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Welcome to the Lewis and Clark Expedition Map
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St. Louis, Missouri
This was the starting point of the expedition, where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark gathered supplies, recruited men, and organized the expedition before embarking on their journey up the Missouri River.
Floyd Memorial, Iowa
As they made their way up the river, one member, Sergeant Charles Floyd fell ill. On August 20, 1804, Floyd passed away, most likely from peritonitis, caused by the inflammation or rupture of his appendix. He died from an illness that even the best doctors of the day could not have cured Sergeant Floyd was the only member to die on the journey.
Fort Mandon, North Dakota
The expedition built and camped at Fort Mandon for the winter of 1804-1805. They built the fort to shelter themselves from the harsh winter conditions and to establish friendly relations with the Native American tribes in the area, particularly the Mandan and Hidatsa.
Great Falls, Montana
The Great Falls of the Missouri River presented a significant obstacle to the expedition's progress. They encountered a series of waterfalls and rapids that made navigation extremely difficult. To bypass this section, they had to portage their boats and supplies overland.
Lemhi Pass, Idaho
Lemhi Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains, marking the modern-day border between Idaho and Montana. Lewis and Clark crossed this pass while searching for a route to the Pacific Ocean. They hoped it would lead them to a navigable river that flowed westward, but instead, they discovered the rugged terrain of the Bitterroot Mountains.
Nez Perce, Idaho
The Nez Perce were a Native American tribe encountered by the expedition in present-day Idaho. They were hospitable to Lewis and Clark, providing them with supplies and assistance. The expedition learned valuable information about the geography of the region from the Nez Perce.
Three Rivers, Montana
Three Forks is where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers converge to form the Missouri River. It was a crucial landmark for the expedition as it marked the official start of the Missouri River, which they followed upstream.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria, located near the mouth of the Columbia River, was the final destination of the expedition. Here, they reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805, achieving their primary goal of finding a route to the west coast. They built Fort Clatsop nearby and spent the winter before beginning their return journey in the spring of 1806.