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Illinois
54

Illinois State Parks

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USA Parks
Illinois
Southwestern Region
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
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Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Information sign at the Confluence of the Mississippi amp Missouri Rivers. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Illinois
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reconstruction of Camp Dubois along the Mississippi River, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, Illinois
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Camp Dubois, the location from which the Lewis amp Clark Expedition left the United States and headed up the Missouri River in 1804. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Illinois
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site entrance, outside of Alton, Illinois.
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Visitor Center for the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Illinois.
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reconstructed buildings of Camp Dubois, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Illinois
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site © Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Monument to Camp Dubois and the Lewis amp Clark Expedition. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Illinois
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LEWIS AND CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE
LEWIS AND CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE
1 Lewis and Clark Trail
Hartford, Illinois   62048
(lat:38.8023 lon:-90.1021) map location

Phone: 618-251-5811
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site lies at the confluence of the the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near Hartford, Illinois.

The park is for the Lewis and Clark Expedition's winter encampment at Camp River Dubois from December 1803 to May 1804. While camped here, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark trained soldiers, gathered supplies, and prepared for an Expedition that would take them up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains, and down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean and back. The Expedition's encampment helped to make the journey a success.

Visitors to the Interpretive Center today can see displays on the preparations for the trip as well as the exciting moments and devastating hardships of the Expedition. A short film details their work. The park has been designated as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by the National Park Service.
History of the Area
Multiple replica cabins show what life was like in the early 19th Century. A replica of the Lewis and Clark Expedition camp also shows what camp life was like preparing for the journey.

The Interpretive Center has multiple galleries describing the soldiers and preparation for an expedition. A short film shows visitors more of what those preparations looked like. Many hands-on exhibits encourage visitors to find out more information. A full-scale replica of the the largest boat - the keelboat or barge - is the key piece of the main gallery. Restrooms, water fountains, and gift shop are all available inside.
Camping
There is no camping available at the park. Nearby campgrounds are available not too far away.



Picnicking
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is a very popular area for family picnics. A shaded ring of picnic tables near the Interpretive Center makes for shade covered lunches. Three picnic pavilions also offer seating for many visitors.
Trails
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site has a short trail cut through native prairie. It is also a trailhead for the Madison County Transit bike trail network.

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Area Campgrounds
Casino Queen RV Park
200 South Front Street
East St. Louis, IL
618-874-5000
Red Barn Rendezvous RV Park
3955 Blackburn Road
Edwardsville, IL
618-692-9015
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Lewis And Clark State Memorial Park is located near Hartford, Alton, Bethalto, and Wood River.

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Illinois
54

Illinois State Parks

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