Oregon Coast Loop
Sacagawea's Day at the Beach
After a month at their Fort Clatsop winter quarters, Sacagawea had still not seen the Pacific Ocean. This would soon change:
“Capt Clark set out after an early breakfast with the party in two canoes as had been concerted the last evening; Charbono and his Indian woman were also of the party; the Indian woman was very impotunate to be permited to go, and was therefore indulged; she observed that she had traveled a long way with us to see the great waters, and that now that monstrous fish was also to be seen, she thought it very hard she could not be permitted to see either (she had never yet been to the Ocean).”
—Meriwether Lewis (January 6, 1806)
This Inspiration Trip includes the must-see Lewis and Clark attractions surrounding Fort Clatsop. You don’t need the captains’ permission, nor be ‘importunate’ to go!
(For nearby Washington attractions, see Inspiration Trip Vancouver to Long Beach, WA.)
You may also like our L&C Travel Magazine!
The Astoria Column has served for over 80 years as a beacon on the Pacific Northwest Coast. It sits in a wooded area 600 feet above sea level on Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, Oregon’s highest point. There are great views of the Columbia, Youngs, and Lewis and Clark Rivers.
Murals spiraling around the 110-foot-tall monument depict the history of the area up to the arrival of the railroad. This is a local favorite site for picnics, watching sunsets, and is a prime viewing area for Independence Day fireworks.
Entrance is free but parking currently costs $5 per vehicle which is good for one year. The park can be accessed by foot trails as well. No reservations required.
Learn the history at our educational website: Bivouac at Tongue Point.
Astoria Column, Coxcomb Drive, Astoria, OR, USA
Astoria Column, Coxcomb Drive, Astoria, OR, USA
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Marine Drive, Astoria, OR, USA
Astoria Riverwalk Inn, Industry Street, Astoria, OR, USA
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Marine Drive, Astoria, OR, USA
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Visitors seeking natural beauty along the Lewis and Clark Trail should make Youngs River Falls a stop. On March 1, 1806, Sgt. Patrick Gass noted:
“There is a large river that flows into the southeast part of Hayley’s Bay; upon which, about 20 miles from its mouth, our hunters discovered falls, which had about 60 feet of a perpendicular pitch.”
The falls can be seen from the parking lot, but they are best seen via the .25-mile trail.
Installed in 1990, the bronze End of the Trail statue symbolizes the end of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s 4,000-mile, 18-month journey.
The statue by Stanley Wanlass stands at the Turnaround in Seaside, Oregon, where Broadway Street ends at the historic Seaside Promenade, a 1.5-mile stretch of paved walkway along the Pacific Ocean that was built in 1920.
The spot offers travelers a fantastic opportunity for reflection of their journey, coupled with pristine views of the Pacific Ocean.
Note: The artists’ depiction is symbolic. The end of the trail would be near Long Beach, Washington or Cannon Beach, Oregon. Both sites were visited by Clark, but Lewis never visited the Oregon beaches. The captains viewed the ocean on separate trips on separate days.
End of Lewis & Clark National Historical Trail, Broadway Street, Seaside, OR, USA
Seaside Aquarium, North Promenade, Seaside, OR, USA
Seaside, OR, USA
Seaside Museum & Historical Society, Necanicum Drive, Seaside, OR, USA
Seaside Museum & Historical Society, Necanicum Drive, Seaside, OR, USA
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The Lewis & Clark Salt Works gives visitors a culturally historic monument and the story of an important aspect of the Lewis and Clark story in a small community park in Seaside, Oregon.
At this spot, they had a supply of rocks to make an oven and for the oven fire, plenty of driftwood that naturally collected at the cove to the south. These were needed to keep saltwater boiling until the salty brine could be collected and refined. The salt works was in operation until February 20 making about 3.5 bushels (about 28 gallons) of “Excellent, fine, strong & white” salt.
Located near the southern end of the Seaside Promenade, this is easily reached via a walk on the beach or Promenade.
Learn the history at our educational website: The Salt Works.
Lewis and Clark Salt Cairn Historic Monument, Seaside, OR, USA
Lewis & Clark Salt Cairn Historic Monument, Seaside, OR, USA
Elmer Feldenheimer State Natural Area, 3528 Sunset Blvd, Seaside, OR 97138, USA
North Gateway Park, U.S. 101, Seaside, OR, USA
Lewis & Clark Salt Cairn Historic Monument, Seaside, OR, USA
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Elmer Feldenheimer State Natural Area, 3528 Sunset Blvd, Seaside, OR 97138, USA
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If you only visit one place at Ecola State Park, it would be the Ecola Point Viewpoint. It is the vantage point that has launched thousands of photographs and paintings. The view is great in any kind of weather!
From this viewpoint, you can hike or drive down to Indian Beach where the Clatsop Loop Trail takes the explorer to even more impressive views. Clark gave this very accurate description:
“from this point I beheld the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in my frount a boundless Ocean . . . . inoumerable rocks of emence Sise out at a great distance from the Shore and against which the Seas brak with great force gives this Coast a most romantic appearance”
—William Clark, January 8, 1806
Learn the history at our educational website: The Beached Whale.
Ecola Point Viewpoint, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Indian Beach, Ecola State Park, Oregon, USA
W2HC+XH Cannon Beach, OR, USA
NeCus’ Park, 268 Beaver St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Within Fort Stevens State Park, the Visitor Center and Museum unravels the area’s long history. Tours through the old earthen fort (Civil War era) and concrete artillery gun batteries (World War II era) are also available.
The park is located on Point Adams where many of Lewis and Clark’s hunters roamed in the winter of 1805–1806. There were also several Clatsop villages nearby.
Several camping options are available with including yurts, cabins, restrooms, showers, a playground, and a dump station. Those with a passion for the outdoors will enjoy the golf course, fishing, 15 miles of multi-use trails, and access to Coffenbury Lake for swimming and boating.
While you are here, be sure to visit the Wreck of the Peter Iredale and Tansy Point where the (in)famous Tansy Point treaties of 1851 were negotiated.
Learn the history at our educational website: Fort Clatsop Elk and The Clatsops
Fort Stevens, Warrenton, OR, USA
Fort Stevens State Park, Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR, USA
Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Hammond, OR, USA
Tansy Point, Warrenton, OR, USA
One of the highlights along the Historic Lewis and Clark Trail, Fort Clatsop is on a small hill above the Lewis and Clark River. On December 7, 1805, the expedition encamped at the site they selected for their winter quarters. It was desirable for the availability of game, proximity to the ocean for salt-making, and moderate temperatures.
Today’s visitor will find a reconstructed fort, visitor’s center, and a short walk to Netul Landing and Trail. One of the Fort-to-Sea trailheads is located across the road from the fort.
Learn the history at our educational website: Winter at Fort Clatsop.
Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, OR, USA
Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, OR, USA
Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, OR, USA
Netul Landing Visitor Center, Netul River Trail, Astoria, OR, USA
Netul Landing Visitor Center, Netul River Trail, Astoria, OR, USA
View ListingOur bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
