Visitor Information

On October 2, 1968, Congress enacted the National Trails System Act and recommended the Lewis and Clark Trail for inclusion as a part of the National Trails System. In 1978, Public Law 95-625, amended the National Trails System Act to include the new category of National Historic Trails and designated the Lewis and Clark Trail as one of four National Historic Trails. The primary purpose of a National Historic Trail is commemoration of the historic events that form the Trail's central theme through historic interpretation, preservation, and public use.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. These cooperating interests manage existing retracement routes, recreation sites, interpretive facilities, and visitor centers along the route. There are three types of components of the trail: sites, segments, and motor routes. With the complex land ownership and jurisdictions that exist, it may not be possible to follow the trail using one continuous mode of travel. The NPS publishes and distributes a general information brochure with a map of the trail that can be used for planning purposes.

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Brochures

The Trail brochure is free of charge. It includes a map of the route with some sites located and general information regarding the trail. Please send your complete postal mailing address when requesting the brochure. You can e-mail your information request to LECL_Information@nps.gov. It is very helpful if you will let us know if you are traveling a specific section of the trail.