Canoe Camp: A Dugout Haven
 

For thousands of years, this riverside site near present-day Orofino, Idaho, has been part of the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people. But in the fall of 1805, it became a pivotal chapter in one of America’s greatest exploration stories.

After a brutal crossing of the Lolo Trail left the Corps of Discovery starved and exhausted, they arrived here desperate for relief. Welcomed by the Nez Perce, the Corps were nourished with fresh salmon and camas root — so rich, in fact, that their weakened systems couldn’t handle it. Most of the party fell ill, including Captains Lewis and Clark.

Still, in just 12 sweltering days, the Corps managed to carve five dugout canoes from towering cottonwoods, aided by Nez Perce tools and know-how. These canoes would carry them to the Pacific Ocean. As they prepared to leave on October 7, 1805, they buried saddles and powder, cached supplies, and entrusted 38 horses to their Nez Perce hosts — a testament to mutual respect and trust.
 

Expedition Timeline: Canoe Camp | September 26 – October 7, 1805
 

• Sept 26: Corps camps along the Clearwater River and begins scouting trees for canoe-building. Nez Perce families camp nearby.

• Sept 27–29: Canoe construction begins. Illness spreads. Hunters return empty-handed. One deer becomes vital nourishment.

• Sept 30–Oct 1: Men rally to keep working. Trade resumes with local tribes; beads are a hot commodity.

• Oct 2: With rations gone, they are forced to butcher a horse to feed the sick.

• Oct 3–4: Spirits lift slightly. Canoes near completion, but food remains scarce, and roots and fish continue to upset their systems.

• Oct 5: Horses are gathered and branded with Lewis’s "U.S. Capt. M. Lewis" branding iron. Trusted Nez Perce families agree to care for them.

• Oct 6: Saddles and ammunition are buried. Canoes are finished and ready for launch.

• Oct 7: The journey continues. They push off, heading west toward the Columbia River and ultimately, the Pacific.
  
  ​📍 Plan your Visit
   

• Nestled between the Clearwater River and the expansive Dworshak Lake, Orofino is a four-season destination brimming with outdoor adventure and small-town charm. Its name means “fine gold” in Spanish — a nod to its rich history in mining and timber.

• Step into history: Walk the grounds where Lewis & Clark carved their canoes. Visit the Clearwater Historical Museum, or stop by the Dworshak Visitor Center for sweeping views and interpretive exhibits.

• Get outside: From hiking and world-class fishing to boating, ATVing, and camping — this is Idaho’s outdoor recreation hometown. Explore the pristine waters of Dworshak Lake or tackle the trails of the Clearwater National Forest.

• Celebrate the seasons: Orofino’s calendar is packed with small-town festivities, like the 4th of July Fireworks & BBQ, the iconic Lumberjack Days, and a winter wonderland of caroling, snowmobiling, and the lighted holiday parade.

• Whether you’re here for history, adventure, or relaxation, Orofino is the gateway to the untamed beauty of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

• Canoe Camp is part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park that spans 38 sites across multiple states.