The History Of...America's Most Famous Road Trip

By Heather Schindler
about.com

September 23^rd marks the 209^th anniversary of the end of one of the most epic road trips in American History: the journey of Lewis and Clark. In early 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Merriweather Lewis and William Clark to lead a group, known as the Corps of Discovery, in exploring the vast uncharted territory that the U.S. had just scored through the Louisiana Purchase (imagine having that gig on your resume!). Over the next two and a half years, the explorers traveled from St. Louis, Missouri to the Oregon coast and back again, covering over 7,000 miles and passing through what are now 11 states. From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, the Corps was exposed to some of the country’s most exhilarating landscapes, not to mention fascinating cultures and incredible wildlife.

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Upon their return, the Corps provided the U.S. government with detailed maps, journals, and drawings that provided insight into an area never before known to Americans—or many others around the world.

Once people knew what awaited them, they quickly began to move westward in large numbers in search of land and opportunity. Historian Gerald D. Nash claims that, for decades, and even still today, many people believed that this unprecedented migration “succeeded in explaining the growth and development of American civilization, not only within the United States, but around the world.”

Recognizing the importance of the Corps’ journey to America’s development, in 1948 the National Park Service first proposed a "Lewis and Clark Tourway," which would run along the Missouri River. In the following years, a number of influential people and organizations pushed for formal recognition of the Corps’ route. Finally, in 1978, the National Parks and Recreation Act led to the official founding of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The trail quickly became extremely popular, and now thousands of travelers each summer embark upon one of the most historical and beautiful routes in the Country.

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While tackling the sprawling Trail may at first seem daunting, the National Park Service website makes trip planning a breeze by providing detailed travel information, listing guidebooks, and recommending sites to visit. A quarterly newsletter, The Trail Companion, goes into greater detail, spotlighting can’t-miss attractions along the Trail and profiling ordinary travelers who embark upon it. The best resource, though, is the Trail Atlas, a web and mobile enabled interactive map that provides planning tips, details the history of numerous spots along the Trail, and can be customized to reflect your trip.

The National Park Service also runs Facebook and Twitter pages for the Trail, which provide up-to-date information and highlight must-see spots, and also has a YouTube channel with videos showcasing parts of the trail and recommending ways to make the most of a trip along it.

To get you started, here are some of the best sites that should not be missed.

1. Gateway Arch Rising over the city of St. Louis, this awe-inspiring structure stands as a monument to westward expansion. You can ride up to the top in a tiny elevator, which is tight but offers amazing view of the City and the Mississippi River. A museum, which has been temporarily been relocated to the historic Old Courthouse, covers the expedition and the settlement of the West in general.
2. Fort Mandan This North Dakota fort is a replica of the original one that stood near the site when the Corps wintered there the winter of 1804-1805. Touring the tiny space will make you appreciate the hardships the group had to endure. There is also an interpretive center which emphasizes the kindness of the local Mandan Tribe and the contributions of Sacagawea, the only female member of the Corps, who joined them at the Fort.
3. Pompey’s Pillar This rock formation in Montana is carved with Clark’s signature, making it the only remaining record the Corps actually left on the land. The carving is a moving reminder that the Expedition, which can so often sound like fiction, actually happened, making it even more amazing. Hiking the rock is a fun scramble, and visiting the newly renovated interpretive center is a must.
4. Great Falls These breathtaking waterfalls are so enormous that it took the Corps a month to carry their boats and other supplies around them. The city of the same name in Montana is surrounded by mountains and laced through with clear, rocky streams, making it one of the most beautiful spots on the Trail. The city is also home to the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, which provides one of the most engaging overviews of the journey and includes life-size replicas of the Corps’ boats.
5. Cannon Beach William Clark and a few Corps members, including Sacagawea, spent a few days at this site, which he called “the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless Ocean.” Looking out at the stunning views of the Pacific, it is easy to imagine the triumph the group must have felt at having reached the end of their journey on the Oregon coast. Visitors can walk the Tillamook Head Trail, which the Corps used to reach the beach, where there are signs providing information about their time there.