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Lewis And Clark State Park |
Lewis And Clark State Park
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Facilities and Activities
Park Construction and Renovation
New Interpretive Center under construction with no completion date at this time.
The park remains open. Please contact park staff for current project updates.
Lewis and Clark Rendezvous participants
Lewis and Clark is a very popular area for family picnics. The park has more
than 30 acres of picnic grounds with tables, fireplaces, and drinking water. An
open picnic shelter is available for picnic use and may be reserved for a fee
through the park office.
The lodge at Lewis and Clark is a fine place for group events such as wedding
receptions and family reunions. The lodge was constructed in the 1930s by the
Civilian Conservation Corps. Reservations for the lodge may be obtained through
the park office.
Camping
The Lewis and Clark campground is a great place to spend a leisurely vacation in
the outdoors. The 82 campsites, all with electrical hookups, lie along the
lakeshore. Modern rest rooms and showers are available, as is a trailer dump
station. Starting February 13, 2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked
through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available
for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Trails
Lewis and Clark State Park is a fine place for a leisurely hike. On the trails,
park visitors can see a variety of trees, shrubs, and, often, wildlife including
deer, rabbits and squirrels, as well as a wide variety of bird species. A
self-guided nature trail is present and provides an excellent opportunity to
learn more about the natural communities of the park.
Lake Activities (Swimming, boating, fishing)
The 250 acres of Blue Lake offer a variety of water-oriented recreational
opportunities. The beach is a fine place for sunbathing and swimming. Two boat
ramps are available for easy lake access. No restrictions are placed on motor
size. Fishing is good for a variety of species including bass, northerns,
crappies, bluegills and catfish.
Keelboat Display
While visiting Lewis and Clark, please take the opportunity to view the
full-sized reproduction of Lewis and Clark's keelboat, "Discovery," which was
constructed by volunteer efforts in the park itself. Imagine, if you can, the
expedition winding its way up the Missouri River while sailing, pulling and
poling the 55-foot boat.
Lewis and Clark State Park lies on the shores of Blue Lake, an "oxbow" formed by
the meanderings of the picturesque Missouri River many years ago.
The park is named for Meriwether Lewis, secretary to President Thomas Jefferson,
and Captain William Clark, United States Army, who were commissioned by
President Jefferson in 1804 to head an expedition into the northwest to explore
the vast territory purchased from France. With 26 men and supplies, Lewis and
Clark led their expedition up the Missouri River from St. Louis by keelboat.
On August 10, 1804, the expedition arrived at the site where Lewis and Clark
State Park now lies. They spent some time there exploring the region and making
observations on the geographical conditions, plants and animals in the area.
Today, thousands of people visit the park every year for outdoor recreation and
to learn a little bit more about the Lewis and Clark expedition. The park has
been designated as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by the
National Park Service.
Nearby Towns
Onawa is 5 miles east of the park on State Highway 175. Blencoe is 5 miles east
and 7 miles south on U.S. Highway 75. Turin is 12 miles east on State Highway
175. Sioux City is 41 miles north on Interstate 29. Council Bluffs is 65 miles
south on Interstate 29.
Annual "Festivals" and "Special Events"
In 1984, the first annual Lewis and Clark Festival was held at Lewis and Clark
State park near Onawa, the site of an 1804 Lewis and Clark encampment. The June
festival features movies about the 1804 expedition, buckskinners in frontier
dress, bluegrass music and historic presentations. A major attraction is the
full-sized reproduction of Lewis and Clark's keelboat, Discovery, constructed by
local volunteers and park staff.
(other annual festivals & special events)
Contact Information
21914 Park Loop
Onawa, IA 51040
ph. 712/423-2829
fax 712/423-2829
E-mail address: Lewis_and_Clark@dnr.state.ia.us |
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