Paducah, Kentucky - Wood River, Illinois (228 Miles)
Discover the rich history and natural beauty of southwestern Illinois as you follow the path of Lewis and Clark. This section of the trail offers a mix of adventure, history, and stunning landscapes, from ancient Indigenous sites to key locations where the explorers prepared for their westward journey.
POINTS OF INTEREST
📍Carlyle Lake – Carlyle, Illinois
For outdoor enthusiasts, Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, offers boating, fishing, and scenic views. Just a short drive away, you’ll find one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America.
📍Cahokia Courthouse – Cahokia, Illinois
Winter 1803 – Spring 1804 – Lewis and Clark used the Old Cahokia Courthouse as their headquarters while gathering supplies, meeting with territorial leaders, and corresponding with President Thomas Jefferson. This historic site played a crucial role in preparing for their legendary expedition.
📍 Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Collinsville, Illinois
Explore the remains of the largest prehistoric Indigenous city north of Mexico. Though Lewis and Clark never visited Cahokia Mounds, its history and cultural significance provide valuable context for the land they traveled.
📍 Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center & Camp Wood – Hartford, Illinois
Step back in time at this interactive museum, where you can explore a 55-foot keelboat, experience camp life, and get a sense of the explorers' preparations before they embarked into the unknown.
📍Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower – Hartford, Illinois
👉Soar 180 feet above the landscape with breathtaking views of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers’ confluence. The tower features observation decks at 50, 100, and 150 feet, accessible via stairs or elevator, offering a unique perspective on the explorers' starting point.
📍Sacagawea & Jean Baptiste Statue – Godfrey, Illinois
Located on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, this striking sculpture by Glenna Goodacre honors Sacagawea and her son, Jean Baptiste. Goodacre also designed the image featured on the U.S. Mint Sacagawea $1 coin.
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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.
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