Lewis & Clark Expedition

Follow the Route of the Pioneers

Follow Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s historic route through the Pacific Northwest on this four-day driving loop. The scenic tour includes two national historic trails, two national historical sites—and countless breathtaking views along the way.

Day One

MORNING  From Portland drive 14 miles south to Oregon City, the official end of the Oregon Trail. At the State Welcome Center, pick up maps and guides before retracing the pioneers' steps backwards—east on U.S. Route 26 and the Oregon National Historic Trail.

AFTERNOON  Stop in historic Sandy for lunch. Then continue west along Route 26 to see roadside landmarks, including:

• West Barlow Tollgate, where pioneers forked over cash for the right to use the road
• Laurel Hill, where ropes were used to painstakingly lower wagons into a deep ravine.

EVENING  Take a left to reach Government Camp—known for its dense evergreen forests and views of Mount Hood. Explore the area for other Oregon Trail landmarks, such as Pioneer Woman's Grave, a memorial to those who lost their lives on the trail. Search nearby hotels on Expedia

Day Two

MORNING  Head northeast to The Dalles to visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum. The museum chronicles the history of the region—including life-size replicas of covered wagons and a mammoth.

AFTERNOON  After lunch, continue on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail west along the Columbia River Gorge. At the Cascade Locks, hike the Herman Creek Trail to hidden waterfalls, sub-alpine lakes, and vistas of the gorge.

EVENING  Just across the river lies Stevenson, Washington, where Lewis and Clark camped at Beacon Rock, an 850-foot-tall monolith. Search Stevenson hotels on Expedia

Day Three

MORNING  Start the day at Bahma Coffee Bar, then drive west to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. A former fur-trading hub, Fort Vancouver re-creates pioneer life through cultural and craft demonstrations.

AFTERNOON  Travel 100 miles along the Columbia, loosely following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, to Cape Disappointment State Park. Here begins the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, a series of 12 sites and state parks in Washington and Oregon.

Check out the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, perched 200 feet above the mouth of the Columbia River, where you can see exhibits and artifacts from the expedition.

EVENING  Watch the sun set over the Pacific from a stretch of wide, sandy beach at the state park. Home for the night is the cozy town of Seaview. Search Seaview hotels on Expedia

Day Four

MORNING  Pick up a picnic lunch in Seaview, and then drive 30 minutes south to Fort Clatsop in Oregon, once the Corps of Discovery's winter camp. Though the expedition’s fort is long gone, check out the fort replica and the costumed reenacters.

AFTERNOON  Lace up your hiking boots and embark on the 13-mile Fort to Sea Trail. The trail meanders through thick forests, bogs, and sand dunes.

EVENING  Before going back to Portland, stop in Astoria for a bite at Baked Alaska, which specializes in Northwest cuisine.