Jefferson River Canoe Trail

Jefferson River Canoe Trail

Outdoor Adventure

11227, U.S. 287

Three Forks Montana 59752

--^o

Current Conditions

Information

406-685-3222

No cost.

lat: 45.8647088 long: -111.6293514

The Jefferson River Canoe Trail retraces by water an essential segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail along the entire length of the Jefferson River in southwest Montana.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition towed dugout canoes up the Jefferson River in 1805 in search of a navigable water route to the Pacific. Most present-day travelers prefer to follow the trail in reverse, floating down the Jefferson River in search of fun and fishing. The entire length of the river is Class I water, suitable for beginning paddlers, except during runoff season in spring.

The Canoe Trail includes a network of multipurpose campsites on public lands on the Jefferson River. The public may float into these sites for primitive camping along the river. At each camp there are opportunities for such activities as bird watching, mushrooming, hiking, and fishing.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Camp Three Forks

Camp Three Forks

15 Koa Road, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
Distance: 2.93 Away

RV & Camping Outdoor Adventure

View Listing

Headwaters Heritage Museum

Headwaters Heritage Museum

Headwaters Heritage Museum, South Main Street, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 4.18 Away

Family Fun Museum, Theatre, or Interpretive Center Guides and Tours History

View Listing

Three Forks of the Missouri

Three Forks of the Missouri

Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 7.36 Away

State Park Outdoor Adventure Trail

View Listing

Missouri Headwaters State Park

Missouri Headwaters State Park

Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 7.36 Away

History Outdoor Adventure

View Listing

Montana Gift Corral

Montana Gift Corral

Montana Gift Corral - Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Montana 2, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.04 Away

Shopping and Leisure

View Listing

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

Outdoor Adventure

View Listing

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Trails System

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Trails System

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

Trail State Park

View Listing

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Visitor Centers

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Visitor Centers

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

View Listing

Civilian Conservation Corps Historic Development of Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Civilian Conservation Corps Historic Development of Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

View Listing

Music by the Caverns

Music by the Caverns

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

View Listing

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Parks Volunteer Options

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Parks Volunteer Options

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

Outdoor Adventure

View Listing

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Campground

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Campground

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Whitehall, MT, USA
Distance: 11.43 Away

RV & Camping BBQ

View Listing

Instagram Feed

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Big Bone Lick

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Kentucky

https://www.nps.gov/places/big-bone-lick-state-historic-site-kentucky.htm

“Thomas Jefferson knew about this place and asked Meriwether Lewis to stop and collect some fossils and send them back.

Someone was already running the place as a tourist destination, so, Lewis had no trouble finding it. “Mr. David Ross of Virginia” decided before Lewis arrived that he did not want anyone taking anything from the lick anymore, probably because people had quickly taken most of the biggest fossils.

Lewis convinced a fellow collector, Dr. William Goforth of Cincinnati, to send specimens already excavated to Jefferson. William Clark returned to the site four years later to retrieve more fossils.”

Give it a visit if you can and be sure to also check out all the great, non-Lewis and Clark historical offerings that Kentucky has to offer!

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #bigbonelickstatehistoricsite

Share your photos and stories from the Trail! Thi

Share your photos and stories from the Trail!

This photo was shared by Norman N. a few weeks ago:

“Eagle Creek- L&C camp of May 31st 1805. The Morning sun never lets you down.”

Thanks for sharing, Norman!

-----

Some more information about Eagle Creek and the Corps’ campsite (sourced from lewis-clark.org):

“The day brings endless “seens of visionary inchantment” as they struggle to move through the White Cliffs area of the Upper Missouri River Breaks. When a tow rope breaks, Lewis once again mentions the white pirogue‘s “evil gennii”. After passing Citadel Rock and Grand Natural Wall, they camp at present-day Eagle Creek where Lewis notices a distinctive species of pine.”

-----

“As we passed on it seemed as if those seens of visionary inchantment would never have and end; for here it is too that nature presents to the view of the traveler vast ranges of walls of tolerable workmanship, so perfect indeed are those walls that I should have thought that nature had attempted here to rival the human art of masonry had I not recollected that she had first began her work.”
—Meriwether Lewis

https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/31-may-1805/

-----

Do you have pictures or personal stories from your time along the Trail?! If you do, please message the group with them for a chance to be featured in future posts!

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel

Do you live in the Omaha area (or need a great rea

Do you live in the Omaha area (or need a great reason to visit?) Save The Date For The “Lewis and Clark Expo”!

Dates: October 4 & 5, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location:
601 Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102
Riverfront Plaza and Lawn at The RiverFront (41.2626789, -95.9236506)
*Just South of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail's Visitor Center at Lewis and Clark Landing*

https://www.nps.gov/lecl/planyourvisit/lecl_headquarters.htm

About The Expo:

“The National Park Service's Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail presents to you the first, Lewis and Clark Expo! This expo is a FREE family friendly event that will host several organizations.

Highlighting this event, the Lewis & Clark Discovery Expedition of Saint Charles, Missouri is bringing a one-of-a-kind replica Keelboat and their team of dedicated reenactors to the Omaha Riverfront. This full-scale replica Keelboat is based on the drawings by Captain William Clark and has been showcased in several films, documentaries, and televised miniseries.

The reenactors will be teaching heritage through living history, recreating the buckskin and uniform dress of 1804, sleeping under canvas, cooking over campfires, and so many more educational demonstrations.

This fun and educational event will include several free exhibits, demonstrations, and entertainment from a number of organizations including the National Park Service.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #omahanebraska #lewisandclarkexposition

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Sioux City Le

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center

https://www.nps.gov/places/sioux-city-lewis-clark-interpretive-center.htm

“From late July to early September of 1804, the Corps of Discovery traveled up the Missouri between today’s states of Iowa and Nebraska – specifically in the vicinity of Sioux City, Iowa.

In a beautiful park right along the banks of the Missouri stands an impressive 20,000-square-foot Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center where visitors will enjoy an impressive collection of permanent exhibits that focus on the Expedition’s story from July to September 1804. At the center of the story is the death and burial of Sergeant Charles Floyd on August 20, 1804.

The Expedition as a military operation comes to life in murals and exhibits that use interactive devices, computers, flip books, stamping stations, text-and-graphic panels, lift-and-drop panels, a brass-rubbing station, and reproductions of military equipment.”

Give it a visit if you can and be sure to also check out all the great, non-Lewis and Clark historical offerings that Sioux City has to offer!

https://siouxcitylcic.com/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #siouxcityiowa

Share your photos and stories from the Trail! Thi

Share your photos and stories from the Trail!

This photo was shared by Joseph D. last week:

“From my wife’s and my trip in May of 2023 following the L&C Trail, one of our stops”

Thanks for sharing, Joseph!

Do you have pictures or personal stories from your time along the Trail?! If you do, please message the group with them for a chance to be featured in future posts!

--------------------

Some more information about Spirit Mound (sourced from NPS):

“Spirit Mound was alternately described as a “mountain of evel spirits”, a “hill of little people”, and a “place of Deavels.” The Sioux, Omaha, and Otoe tribes told of 18-inch tall humans with “remarkable large heads” who inhabited the site. Armed with arrows, these spirits attacked anyone who approached the hill. What did Lewis and Clark expect to find there?

As Sergeant Ordway noted, they “found none of the little people.” They did, however, observe hundreds of bison, expansive prairie, and great flocks of birds flying above the mound. Clark deduced that the steady wind over the open prairie drove insects to seek shelter on the leeward side of the mound. The birds came to feed on the insects. Writing in his journal, Clark hypothesized that the stories associated with the site might have their origins in the unusual animal activity.”

https://www.nps.gov/lecl/learn/historyculture/spirit-mound.htm

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #spiritmoundhistoricprairie

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Lewis and Cla

“Along The Trail” Park Feature - Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

https://www.nps.gov/lewi/index.htm

Located in Astoria, Oregon, The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is an incredible place to find immersive experiences related to the Corps of Discovery and their time spent wintering on the Pacific Coast. Here you can see a replica of the fort they built to survive the winter (Fort Clatsop), hike the trails and hills that members of the Corps likely set foot on, interact with rangers and historical experts to learn what daily life was like there, and even find opportunities to fish and paddle in the pristine wilderness.

Give it a visit if you can and be sure to also check out all the great, non-Lewis and Clark historical offerings that Astoria has to offer!

Some historical context on the Park and Fort Clatsop below (sourced from the NPS website linked above):

“In November 1805, after some 600 miles of water travel down the Clearwater, Snake, and Columbia rivers, they [The Corps] finally sighted the Pacific.

Within 10 days of arriving on the coast, Lewis and Clark decided to leave their storm-bound camp on the north shore and cross the river, where elk were reported to be plentiful. Lewis, with a small party, scouted ahead and found a "most eligible" site for winter quarters. On December 10, 1805, the men began to build a fort about two miles up the Netul River (now Lewis and Clark River). By Christmas Day they were under shelter. They named the fort for the friendly local native american tribe, the Clatsop. It would be their home for the next three months.”

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #lewisandclarknationalhistoricalpark #nps #astoriaoregon

Share your photos and stories from the Trail! Thi

Share your photos and stories from the Trail!

This photo was shared by Lexie B. last week. Thanks for sharing, Lexie!:

“Not from the trail, but Meriwether Lewis' memorial in the light of the super/blue moon that occurred on his 250th birthday a few days ago”

Do you have pictures or personal stories from your time along the Trail?! If you do, please message the group with them for a chance to be featured in future posts!

Natchez Trace Parkway

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nationalparkservice #NatchezTraceParkway

This Day In History (Along The Trail)! August 27,

This Day In History (Along The Trail)!

August 27, 1805: Cpt. Clark gives us a view into the life of the Corps while they were transiting the Lemhi Valley and some insight into their ever-present concerns over food availability:

“Some frost this morning… every Man except one, out hunting, a young man Came from the upper Village & informed me that Capt Lewis would join me abt. 12 oClock to day. one man killed a Small Sammon, and the Indians gave me another which afforded us a Sleight brackfast. Those Pore people are here depending on what fish They Can Catch, without anything else to depend on; and appere Contented, my party hourly Complaining of their retched Situation and [word ineligible, possibly “contemplating”?] doubts of Starveing in a Countrey where no game of any kind except a fiew fish can be found, an Indian brough[t] in to the Camp 5 Sammon, two of which I purchased which afforded us a Supper.”

*Photograph taken from wikimedia commons of the Lemhi Valley (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Lemhi_Valley)

#lewisandclark #history #lemhipass #adventure #travel

Last week we posted a ‘Save The Date’ for the

Last week we posted a ‘Save The Date’ for the “Lewis and Clark Expo” on our Facebook page, but today we want to highlight an incredibly important organization that is helping to make history come alive during that event.

Founded in 1996, The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles (DESC) provides living history and museum experiences that promote education and the study of our nation’s cultural and natural heritage, centering on the period surrounding the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806.

This organization’s dedicated team of volunteers and reenactors will display a replica keelboat during the “Lewis and Clark Expo” in Omaha, Nebraska on October 4 & 5 and a few days afterwards they will sail the boat down the Missouri to Kansas City! Be on the lookout for updates related to the boat’s adventures after the Expo concludes!

Please show your support and visit www.lewisandclarkboathouse.org for more information.

We'll be comparing Western and Eastern plants on o

We'll be comparing Western and Eastern plants on our Big Meadows Hike in Virginia in September. Join us by getting a ticket at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-meadows-hike-lunch-and-winery-visit-tickets-914551727837

From hike guide Shannon Kelly:

The bitterroot has long been a major food staple and spiritual uplifter for indigenous peoples of the northern Rockies. Lewis recorded observations of the plant and information on its life cycle and uses from Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Salish people in 1805 and 1806. His specimen with roots was studied by botanist Frederick Pursh after the expedition. One day the specimen was exposed to moisture but, much to Pursh’s surprise, the bitterroot began to grow! Although it never bloomed, it vegetated for a year. Hence the hardy plant’s Latin scientific name Lewisia rediviva. It became Montana’s state flower in 1895. You can learn more about plants east and west on a pre-meeting trip to Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park on September 22nd. Follow the link for more information and registration.

Photo: Bitterroot flowers by Shannon Kelly