Travelers’ Rest was a pivotal site of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Unable to find a water route to the Pacific, the Corps paused here for two days. Before them was the most arduous part of their journey over the Lolo Trail.
The lush landscape and abundant wildlife have drawn people to the Livingston, Montana area for over 11,000 years. When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped here in July 1806, they too were impressed by the fair waters of the Yellowstone River, marveling at the natural beauty surrounding them as they discussed their plans for the next leg of their journey.
The only remaining on-site physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Pompeys Pillar National Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and is about 30 miles northeast of Billings, Montana.
Originally founded in February, 1865 in the city of Bannack, Montana, the Montana Historical Society moved to its present location in Helena in 1874 and holds the honor of being of the the oldest such institutions in the American West. In 1891, the Montana State Legislature declared it a state agency.
The best view of The Great Falls is done from the highest peak at Ryan Island Park, which is accessed from a suspension bridge across the Missouri River. After traveling a two-lane road that provides views of the expansive high plains and agricultural land, you will arrive at the viewing point of the Great Falls, located at 160 Ryan Dam Road.
Makoshika State Park is Montana’s largest state park, located just outside Glendive, along the Yellowstone River. It is a park of outstanding natural beauty, referenced in William Clark’s journal as the “birnt hills” from when Clark and his party camped in what is now the Glendive area on their return journey down the Yellowstone.
The Ravalli County Museum is uniquely situated in the Bitterroot Valley at a confluence of three historic and nationally recognized trails. The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, the Nee-Me-Poo National Historic Trail and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This summer begins our journey and discovery of these three trails.
Fort Benton is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, because of the importance it played as the head of navigation on the Missouri River and the opening of the northwest and western Canada. Established in 1846, Fort Benton is known as the “Birthplace of Montana”.
Overlooking the Missouri in Great Falls, MT is the impressive Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, administered by the USDA Forest Service. In this beautiful 25,000-square-foot building, visitors are fully immersed in the legendary story of Lewis and Clark.
