Lewis and Clark - Canoe Camp

Canoe Camp Logo with Canoe and paddle on river
Canoe Camp is where Lewis and Clark built the canoes that would take them to the Pacific Ocean.

Nez Perce National Historical Park


These grounds have been inhabited for thousands of years by the Nez Perce people, but are best known as the place where the Lewis and Clark Corps Of Discovery worked with the Nez Perce to carve the canoes that took them to the Pacific Ocean in 1805.

The Corps was unable to find enough food along the Lolo Trail, so by the time they got here, they were starving. At their first meal with the Nez Perce, they ate so much of the rich salmon and camas root that they were sick for days. Even in their weakened state and slowed by hot weather, they still managed to carve five canoes in twelve days.

As the Corps left for their journey to the Pacific, they cached their saddles and gear and left their horses here in the care of the Nez Perce until their return in the spring.

Read what Captains Lewis and Clark recorded in their journals as a web page, MSWord document (26.5 kb) or as an Adobe pdf (107 kb).

 
Historic drawing of a Nimiipuu camp at Canoe Camp
Visit Canoe Camp

The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery worked with the Nez Perce to carve canoes for the Corps' journey to the Pacific Ocean in 1805.

Last updated: September 19, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Nez Perce National Historical Park
39063 US Hwy 95

Lapwai, ID 83540-9715

Phone:

208 843-7001

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