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Lewis and Clark Trail
Captain Meriwether Lewis called them "the handsomest plains I ever beheld." North Dakota still boasts breathtaking scenery and its hospitality continues to leave a lasting impression on visitors. Lewis and Clark did all of the hard work, charting and exploring the West, and now you can have all of the fun! Take your own journey to a powwow, drape yourself in a buffalo robe or meander through remains of the home of Sakakawea, the Lewis & Clark Expedition's legendary Indian interpreter and guide.
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Lewis and Clark entered North Dakota in mid-October 1804, wintered at Fort Mandan near present-day Washburn, North Dakota, and departed for the Pacific Ocean on April 7, 1805. They followed the Missouri to the Yellowstone, near present-day Williston and departed North Dakota by the end of the month. On their return trip, having separately explored the Missouri and Yellowstone valleys, they reunited just south of present-day New Town. To aid today’s travelers, the highway on the east side of the Missouri River is numbered ND 1804. On the west side of the river, ND 1806 commemorates the expedition’s return in August 1806.
There is no “right” place to start following the Lewis & Clark Trail, as long as you start with a spirit of adventure and exploration – just like they did!
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| North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey |
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Standing Rock
“A fine day. Above the mouth of the river, great numbers of stone, perfectly round, with fine grit, are in the bluff and on the shore. The river takes its name from those stones, which resemble cannon balls.” Captain Clark, 18 October 1804
Visitors to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation still find cannon ball stones on and near the mouth of the Cannonball River. Nearby attractions include Sitting Bull Burial Historic Site in Fort Yates and Prairie Knights Casino and Resort. 701-854-7560 www.standingrock.org
Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway
This 35-mile drive features beautiful vistas of the Missouri River, Sitting Bull’s burial site, the Stand Rock Monument, Fort Yates Stockade and Prairie Knights Casino. www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/index.html
Prairie Knights Casino & Resort
The casino has more than 450 reel slot machines, video poker and keno machines and high-stakes blackjack and poker, along with top-name entertainment. The lodge features whirlpool suites and fine dining in the Hunter’s Club. The marina and campground offer boating, fishing, camping and other outdoor fun. 800-425-8277 www.prairieknights.com
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, featuring On-A-Slant Indian Village and Custer Home
“I saw an old remains of a village, cover 6 or 8 acres on the side of a hill which the chief… tells me that nation [Mandans] lived in.” Captain Clark, 20 October 1804
Four Mandan Indian earthlodges have been reconstructed on the site where the village, which was noted in the expedition journals, thrived until wiped out by smallpox. This park lso is home to the reconstruction of much of Fort Abraham Lincoln, the last command post of General George Armstrong Custer, including his home, commissary, stables and block houses. 701-663-9571 http://www.fortlincoln.com/ http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/
Five Nations Art
Located in a restored train depot in downtown Mandan, this art center showcases some of the finest American Indian arts, crafts and beadwork in the country. 701-663-4663 www.fortlincoln.com
United Tribes Technical College Cultural Interpretive Center
The center displays American Indian artwork, specifically art depicting the cultures and history of the Upper Missouri and Northern Plains tribes. Guided tours welcome by reservation. 701-255-3285 ext.1426 www.uttc.edu
State Capitol Building and Grounds in Bismarck
The “Skyscraper on the Prairie” was constructed in 1932 for a mere $2 million. Its 19-story art deco architecture sets it apart from traditional dome design capitols as it towers above a beautifully manicured hill in north Bismarck. Guided tours are available. 701-328-2480 www.nd.gov/fac/index.html
North Dakota Heritage Center/Sakakawea Statue
On the Capitol Grounds, North Dakota’s most comprehensive museum features exhibits on its rich history, including dinosaurs, early native peoples, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Indian War period and the immigration of white settlers. The Sakakawea Statue, dedicated in 1910, stands near the entrance of the Heritage Center. It depicts her, with Jean Baptiste strapped to her back, looking westward toward the country she helped explore. 701-328-2666 www.nd.gov/hist
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| North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey |
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Keelboat and Steamboat parks
Climb aboard a scale replica of a steamboat or a keelboat like those used by Lewis and Clark, or stroll the walking path along the banks of the Missouri River in Bismarck. 701-222-6455 www.bisparks.org
Lewis & Clark Riverboat
Cruise the scenic Missouri River on a paddlewheel riverboat! Regularly scheduled afternoon and evening cruises are available. 701-255-4233 www.fortlincoln.com
Double Ditch State Historic Site
Visible depressions are all that remain of this large Mandan Indian earthlodge village. It was inhabited for 300 years but had been deserted 25 years when noted in Lewis and Clark’s journals. Interpretive signs are present at the site. 701-328-2666 www.nd.gov/hist
Cross Ranch State Park
Hike or paddle along one of the longest pristine stretches of the Missouri River, free flowing and undeveloped. Exhibits of Missouri River history are in the River Peoples Visitor Center. 701-794-3731 www.parkrec.nd.gov/Parks/crsp.htm
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
The entire expedition is overviewed at this center, with focus on interactions with the native peoples. Visitors hear the music the explorers enjoyed, try on a buffalo robe and wear a cradle board like the one Sakakawea used to carry “Pomp.” Items from nearly all of the tribes Lewis and Clark encountered are displayed, along with Karl Bodmer prints and an exhibit on nearby Fort Clark. A 24-hour rest area is on site. 877-462-8535 www.fortmandan.com
Fort Mandan Historic Site and Headwaters Visitor Center
“This morning at daylight, I went down the river with 4 men, to look for a proper place to winter. Proceeded down the river three miles, and found a place well supplied with wood, and returned.” Captain Clark, 2 November 1804
Fort Mandan has been reconstructed a few miles west of Washburn, near the location of the original fort. Together with the new Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, this is one of the best places on the trail to step back in time to the winter of 1804-1805 and to learn about Sakakawea’s role in the expedition. Lewis and Clark spent more time at Fort Mandan than any other single location on their journey. 877-462-8535 www.fortmandan.com
Fort Clark State Historic Site
The Fort Clark Fur Trading Post operated from 1830 to the 1850s. In 1837, a smallpox epidemic decimated the neighboring native population. Today, the site contains depressions and remains of the earthlodges and fort structures. Self-guided tours only. 701-328-2666 www.history.nd.gov/historicsites/clark/index.html
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
“We passed the villages on our descent, in view of great numbers of the inhabitants.” Captain Clark, 1 November 1804
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site preserves the ruins of a vast group of villages upstream from Fort Mandan, including Sakakawea’s home village. Hundreds of depressions in the prairie mark the locations of collapsed earthlodges where many tribes populated a virtual metropolis here for thousands of years. Visitors today tour a reconstructed earthlodge and enjoy miles of trails through the villages. 701-745-3309 www.nps.gov/knri
Lake Sakakawea State Park
More than 300 campsites and a large marina invite you to take advantage of all the recreational activities this great lake and surrounding area have to offer. 701-487-3315 www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lssp.htm
Garrison Dam / Lake Sakakawea
Located on the Missouri River, 75 miles upstream from Bismarck, Garrison Dam is one of the largest roll earth-fill dams in the world. Lake Sakakawea is a reservoir with more shoreline than the Pacific Coast of California. 701-487-3315 www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lssp.htm
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| North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey |
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Fort Stevenson State Park
Named for a late 1800s frontier fort that served as a supply depot for military posts, this park offers a marina with fishing boat and canoe rentals, modern and primitive camping, hiking trails, picnicking and swimming. 701-337-5576 www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/fssp.htm
Indian Hills State Recreation Site
The expedition visited here April 11-12, 1805. Now a premier fishing resort with full-service marina, it features a campground, log cabins and condo rentals. Fishing guides are available, along with rental pontoons and fishing boats. 701-743-4122 www.fishindianhills.com
Little Missouri State Park
Campers, hikers and horse trail riders enjoy stunning scenery along the river that created the Badlands. Horse rental, guide services, semi-modern and primitive camping are available in the park. 701-764-5256 www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lmbsp.htm
Three Tribes Museum
Displays, artifacts and pictures relating to early settlements of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Indians are on display. American Indiann arts and crafts are sold in the museum shop. 701-627-4477
Crow Flies High Butte
Breathtaking view of Lake Sakakawea, Badlands bluffs and the foundations of the underwater town of Sanish. This site was used by Clark when waiting to reunite with Lewis. 701-627-4812
4 Bears Casino & Lodge
The casino offers Vegas-style gaming and top-name entertainment. The lodge’s unique architecture gives every room a sunset view of Lake Sakakawea. A modern campground with RV accommodations and marina offer more fun at the water’s edge. 800-294-5454 www.4bearscasino.com
Long X Visitor Center
The Long X Visitor Center and Museum is the central location for information on the area's cultural, geological, historical and geographic attractions. The Pioneer Museum will be open 7 days a week. A major attraction is the largest petrified tree stump ever found in North Dakota. The 60 million-year-old tree stump weighs approximately 17,000 pounds and is six feet in diameter and seven to eight feet tall. 701-444-2804 www.4eyes.net
Tobacco Garden
Lewis and Clark noted in their journals that here they saw the remains of numerous Indian camps. Today this is a major recreation area with a restaurant, tent and trailer camping, picnic tables, fishing and boat ramps surrounded by majestic scenery. 701-842-6931
Lewis & Clark State Park
Towering buttes surround Lake Sakakawea at this park. Many wildlife species thrive amid the beautiful scenery. Modern and semi-modern camping, fishing, a marina and boat ramp, fuel and dock, swimming, hiking and a playground. 701-859-3071 www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lcsp.htm
Lund’s Landing Marina
Visit this full-service resort offering comfortable cabins, campsites, teepee camping, fishing, marina, fuel and dock, swimming, hiking and a playground are available. 701-568-3474 www.lundslanding.com
Fort Buford State Historic Site
At the confluence of the Missouri and the Yellowstone rivers, Chief Joseph and Sitting Bull were detained at this U.S. Army post. The Fort includes the 1871 Commanding Officer's Quarters and three other original buildings, an exhibit area and museum store. 701-572-9034 www.history.nd.gov/historicsites/buford/index.html
Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center
“…I walked down and joined the party at the encampment on the point of land formed by the junction of the rivers; found them all in good health, and much pleased at having arrived at this long wished for spot…” Captain Lewis, 26 April 1805
The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center tells the many stories of these two legendary rivers. Within sight to the west is Fort Buford State Historic Site, which contains both original and reconstructed buildings from the military post where both Sitting Bull, the great Sioux leader, and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce were detained. http://history.nd.gov/historicsites/mycic/index.html
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site provides another step back in time. The fur trading post, now faithfully reconstructed, was build just three decades after the expedition. It dominated the region’s peaceful and lucrative commerce between white and natives. 701-572-9034 www.nd.gov/hist
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