Pierre, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota (210 miles)
 

Journey along the Missouri River and trace the powerful footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as they explored lands rich in history, culture, and legend. From sacred Native American landmarks to reconstructed forts and interpretive centers, this stretch of the trail brings the expedition’s story to life.

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POINTS OF INTEREST

📍Mobridge, South Dakota

Sakakawea Monument & Sitting Bull Monument

Just southwest of Mobridge, perched above the Missouri River on SD Highway 1806, stand two remarkable monuments honoring Native American icons. The Sitting Bull Monument, believed by many to mark the spiritual leader’s final resting place, was sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski—famed creator of the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. Nearby is the Sakakawea Monument, erected through the efforts of local schoolchildren in the 1920s. This site invites reflection on Indigenous heritage and the stories that shaped early America.

 

📍 Pollock, South Dakota
Pocasse Causeway & the Legend of the Stone Idol

Near the Pocasse Causeway, Lewis and Clark recorded a captivating Arikara legend during their October 13, 1804, stop. They described three stone figures—two resembling humans and one a dog—believed to be lovers and a loyal companion turned to stone. According to Clark’s journal, the Arikara paid tribute to the stones with offerings.
 

📍 Mandan, North Dakota 

Overlooking the confluence of the Heart and Missouri Rivers, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is home to reconstructed Mandan Indian earth lodges—circular dwellings once part of a thriving village of nearly 1,000 people. Though abandoned by the time Lewis and Clark passed by on October 20, 1804, the site offers a vivid connection to their journals and to the complex tribal movements shaped by conflict with the Sioux.
Also within the park is Cavalry Square, the final post of General George Custer and the 7th Cavalry before their fateful march to Little Bighorn. Visitors can tour the reconstructed Custer House and military buildings, adding another chapter of layered history to the landscape.

 

📍 Bismarck, North Dakota

 On the grounds of the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck, the 12-foot bronze statue of Sakakawea stands as a powerful tribute. Sculpted by Leonard Crunelle and dedicated in 1910, the statue shows Sakakawea looking westward with her infant son on her back—symbolizing guidance, strength, and resilience. The model for the statue, Mink Woman, was from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, bringing authentic lineage to this iconic work.

📍Washburn, North Dakota

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan

History comes alive at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan, where the Corps of Discovery wintered in 1804–1805. The reconstructed fort mirrors the original structure built by the Expedition and named in honor of their Mandan hosts. Inside the interpretive center, visitors can explore engaging exhibits that include Native American artifacts, a buffalo robe to try on, and a cradleboard like the one Sakakawea may have used. A carved cottonwood canoe showcases the team’s winter preparations.

Not far from Fort Mandan lies the historic site of Fort Clark, established in 1830 as a trading post by the American Fur Company. This post became an essential hub for trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange between early Americans and the Mandan and Arikara tribes—continuing the legacy of discovery and cooperation long after Lewis and Clark passed through.

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​Ready to go? Book your reservations below!

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