Gates of the Mountains
A Landmark So Striking, It Named Itself
After conquering the Great Falls of the Missouri, the Corps of Discovery pressed on in search of Sacagawea’s people—the Shoshone. Their path took them into one of the most breathtaking and mysterious natural landmarks along the trail: the towering limestone cliffs now known as the Gates of the Mountains.
On July 19, 1805, Captain Meriwether Lewis recorded:
“This evening we entered much the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen… the river appears to have forced its way through this immense body of solid rock for the distance of 5¾ miles... From the singular appearance of this place I called it the Gates of the Rocky Mountains.”
Expedition Timeline: July 16–24, 1805
July 16, 1805--Signs of the Shoshone
“We passed about 40 little booths formed of willow bushes… they appeared to have been deserted about 10 days; we supposed that they were the Snake Indians.” —Clark
🦬 This was the last buffalo meat the Corps would eat until July 11, 1806.
July 17, 1805--River Narrows & Sunflowers
“The sunflower is in bloom and abundant in the river bottoms… Indians of the Missouri make great use of the seed for bread or to thicken their soup.” —Lewis
July 18, 1805--Splitting Up
“We are anxious now to meet with the Shoshone… I determined to go ahead with a small party.” —Lewis
“I proceeded on in an Indian path... killed two elk.” —Clark
🌵 Clark’s journal notes how prickly pear thorns pierced his feet—he pulled out 17 by firelight.
July 19, 1805--Gates of the Mountains Discovered
“The towering and projecting rocks... seem ready to tumble on us… I called it the Gates of the Rocky Mountains.” —Lewis
July 20, 1805--Widening Valleys
“At 6 AM the hills retreated… the valley became wider than we have seen it since entering the mountains.” —Lewis
Spotted a black woodpecker later identified as “Lewis’s Woodpecker.”
Clark observed smoke in a nearby valley—possibly a warning signal from wary Native observers.
July 21, 1805 --Pryor’s Creek Named
“We called this Pryor’s Creek after Sergeant John Pryor, one of our party.” —Lewis
Clark stayed behind to hunt while nursing bruised feet and hoping to encounter the Shoshone.
July 22, 1805 --Sacagawea Recognizes the Landscape
“The Indian woman recognizes the country… assures us this is the river on which her relations live.” —Lewis
🛶 The Corps camped on an island now submerged under Canyon Ferry Lake.
July 23, 1805--Still No Sign of the Shoshone
“I saw no fresh signs of Indians today.” —Clark
July 24, 1805--Pest Problems
“Our trio of pests still invade and obstruct us on all occasions—mosquitoes, eye gnats, and prickly pears.” —Lewis
📍 Plan your Visit
Just north of Helena, Montana. Still accessible by boat today.
Lewis and Clark Trail
Icons, Treasures, Legends & Lore
Travelers' Stories
"My family traveled west by car from St. Louis, Missouri to Great Fall,Montana."
"We never knew history could come alive in such a fascinating way. The Lewis and Clark Trail journey was a perfect blend of education and adventure, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for our past.”
Doug M.
"As the boat swung around, the mountains looked like they moved apart and opened up, and when we passed through they seemed to close (or shut) behind us."
" Meriwether Lewis from the same spot beheld this phenomenon and journaled, "from the singular appearance of this place I called it The Gates of The Rocky Mountains."
Mary B.
"From a bluff high above the Missouri River I could see the Lewis and Clark Expedition campsite of May 30, 1805 near Pablo Island."
"Lewis writes about the beauty of the place: "The hills and river Clifts which we passed today exhibit a most romantic appearance."
Dawn C.
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