Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

Understand

Soon after making the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States launched an expedition, lead by Lewis and Clark, to cross the newly-acquired territory and reach the Pacific Coast. Lewis in Clark set off in 1804, and by November 1805, they reached the mouth of the Columbia River. They quickly built Fort Clatsop, and overwintered there before making the return journey to the East.

Many of the sites are related to the journey of the expedition, but Fort Stevens and Fort Columbia exhibit the area's World War II history, and Cape Disappointment and Ecola State Parks are great showcases of the natural beauty of the coastal regions. Fort_Clatsop

• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park website

Get in

Astoria is both the largest and most central city for accessing the park. All the sites are within a 45 minute drive of there.

U.S. Highway 101 (US-101) follows the coast, thus going near most of the sites.

From Portland, U.S. Highway 26 (US-26) meets the coast at Seaside and Ecola State Park.

From Seattle and most other cities in Washington state, take Interstate 5 to WA-433 at Longview. Cross the Columbia River and continue west on U.S. Highway 30 (US-30).

Fees and permits

The park is a collection of sites administered by three distinct entities, with separate fee and permit requirements.

• The National Park Service collects entrance fees for Fort Clatsop. A Standard Pass is $10 for the day. The America the Beautiful Pass (also known as the Interagency Pass) is accepted.
• Oregon State Parks collects parking fees for Fort Stevens and Ecola State Park. The Annual Oregon Coast Passport is $35, and covers all park sites (state and federal) on the Oregon side.
• Washington State Parks requires a Discover Pass for all private vehicles entering a state park. The pass costs $11.50 for one day, or $50 for one year from the purchase date (Jan 2026). Dealers, such as sporting goods stores, and online sales add a surcharge. There's no additional fees for out-of-state vehicles entering the parks, but there is a non-resident surcharge for camping.

Get around

The only easy way to get between sites is by car. Few (if any) of the sites are served by public transportation.

Experienced cyclists may enjoy biking along US-101 to the various destinations.

See and do

Washington

Oregon

Go next

• Explore Astoria
• Explore Long Beach and the rest of the Long Beach Peninsula.
• Tour southbound on U.S. Route 101 through Seaside and further down the Northern Oregon Coast.
• Head northbound on U.S. Route 101 toward the Olympic Peninsula.