Lewis and Clark Route
1803–1806: Pittsburgh to Fort Clatsop and return to St. Louis
Contributed by James D. HarlanKristopher K. TownsendMartin Plamondon IIRalph SaundersSteve F. RussellUS National Park Service (LCNHT)
Several researchers have contributed to the making of this Lewis and Clark Trail center line—an approximation of the route the Expedition followed in 1803–1806. Very roughly, the Ohio River section was created by Kristopher K. Townsend, the Missouri River by James D. Harlan, the Bitterroot Crossing by Steve F. Russell, and Clark on the Yellowstone by Ralph Saunders. The maps of Martin Plamondon II were also consulted.
The original center line was compiled by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail of the U.S. National Park Service and placed by them—at least for a few years—into an arcGIS server application. Kristopher Townsend has converted some of the NPS data into KML and KMZ files that can be opened by mapping programs such as Google Earth. Please note that these digital maps can provide a finer granularity than this route line can accurately represent. The line is only an approximation, yet created via numerous, specific coordinates. These granular coordinates do not indicate actual footsteps, campsites, or lines paddled on rivers.
Download: Lewis and Clark Route (KML) | Lewis and Clark Route (KMZ)