Geotourism Toolkit

A contemporary look at the landscape from Lewis Lookout, located a short distance from Dillon, Montana.

NPS Photo

Showcase Your Place!

www.lewisandclark.travel : A Free Online Travel Guide

Every year, thousands of visitors travel along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

The National Park Service is creating an online travel guide of the unique businesses and attractions for visitors seeking locally focused, out-of-the-ordinary travel experiences.

Make sure they know about your special place! Submit your favorite places of interest – businesses, restaurants, festivals, events, activities, sights, and special attractions. Your submission will support your local area by promoting the adventure, the extraordinary, the authenticity, and the unforgettable.

 

Nominations Guidelines

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Geotourism Coalition is working with the National Park Service to create a Geotourism online travel guide. Geotourism is defined by Travel Writer Jonathan Tourtellot as “Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

What are the basics of nominating a site

Residents, visitors, community organizations, tourism stakeholders, and local businesses are asked to nominate sites for potential inclusion in a destination branded online travel guide of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. (If you are not the owner or administrator of what you are nominating, please check with them before making a nomination.) Your nominations will help to tell the stories along the Trail, from ancient times to the sites, attractions, and businesses that make the region unique today. Complete an online Nomination Form and help identify destinations and experiences most distinctive to the people and places of your region. It is free to be featured on the site! Visit lewisandclark.travel to get started. 

What sites can be nominated?

Is the spot, attraction, business, activity, or experience distinctive to our town, area, or region, and is it authentic to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail experience?

Examples may include:

• Remarkable natural areas and geologic features such as creeks, lakes, bluffs, beaches, wetlands, bayous, forests, rivers, or wetlands

• Distinctive wildlife habitats and notable species of birds, mammals, flowers, or trees

• Places featuring local cuisine or agricultural products such as farmers markets, shops and restaurants, agro-tourism sites Events, ceremonies, and festivals that highlight the community’s heritage, food, music, and traditions

• Cultural experiences such as heritage sites, museums, theaters, music, literature, and performingarts

• Artist studios and galleries, craft workshops, and shops featuring handmade items from the region

• Outdoor experiences such as rafting, hiking, biking, hunting, horseback riding, beaches, swamp tours, water activities, parks, or heritage areas Historic places such as trails, old homes, or distinctive local architecture

• Scenic routes including hiking trails, bike routes, water ways, birding trails, and scenicbyways

• Community stewardship projects, land trusts, conservation, or restoration initiatives

• Locally owned and family businesses like a café, pub, craft shop, winery, or unique lodging

• Local artist or artisan, storyteller, outdoor guide or historian Legends, stories or other unique aspects of the region

Highlight what makes your site unique

What story does this site or experience help tell?

Are there significant historic, cultural or natural features associated with the site?

Is it under-appreciated by local residents and visitors, or is it already crowded or atcapacity?

Does the site offer a unique experience? Is there local awareness and pride in this place?

Do the community and local businesses benefit from and support visitation at the site?

Does the site have eco-friendly practices such as recycling, composting, growing their own produce, or an energy efficient facility?

Who can I contact to learn more?

To learn more about this program, email Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Outdoor Recreation Planner Larry Calhoun at [e-mail].

 

Guide to Nominating Your Site on LewisandClark.travel

Step 1: Click “Add New Nomination”

Step 2: Select the most appropriate section for your nomination. You can read more about each section by clicking on the ‘learn more’. You can learn about the nomination criteria and guidelines by clicking on the Nominations Guidelines link.

Step 3: Provide your nomination with a title and save it. (Please use upper and lower case rather than all caps; i.e. “My Place” not “MY PLACE”.)

Step 4: TEXT: Add additional text information about your nomination. Don’t forget to include information on Eco-Friendly and Accessibility. Click “Save and Next” after TEXT, MEDIA, CONTACTS, and MAPPING.

Step 5: MEDIA: Upload photo images of your nomination. You must include at least 3 images, but can do as many as you would like. File size should be 200 kb to 2 mb (ideal is 1,000 pixels wide). Although there is an option for videos, videos are currently disabled on the site. Images must have a caption and a photo credit!

Step 6: Add contact information for your nomination. This should be the information you want the public to use to contact the site. You can have more than one contact if you choose.

Step 7: Choose to map as a single location, many locations, a route, or as an area. You can change from one type of mapping to another later on. Use the tools to zoom-in and accurately plot your nomination on the map. You can also search for place names and addresses to get in the vicinity. Make sure your nomination is marked exactly. Use the zoom tool to ensure accurate mapping. Ideally, the name of the nearest community should be visible in the map extent.

Step 8: On the bottom, change “Status” from “Inactive” to “Submit to Editor”

Step 9: All of your nominations are listed on your dashboard. You can make updates/edits to them at any time.