National park · United States
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Give the park half a day: Fort Clatsop and the Netul River trail in the morning, then Cape Disappointment or Ecola in the afternoon. Go May–September; arrive before 10:00 in July–August.Give the park half a day: Fort Clatsop and the Netul River trail in the morning, then Cape Disappointment or Ecola in the afternoon. Go May–September; arrive before 10:00 AM in July–August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
approximate
Established
1958
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Pacific Northwest ↗Prices are shown before sales tax; Oregon has no sales tax, Washington does.
- Pacific Northwest ↗Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
- Federal park units only; the associated state park sites on both sides of the river add far more land (check).
- Established
- 1958
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Astoria
This is not one block of land. It is a set of sites on both sides of the Columbia River mouth — Fort Clatsop and the Netul River on the Oregon side near Astoria, Cape Disappointment and Fort Columbia on the Washington side near Ilwaco — tied together because the Lewis and Clark expedition wintered here in 1805–06. Fort Clatsop is the core and the only part with a full visitor centre and a ranger-led replica fort. The rest is state park land with its own fees, its own hours and, at Cape Disappointment, a lighthouse and a much bigger coastline. Plan it as a driving day from Astoria, not as a single stop.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1958.
Size and age
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²) · national park since 1958
Federal park units only; the associated state park sites on both sides of the river add far more land (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Astoria.
Why go
- A rebuilt Fort Clatsop and a small museum put the winter of 1805–06 in one place, with rangers on hand.
- The Netul River boardwalk is a flat, quiet walk through spruce and alder that most visitors skip.
- Cape Disappointment, on the Washington side, adds a lighthouse, ocean overlooks and a much wilder coast.
- It works as a wet-day plan: the fort, the visitor centre and the museum are indoors.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanRain, short days, some sites on winter hours
- FebWettest stretch; storm watching only
- MarRain easing; fewer crowds
- AprGreen, cool, some dry spells
- MayMild and often dry; everything open
- JunLong days; morning fog burns off
- JulDriest month but busiest; go early
- AugWarm, crowded, book camping ahead
- SepDry, clear, crowds thinning
- OctRain returns; good light on the coast
- NovWet and grey; storm season starts
- DecRain, wind, limited hours
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbour seals and sea lions off the river mouthAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bald eagles and shorebirds along the estuaryOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Grey whale migration offshoreMar–May, Dec · Seen from headlands on calm days; no guarantees. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Roosevelt elk in nearby state park landSep–Nov · Keep well back; elk are dangerous in rut. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Astoria
Drive US-101 south about 8 km (5 mi) to the Fort Clatsop entrance.Drive US-101 south about 5 mi (8 km) to the Fort Clatsop entrance.
15 min
Open the page →
From Portland
US-26 west to US-101, then north to the park.
2 h
From Seattle
I-5 south to Longview, WA-433 across the Columbia, then US-30 west.
3.5–4 h
From Ilwaco and Long Beach
US-101 north across the Astoria–Megler bridge, then west to Cape Disappointment.
30–40 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Clatsop | Visitor centre, museum, replica fort, ranger talks and the Netul River trail. | Open daily with a ticket; shorter hours in winter. |
| Netul River and Fort Clatsop trail network | Flat boardwalk and forest paths along the river. | Open with park entry. |
| Cape Disappointment (Washington) | State park with two lighthouses, ocean overlooks and the Lewis and Clark interpretive centre. | State park fee; some roads and trails close in storms. |
| Fort Columbia and Fort Stevens | Coastal defence forts from later wars, both near the river mouth. | Separate state park hours and fees. |
| Ecola State Park | Headland south of Seaside with views back along the coast. | State park day-use fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Fort Clatsop visitor centre · Headquarters≈46.134, -123.877Map ↗
- 2Netul River trail · Trail≈46.129, -123.872Map ↗
- 3Astoria · Town≈46.188, -123.831Map ↗
- 4Fort Stevens State Park · Gate≈46.202, -123.963Map ↗
- 5Cape Disappointment · Viewpoint≈46.288, -124.052Map ↗
- 6Ilwaco · Town≈46.309, -124.028Map ↗
- 7Ecola State Park · Viewpoint≈45.977, -123.974Map ↗
- 8Seaside · Town≈45.993, -123.923Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park's sites are spread across two states.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Clatsop entrance (federal park) | US$10 | person | 2026 estimate; under-16s free. Covers the visitor centre, fort replica and Netul River trail. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers this park and other federal fee areas for a year. |
| Cape Disappointment State Park (Washington) | US$10 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; separate from the federal park, plus a Discover Pass option (check). |
| Fort Stevens State Park (Oregon) | US$5 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; day-use fee (check). |
| Ecola State Park (Oregon) | US$5 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; day-use fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Fort Clatsop entry permit or guide
Camping at Cape Disappointment, Fort Stevens or Ecola permit or guide
Lighthouse tours at Cape Disappointment no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$80
- US$10
- US$5
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Lewis and Clark National Historical Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Cliff edges at Cape Disappointment and Ecola are unstable and often fenced for a reason.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on most park trails but not in the fort replica or visitor centre; state park rules differ (check).
- Drones
- Not allowed over federal park land without permission; state parks have their own rules (check).check
- Tides and surf logs
- On ocean beaches, never turn your back on the surf; sneaker waves move driftwood.
- Fires and collecting
- Fires only in provided rings; do not take artefacts, shells or driftwood from park land.
Where to stay
Near the park
Astoria
Hotels, motels and inns 15 minutes from Fort Clatsop; the most central base.
Near the park
Seaside
Beach town with family motels, 30 minutes south.
Near the park
Long Beach and Ilwaco
Washington-side base for Cape Disappointment, 30–40 minutes from Fort Clatsop.
Near the park
Fort Stevens, Cape Disappointment and Ecola state park campgrounds
Reserve well ahead for summer; expect rain and wind any month.
Safety
Rain and wind medium
Sneaker waves and logs on ocean beaches high
Cliff edges and unstable ground medium
Long drives between sites low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Fort Clatsop visitor centre, museum and fort replica have paved access and are largely step-free.
- The Netul River boardwalk is flat and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Cape Disappointment and Ecola viewpoints involve slopes, gravel and steps; some are not accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the state park day-use fees rather than parking on verges; the money maintains the trails.
- Pack out everything from beaches and headlands; coastal litter reaches the ocean quickly.
- Keep distance from seals, sea lions and elk, and never feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lewis and Clark National Historical Park?
Fort Clatsop charges about US$10 per adult (2026 estimate), with under-16s free; the America the Beautiful annual pass at about US$80 covers it. The Washington and Oregon state park sites nearby — Cape Disappointment, Fort Stevens, Ecola — charge their own day-use fees of roughly US$5–10 per vehicle, so a full two-state day costs more than the federal ticket alone.
What are the best hikes in Lewis and Clark National Historical Park?
The Netul River boardwalk at Fort Clatsop is the easiest and most reliable: flat, forested and about an hour. For something longer, the Cape Disappointment trails on the Washington side link the lighthouses and ocean overlooks in two to three hours, with steep and muddy sections. Ecola State Park adds short headland walks with coastal views.
When is the best time to visit Lewis and Clark National Historical Park?
May, June and September give the best mix of mild weather, long daylight and manageable crowds. July and August are driest but busiest, so arrive before 10:00. October is still workable with rain returning; November to February is wet, windy and on shorter hours.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No for Fort Clatsop — pay at the entrance and walk in. Yes for camping: Cape Disappointment, Fort Stevens and Ecola state park campgrounds fill weeks ahead in summer, so book early. Lighthouse tours at Cape Disappointment are seasonal and volunteer-run.
Can I visit without a car?
Not realistically. The sites are spread across the Columbia River mouth in two states and are 30–60 minutes apart by road; public transport between them is minimal. Astoria is the most central base, and US-101 links most of the sites.
Is this the same as the Lewis and Clark Trail?
No. The national historical park covers the wintering sites at the Columbia River mouth. The Lewis and Clark Trail is the much longer route the expedition followed across the western United States.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
- officialNational Park Service — Fort Clatsop
- officialWashington State Parks — Cape Disappointment
- officialOregon State Parks — Fort Stevens
- secondaryWikipedia — Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, revision 5192010 (CC BY-SA 4.0)