Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Quick Summary
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail approximates the route taken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark between 1804 and 1806. This U.S. military expedition explored the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, the expedition's goals included exploring the Missouri River, establishing diplomatic relations with Native American tribes, expanding the American fur trade, and searching for the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean.12
The Corps of Discovery, numbering about four dozen individuals, traveled nearly 8,000 miles, documenting new plants and animals, and interacting with various Native American tribes. The trail was established in 1978 and spans approximately 3,700 miles.21
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