Exploring the Lewis & Clark Trail
June 16-25, 2025, Great Falls, Montana
with former NPS Historian Neil Mangum
A ten-day expedition following the route of the Corps of Discovery through some of the most stunning landscapes of the American West. The complete itinerary will be posted here before September 1st.
$3,805 per person single occupancy
$3,010 per person double occupancy
$3,010 per person double occupancy
LIMITED SEATING
INQUIRE ABOUT AVAILABILITY: our tour van for the 2025 tour is now at capacity, but please let us know of your interest. We'll put your name on a WAITING LIST in case of cancellations. Alternatively, if enough people join the waiting list, we'll likely upgrade to a motor coach to accommodate everybody.
"The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river; & such principal stream of it, as by it's course & communication with the waters of the Pacific ocean, may offer the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent, for the purpose of commerce.” —Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, June 20, 1803.
From 1803–1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, with their Corps of Discovery, conducted an epic exploration of the American West, mapping the geography, recording all manner of plant and animal life, and engaging with the native peoples along the way. It is hard for us today to appreciate the wonders they encountered, and the challenges they had to overcome, to fulfill their mission.
Visiting many of the sites and scenes of Lewis and Clark’s grand adventure will bring alive this consequential chapter of American history. Come along on a one-of-a-kind, custom tour, with historian Neil Mangum, whose knowledge of and passion for the American saga is boundless.
From 1803–1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, with their Corps of Discovery, conducted an epic exploration of the American West, mapping the geography, recording all manner of plant and animal life, and engaging with the native peoples along the way. It is hard for us today to appreciate the wonders they encountered, and the challenges they had to overcome, to fulfill their mission.
Visiting many of the sites and scenes of Lewis and Clark’s grand adventure will bring alive this consequential chapter of American history. Come along on a one-of-a-kind, custom tour, with historian Neil Mangum, whose knowledge of and passion for the American saga is boundless.
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Above, 1925 graphic art from the National Museum of American History. Left, "End of the Trail" monument, Seaside, Oregon (Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress)
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Registration includes 9 nights lodging, admittance to all fee areas including museums and parks, lunch cruise on the Columbia River, water and snacks on the tour bus, engagement with our on-board historian, and the warm camaraderie of your fellow history adventurers.
General Itinerary (subject to change)
—June 16, Monday--
Check in to our headquarters hotel. 7:00p.m., we'll gather to hear a tour orientation by Neil, setting the stage for the journey ahead. Pick up name tags and maps packet.
—June 17, Tuesday--
Start at 8:15 each day unless noted
Key stops: Decision Point; Ft. Benton, Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center, which has exhibits on Lewis & Clark, includes Chief Joseph (Nez Perce) surrender rifle. Lunch. The “Great Falls of the Missouri"; Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center; Upper Portage Camp; overnight in Great Falls.
—June 18, Wednesday--
Key stops: Tower Rock State Park; Montana Historical Society Museum,. Lunch. Missouri Headwaters State Park; Gates of the Mountain State Park (drive by); Beaverhead State Park; Clark’s Lookout; overnight in Dillon
—June 19, Thursday--
Key Stops: Camp Fortunate; Headwaters of the Missouri on Lemhi Pass; Sacajawea birthplace and village. Lunch stop, Country Market near Baker, Idaho; Sacajawea Interpretive Center, Salmon; Ross Hole; Afternoon refreshments (beer, wine and snacks) at Travellers Rest RV and Park, courtesy Zack and Libbie Lee and Neil and Debbie Mangum; overnight in Lolo.
—June 20, Friday--
Key Stops: Lolo Pass Visitor Center; Weippe Prairie, lunch in Orofino. Boat Camp of Lewis and Clark; Nez Perce National Historical Park; overnight in Lewiston, Idaho
—June 21, Saturday--
Key stops: Leave at 7:45; Lunch Cruise on Columbia River at Richland, Washington; Rock Fort, The Dalles; overnight in The Dalles
—June 22, Sunday--
Key Stops: Beacon Rock State Park; Clark’s Dismal Ditch; Station Camp; Lewis & Clark, Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington; Astoria, Oregon Lewis & Clark sites; Ft. Clatsop (part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park); Salt Works, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, Seaside; overnight in Seaside or Cannon Beach, Oregon.
—June 23, Monday--
Key stops: Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center, Stevenson, Washington; Sacajawea State Park, Washington; Whitman Mission National Historic Site; overnight in Walla Walla.
—June 24, Tuesday--
Key stops: Hells Gate State Park, Idaho; Spalding Mission; Lewis & Clark Long Camp; Head of the Monster, the Nez Perce creation story; overnight in Lolo, Montana
—June 25, Wednesday--
Key stops: Travellers Rest State Park; pLewis & Clark Pass; Fort Shaw; return to Great Falls approximately 1:00 p.m.
Check in to our headquarters hotel. 7:00p.m., we'll gather to hear a tour orientation by Neil, setting the stage for the journey ahead. Pick up name tags and maps packet.
—June 17, Tuesday--
Start at 8:15 each day unless noted
Key stops: Decision Point; Ft. Benton, Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center, which has exhibits on Lewis & Clark, includes Chief Joseph (Nez Perce) surrender rifle. Lunch. The “Great Falls of the Missouri"; Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center; Upper Portage Camp; overnight in Great Falls.
—June 18, Wednesday--
Key stops: Tower Rock State Park; Montana Historical Society Museum,. Lunch. Missouri Headwaters State Park; Gates of the Mountain State Park (drive by); Beaverhead State Park; Clark’s Lookout; overnight in Dillon
—June 19, Thursday--
Key Stops: Camp Fortunate; Headwaters of the Missouri on Lemhi Pass; Sacajawea birthplace and village. Lunch stop, Country Market near Baker, Idaho; Sacajawea Interpretive Center, Salmon; Ross Hole; Afternoon refreshments (beer, wine and snacks) at Travellers Rest RV and Park, courtesy Zack and Libbie Lee and Neil and Debbie Mangum; overnight in Lolo.
—June 20, Friday--
Key Stops: Lolo Pass Visitor Center; Weippe Prairie, lunch in Orofino. Boat Camp of Lewis and Clark; Nez Perce National Historical Park; overnight in Lewiston, Idaho
—June 21, Saturday--
Key stops: Leave at 7:45; Lunch Cruise on Columbia River at Richland, Washington; Rock Fort, The Dalles; overnight in The Dalles
—June 22, Sunday--
Key Stops: Beacon Rock State Park; Clark’s Dismal Ditch; Station Camp; Lewis & Clark, Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington; Astoria, Oregon Lewis & Clark sites; Ft. Clatsop (part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park); Salt Works, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, Seaside; overnight in Seaside or Cannon Beach, Oregon.
—June 23, Monday--
Key stops: Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center, Stevenson, Washington; Sacajawea State Park, Washington; Whitman Mission National Historic Site; overnight in Walla Walla.
—June 24, Tuesday--
Key stops: Hells Gate State Park, Idaho; Spalding Mission; Lewis & Clark Long Camp; Head of the Monster, the Nez Perce creation story; overnight in Lolo, Montana
—June 25, Wednesday--
Key stops: Travellers Rest State Park; pLewis & Clark Pass; Fort Shaw; return to Great Falls approximately 1:00 p.m.