Omaha, Nebraska - Yankton, South Dakota (176 miles)
 

Embark on a historic journey following the path of Lewis and Clark as you explore the heart of the Midwest. This segment of the trail takes you through scenic landscapes, important historical sites, and significant moments from the Corps of Discovery’s 1804 expedition.

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POINTS OF INTEREST

📍Fort Calhoun, Nebraska - Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

At Fort Atkinson, Lewis and Clark held their first council in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory with the Otoe and Missouri Indian tribes on August 3, 1804. The fort's strategic location near the Missouri River made it ideal for military fortification, and in 1820, Fort Atkinson was built as a permanent post. Visit the reconstructed fort and step back in time to experience the fort’s role in early American expansion.

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📍Missouri Valley, Iowa - DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

This area holds special significance in Lewis and Clark’s journey. As they passed through, the explorers made detailed observations of the local flora and fauna. They recorded sightings of willow, oak, hickory, sycamore, and cottonwood trees, as well as wildlife like badgers, geese, wood ducks, cranes, and pelicans. Today, the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge offers a chance to walk in the footsteps of the explorers and experience the rich natural beauty they described.
 

📍Onawa, Iowa - Lewis and Clark State Park

At this scenic park, visitors can explore a replica of the Lewis and Clark Keelboat. This boat was an essential part of the expedition, allowing the Corps to navigate the Missouri River. The park is a great place to connect with the past, where the explorers' journey is brought to life with hands-on exhibits and scenic views.
 

📍Sioux City, Iowa - Sergeant Floyd Memorial
Standing tall above the Missouri River, the 100-foot Sergeant Floyd Monument commemorates the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die during the journey—Sergeant Charles Floyd. His remains are entombed within the stone obelisk, making it both a historic landmark and a solemn memorial to his service.

Explore More Nearby:

• Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum – Housed in a retired towboat, this museum shares stories of river life and the Corps of Discovery.

• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center – Engaging exhibits trace the expedition’s route and their time in the region.

Did You Know?
Charles Floyd joined the expedition in October 1803, after meeting Meriwether Lewis near Louisville, Kentucky. He served as Sergeant of the Second Squad and traveled down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to Camp Dubois. Sadly, he died on August 20, 1804, likely from a ruptured appendix—the expedition’s only fatality.

📍The Missouri National Recreational River (National Park)

As you continue your journey, you’ll enter the Missouri National Recreational River, known for its pristine beauty and historical significance. This area, filmed for the IMAX movie Lewis and Clark - Great Journey West, remains largely unchanged from the days of the expedition.
 

📍Elk Point, South Dakota – The First Primary Election

Following the death of Sergeant Charles Floyd near present-day Sioux City, Iowa, the Corps of Discovery needed to appoint a new leader. Rather than assigning someone, Captains Lewis and Clark allowed the men to vote—resulting in the first recorded primary election west of the Mississippi River.

• Date: August 22, 1804

• Candidates: Patrick Gass, William Bratton, George Gibson

• Outcome: Gass won with 19 votes and was elected sergeant

• Significance: A rare moment of democratic process during the expedition
   

📍Vermillion, South Dakota – Spirit Mound

Known to the Sioux as Paha Wakan (“Sacred Hill”), Spirit Mound was believed to be inhabited by dangerous spirits. Tribal lore warned that death would come to anyone who approached.

• Date visited: August 25, 1804

• Expedition Members: Lewis, Clark, Seaman the dog, and 9 men

• Experience: After a difficult nine-mile walk in extreme heat, the group climbed the mound. Seaman was sent back due to the heat.

• Observation: The Captains noted large flocks of swallows attracted by insects, possibly fueling the legends of spirits.

• Today: Spirit Mound is a protected site offering a fascinating blend of natural beauty and cultural significance.
   

📍Yankton, South Dakota
 Calumet Bluff & the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center

One of the most meaningful encounters of the expedition occurred at Calumet Bluff, where the Corps met the Yankton Sioux in late August 1804.

• Events: Two peaceful ceremonies involving the “pipe of peace,” along with music, dancing, and speeches

• Clark’s Description: “Stout, bold looking people... The young men brave and active who vow never to retreat from their enemies.”

• Folklore Moment: During the gathering, a baby was born in a nearby lodge. Captain Lewis wrapped the child in an American flag and prophesied that he would become a leader and friend to white men. That child grew up to be Chief Struck By The Ree, a respected Yankton leader.
   

Mead Museum – Discover Dakota Territory’s Wild History
The Mead Museum is home to the Dakota Territorial Museum and the Yankton County Historical Society. With over 45,000 artifacts, this museum brings the region’s vivid past to life.

Step into a Story of Outlaws, Generals, and Legends

• Jack McCall, the man who shot Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, was tried and hanged in Yankton in 1877—one of the territory’s most notorious trials.

• In 1873, General George Custer and his troops camped in Yankton for nearly a month, their plans delayed by a late-season blizzard.

• Jesse James is rumored to have used the nearby “Devil’s Nest” as a hideout—adding to Yankton’s lore of lawlessness and legend.
   

From early elections to sacred landscapes and diplomatic breakthroughs, these South Dakota sites allow modern travelers to connect with the enduring legacy of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

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