Montana is a landscape carved by time, water, and the footsteps of explorers. Of all the stories that ripple across its sweeping plains and rugged peaks, few are as enduring or transformative as the journey of Lewis and Clark. In 1805 and again in 1806, these two captains—charged with charting the unknown lands acquired through the Louisiana Purchase—traveled more than a thousand miles across what is now the Treasure State. Their time here was not only the longest stretch of their western expedition but also one of the most challenging and revelatory.
For those who wish to follow in their footsteps, Montana offers a tapestry of historical sites, river crossings, and mountain passes that remain remarkably untouched by time. This is more than a story in the past—it’s a living journey you can walk, paddle, and experience today.
In May of 1805, the Corps of Discovery pushed upstream along the Missouri River and entered what we now know as the Missouri Breaks. Towering white cliffs, twisting river bends, and wind-swept prairie welcomed them. Lewis described this stretch of land as "scenes of visionary enchantment" — an otherworldly beauty that modern-day visitors can still feel.
Where to Visit:
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument: Start your journey in Fort Benton, Montana’s birthplace, and rent a canoe for a multi-day float trip through the Breaks. This is one of the most pristine sections of the river and remains largely unchanged since Lewis and Clark navigated its waters.
Decision Point: Located near the confluence of the Marias and Missouri Rivers, this is where the captains faced a major navigational challenge. Interpretive signage brings their decision-making process to life.
In June of 1805, the Corps encountered a series of five waterfalls on the Missouri River near what is now Great Falls, Montana. Portaging around them took over a month, requiring brute strength, determination, and grit in the face of punishing terrain.
Where to Visit:
Giant Springs State Park: Here you’ll find one of the largest freshwater springs in the country and a peaceful place to reflect on the hardships endured by the expedition.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center: Overlooking the Missouri River, this museum offers detailed exhibits, interactive displays, and a theater that recounts their grueling portage.
On July 25, 1805, the Corps reached a vital geographical marker: the headwaters of the Missouri River. Here, three rivers—the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin—converge. The captains named each after prominent leaders of their time.
Where to Visit:
Missouri Headwaters State Park: Located near the town of Three Forks, this serene park allows visitors to stand at the very place Lewis and Clark identified as the source of the mighty Missouri. Interpretive trails, picnic areas, and riverside views abound.
Sacajawea Hotel and Historical Museum: Learn about Sacagawea’s critical role in the expedition and how she helped navigate this crucial region.
Though less discussed than river crossings or dramatic waterfalls, Bozeman Pass offered a crucial overland route for William Clark on the return trip in July 1806. This narrow, high-elevation corridor allowed him to connect the Gallatin Valley to the Yellowstone River.
Where to Visit:
Trail Creek: A small hiking area near the pass lets modern travelers walk in Clark's footsteps.
Bozeman and Livingston: These mountain towns offer convenient lodging and a launching point to explore nearby Lewis and Clark sites.
Perhaps the most tangible trace of the expedition in Montana can be found on the sandstone monolith known as Pompeys Pillar, east of Billings. Here, Captain William Clark carved his name into the rock—the only remaining physical evidence of the expedition on the trail.
Where to Visit:
Pompeys Pillar National Monument: Walk the boardwalks up to Clark’s inscription and enjoy sweeping views of the Yellowstone River Valley. Interpretive displays and a visitor center provide context for this iconic landmark.
Nestled along Lolo Creek in western Montana, Traveler’s Rest is the only confirmed campsite of the Corps of Discovery where physical evidence has been found. The site marks where the expedition stopped both in 1805 en route west and again in 1806 on the return.
Where to Visit:
Traveler’s Rest State Park: Just outside Missoula, this park features a museum, trails, and ranger-led programs that dive deep into the daily lives of the Corps during their stay.
Crossing the Bitterroot Mountains tested the Corps to its limits. In September 1805, they passed through Lolo Pass, enduring snow, hunger, and treacherous terrain. This leg of the journey was one of the most perilous and nearly ended in disaster.
Where to Visit:
Lolo Pass Visitor Center: Straddling the Montana-Idaho border, this stop offers sweeping views and interpretive exhibits about the passage through the mountains.
Nez Perce Trail: Hike a portion of this trail to experience the vast, silent forests that challenged the Corps.
What Lewis and Clark accomplished in Montana is more than a footnote in history. It was a test of human endurance, a tribute to cooperation across cultures, and a deep dive into one of the last truly wild frontiers of North America. Their journals reveal awe, hardship, and moments of grace under Montana skies.
Today, travelers can follow their trail not by the speed of horse or canoe, but at the rhythm of their own pace. The echoes of the Corps of Discovery are everywhere—in the shape of a river bend, the curve of a mountain pass, and the whisper of wind through cottonwood trees.
To experience Lewis and Clark in Montana is to walk into the past and find, surprisingly, that it still lives.