Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail Sites

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was established by Congress in 1978 as a component of the National Trails System. Administered by the National Park Service in partnership with other Federal, State, and local agencies along with private organizations and landowners. The National Park Service working with the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation have designated the following as Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail sites:

Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota Trail Sites

Indian Cave State Park - Shubert, NE
Panoramic views of the Missouri River and interpretive exhibits can be found at this state park where the expedition encountered a violent storm and camped here on July 14, 1804.

Western Historic Trails Center - Council Bluffs, IA
Located near the Missouri River, visitors to this center will receive orientation to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail as well as the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails.

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park - Fort Calhoun, NE
The Expedition first set up camp in the area on July 30, 1804, and held council with the Oto and Missouri Indians on August 3, 1804 giving the "Council Bluffs area its name. Clark later recommended the site for the location of a fort which was built in 1820. The Park has an interpretive center and hosts living history events.

Lewis and Clark State Park - Onawa, IA
Located at the spot where the Expedition landed on August 10, 1804, the Park has interpretive signs, a full scale keelboat replica, and hosts living history events and an annual Lewis and Clark Festival in late June.

Blackbird Hill - Decatur, NE
Lewis and Clark visited the site of the grave of the great Omaha Chief Blackbird on August 11, 1804. An interpretive pavillion is nearby on Highway 75. The site is closed to the public but a scenic overlook at the Lewis and Clark State Park near Onowa, IA gives visitors a view of the site.

Sergeant Floyd Monument and Welcome Center - Sioux City, IA
An obelisk marks the grave of Sgt. Charles Floyd, Jr. who died on August 20, 1804. Floyd was the only casualty on the Expedition. A Welcome Center with a museum is located in a dry docked steamboat.

Ponca State Park - Ponca, NE
The park is located at the eastern end of the Missouri National Recreational River and offers interpretive exhibits and outdoor activities.

Missouri National Recreational River - NE & SD
Designated under the Scenic River Act in 1978, two free-flowing segments of the Missouri River gives visitors a glimpse of how the untamed river looked before modern man changed it forever.

Spirit Mound - near Vermillion, SD
Lewis and Clark visited Spirit Mound on August 25, 1804. The mound is a high point in the middle of the prairie north of Vermillion. Local Indians claimed that "little people or Spirits" inhabited the mound. Lewis and Clark climbed to the top of the mound but no sign of little men, but could see for miles and saw a herd of about 800 buffalo.

Lewis and Clark Lake Visitor Center - Yankton, SD
Located atop Calumet Bluff just downstream from the Gavins Point Powerplant, this site offers spectacular views of Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River. The Center features exhibits, a theater, and the Dorian Prairie Garden.

Niobrara State Park - Niobrara, NE
Scenic State Park with an Interpretive Center

CLewis and Clark Information Center - Chamberlain, SD
Newly expanded Lewis and Clark Information Center at the Chamberlain I-90 rest area. Experience Lakota Sioux culture and history at Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural. The South Dakota landscape may be viewed as Lewis & Clark may have seen it along the Native American Scenic By-way, beginning in Chamberlain-Oacoma.

Teton Council Site - Chamberlain, SD
Located on the grounds of the St. Joseph's Indian School this living museum displays the history, culture, and art of the Akta Lakota  .

Site of Fort Emanuel - Kenel, SD
Location of the Missouri Fur Company post where Sacagawea died December 12, 1812. No public access. Interpretive sign along Route 1806 south of Kenel.