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Lewis and Clark State Historic Site

Museum
In Hartford, Illinois
2.6 mi from Route 66

In Hartford, IL, this state historic site marks Camp River Dubois, the winter camp that Lewis and Clark's expedition used from December 1803 until May 1804 before setting out west. It opened in 2002 and holds an interpretive center with a theater, hands-on displays and a full-size keelboat, plus a rebuilt camp outdoors. It sits near the Mississippi about 3.3 miles off the old road, not far from the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

What is Lewis and Clark State Historic Site?

The interpretive center covers 14,000 square feet. Inside are a theater, a range of hands-on exhibits and a 55-foot keelboat built full size and cut away so you can see how it was laid out. Outside, a replica recreates Camp River Dubois.

The site is also called Lewis and Clark State Park. It stands behind Chain of Rocks Levee, on its landward side, roughly a quarter mile from the Illinois bank of the Mississippi.

History of Lewis and Clark State Historic Site

The expedition spent the winter of 1803 to 1804 here, preparing for the long journey ahead. Along the national historic trail that follows the expedition's route, this spot is designated Trail Site Number 1.

Illinois opened the site in 2002. Today the state's Department of Natural Resources runs it through its Division of Historic Preservation.

Visiting Lewis and Clark State Historic Site: tips

Plan on one to two hours for the center and the outdoor camp. Restrooms and parking are on site, and the site reports wheelchair access and plenty for kids. The Confluence Bike Trail passes right by, and the site also marks the southern end of a scenic drive named Meeting of the Great Rivers. Seeing the keelboat indoors and the camp outside helps put the scale of the trip in perspective.

Jones-Confluence Point State Park is about 1.4 miles away, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area about 2.7 miles, and the Chain of Rocks Bridge, where Route 66 once crossed the Mississippi, about 4.9 miles.

Practical info

Address: 1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, IL 62048
Phone: +1 618-251-5811
Website: campdubois.com
Hours: Wed–Sun 9–5
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Lewis and Clark State Historic Site

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Crown Candy Kitchen
St. Louis, MO · 11.6 mi from Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
An old-fashioned soda fountain and candy shop in Old North St. Louis, known for handmade malts.