clark's water route followed some of North America's longest rivers including the Missouri, Snake, and Columbia Rivers
Plan Your Stay
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Where to Stay
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