Travel Tips & Trends

Exploring with Lewis and Clark

Visitors to 22 National Wildlife Refuges can walk along some of the many historic trails of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who mapped the Central and Western United States for President Thomas Jefferson.

In these National Wildlife Refuges, visitors can experience the awe-inspiring landscape that Lewis and Clark saw, virtually unchanged from 200 years ago. Here are two of the Refuges that are on or near the routes that Lewis and Clark took:

Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Missouri

Near the beginning of Lewis and Clark's historic route is the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Missouri.

Big Muddy is a string of islands and shore areas along the Missouri River. Big Muddy's Jameson Island has a mile-long Lewis and Clark trail that follows an old levee to the Missouri river, providing opportunities for wildlife viewing. Interpretive signs along the way help the hiker imagine the changes that have taken place in the area since the expedition 200 years ago. The entrance to Jameson Island is behind the Lyceum Museum in historic Arrow Rock, Mo.

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington

Close to the end of their journey, Lewis and Clark camped on what is now the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, near the mouth of the Columbia River in Washington state. They also spent several hours at the village of Cathlapotle, inhabited by the Chinookan peoples who lived in oversized plankhouses. A Cathlapotle plankhouse has been recreated and is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the summer. Additionally, there are several hiking trails and an auto route on the refuge, which is open during daylight hours, seven days a week.

For more information on Lewis and Clark and their historic journey, along with the many events and activities you can participate in along the way, visit the interactive website www.lewisandclarktrail.com.

For more information about the National Wildlife Refuges visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov.