Information
Landmark: Lewis and Clark National Historical ParkCity: Astoria
Country: USA Oregon
Continent: North America
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Astoria, USA Oregon, North America
Overview
Centered in Astoria, Oregon, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park links a string of protected sites along the lower Columbia River and the misty Pacific Coast, stretching north into southwest Washington.The park protects the landscapes, vivid tales, and cultural exchanges from the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s 1805–1806 winter at Fort Clatsop, bringing to life their wider journey through the misty forests and rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest.It’s a place where history meets the wild, with rebuilt landmarks to wander through, small museums tucked along the path, winding trails, and salty coastal marshes alive with birds.After the Louisiana Purchase, President Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark west to chart the land and stake America’s claim, their maps tracing rivers and mountains no U. S. citizen had seen before.In 1805, after they reached the Pacific, the Corps put up Fort Clatsop near what’s now Astoria, its log walls damp from the coastal rain, and stayed there through the winter until March 1806.Fort Clatsop National Memorial came into being in 1958, preserving the spot where damp cedar cabins once sheltered the Lewis and Clark expedition.In 2004, it grew into Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, adding several connected sites across Oregon and Washington, from windswept beaches to forested trails.Our purpose is to honor the legacy of the Corps of Discovery, bring forward Indigenous voices, and shed light on the grit and uncertainty that marked those first journeys into uncharted territory.Fort Clatsop in Oregon is a rebuilt wooden fort, once the expedition’s winter home, its rough-hewn walls smelling faintly of pine.You’ll find interpretive displays, lively ranger talks, and reenactments of daily life-like the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer in the air.Winding trails lead into the surrounding forest and wetlands, places the Corps once worked, where the air smells faintly of pine and damp earth.Netul Landing in Oregon sits right on the Lewis and Clark River, where you can wander shaded interpretive trails or launch a boat from the quiet shoreline.The Fort-to-Sea Trail in Oregon stretches 6.5 miles, following the same path the expedition once took from Fort Clatsop to the roar and salt of the Pacific.Cape Disappointment State Park in Washington sits high above the mouth of the Columbia River, where you can explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and wander past weathered old lighthouses.Station Camp in Washington marks the place where the Corps set up camp and spoke with Indigenous people, sharing food by the fire.Salt Works in Seaside, Oregon is a rebuilt site where the expedition once boiled seawater over open fires to make salt for preserving their food.Cultural Encounters: The park focuses on the Corps of Discovery meeting the Clatsop, Chinook, and Tillamook peoples, sharing stories of trade, guidance, and survival, and honoring the knowledge and perspectives they offered.In the exhibits and museums, interactive displays, worn maps, centuries-old artifacts, and flickering film reels bring to life the stories of exploration, survival, and cross‑cultural exchange.At the Living History Programs, rangers and volunteers in old-fashioned coats and bonnets bring the past to life, showing how to dip candles, spark a fire, and fire a musket.In the natural surroundings, visitors wander through cool, misty rainforests, cross quiet wetlands, follow winding rivers, and feel the grit of dunes before reaching the rugged coastline that shaped the expedition’s time here.Visitor experiences include wandering through reconstructed sites and stepping inside interpretive centers where old stone walls tell their stories.You can wander the Fort-to-Sea Trail or take a quick stroll under the cool shade of the forest paths.Watch for wildlife-bright-winged birds, grazing elk, even the flash of a seal slipping under the waves.Paddle a kayak or canoe along the quiet, designated waterways, where the oar dips cleanly into the water with each stroke.Accessibility: You’ll find visitor centers, exhibits, and plenty of trails built so everyone can get around-smooth paths, sturdy railings, and all.The park blends rich history with sweeping natural beauty, drawing in both history buffs and lovers of the outdoors.You might wander past a weathered stone wall, then step into a meadow alive with birdsong.A visit might last just a few hours if you’re stopping at Fort Clatsop, or stretch into several days if you plan to wander through all the nearby sites.In spring, the trails wind through lush green hills, and with fewer people around, it’s a perfect time to hike.Summer brings the peak season, buzzing with costumed guides reenacting history and lively activities for the whole family.Fall brings cooler air and a hush in the mornings, while fiery leaves blaze and deer move through the mist.In winter, the Corps faced bitter winds and biting cold, so the focus shifts to indoor exhibits and ranger-led talks.Nearby Attractions: The Astoria Column, a historic tower, offers sweeping views of the Columbia River, where sunlight glints off the water.Columbia River Maritime Museum - explore the rugged maritime history of the Columbia River Bar, where waves crash hard against the shore.Fort Stevens State Park holds a Civil War–era fort, wide sandy beaches, and the rusting remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck jutting from the shore.The Flavel House Museum, a stately Victorian mansion, offers a glimpse into Astoria’s 19th-century past, from its ornate woodwork to the creak of its polished floors.The Astoria Riverwalk winds from downtown to the waterfront, offering a scenic stroll past docks, gulls, and salty sea air.At Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, you’ll find rugged coastline, rich history, and the meeting of cultures, all woven into the true story of exploration and survival at the Pacific’s edge.It honors the expedition while acknowledging the Indigenous peoples who shaped the land long before the Corps of Discovery set foot on its rocky banks.
