Kansas City, Missouri to Omaha, Nebraska (225 miles)
Visit the very location where the Corps of Discovery celebrated July 4, 1804
Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark on this historic stretch of their journey. Experience rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and fascinating cultural sites along the Missouri River.
POINTS OF INTEREST
📍Atchison, Kansas – Independence Park
July 4, 1804:
👉The Corps of Discovery celebrated Independence Day with a military-style observance, firing the swivel gun and toasting with an extra gill of whiskey. Visit this historic site and relive their patriotic moment.
📍St. Joseph, Missouri – St. Michael’s Prairie
Known to early river travelers, this area was documented in Lewis and Clark’s journals on July 7, 1804, highlighting its flora and fauna. St. Joseph is also famous as the home of outlaw Jesse James.
📍Nebraska City, Nebraska – Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Explore the scientific side of the expedition at this interactive museum. Learn about more than 300 discoveries, including 178 plants, 122 animals, and other scientific findings documented at President Thomas Jefferson’s request.
📍Omaha, Nebraska
Joslyn Art Museum
This renowned museum showcases art of the American West, including a world-class collection of works by Swiss artist Karl Bodmer, who documented the Missouri River frontier in the early 1830s.
Durham Western Heritage Museum
Housed in the beautifully preserved Union Station, this museum highlights the golden age of train travel. In its prime, the station saw 64 trains and 10,000 passengers daily—a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.
📍Council Bluffs, Iowa
Western Historic Trails Center
Located on the banks of the Missouri River, this center provides deep insights into western expansion and pioneer history, offering an immersive look at the trails that shaped America.
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Lewis and Clark Monument & Loess Hills Scenic Overlook
Enjoy sweeping westward views of the Missouri River Valley. This site also features a mountain bike trail for outdoor adventurers looking to experience the rugged beauty of the region.
📍Plan your journey traveling this section of the Lewis and Clark Trail offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and culture. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or road trip enthusiast, these destinations provide a fascinating glimpse into America’s past and present. Happy travels!
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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.
Explore some of the most beautiful and rugged
areas in America
LewisandClarkTrail.com