Driving down Highway 12, through the rolling dune-colored fields of southeastern Washington, you see a stand of green up ahead. It's not a mirage. It's Lewis and Clark Trail State Park.
A lush oasis on an arid landscape, this park beckons to weary travelers. Pull off the road, set up your tent or RV and prepare to relax. Amble down the shaded trails for a wade or dip in the Touchet River; identify long-needled ponderosa pine, alder, maple and cottonwood trees and do some birdwatching for common mergansers, red-tailed hawks and orange-crowned warblers, among others. Or catch a few fish for your evening meal.
Before you turn in for the night, consider that this was the spot where the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery camped in spring 1806, on their way home from their Pacific Coast odyssey.
Whether you're taking a quick stop or a longer retreat, you will leave refreshed and ready to beat the heat once again.
PARK FEATURES
Lewis and Clark Trail State Park is a 36-acre camping park with 1,333 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Touchet River.
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides a kitchen shelter with electricity reservable by calling the park office at (509) 337-6457. The park offers 50 unsheltered picnic tables available first come, first served.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
0.8 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Fishing (freshwater)
Swimming
Tubing
Wading
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Ball field
Bird watching
Metal detecting
Wildlife viewing
Interpretive opportunities The park provides an interpretive display with information on Lewis and Clark and original area homesteaders. A large reader board on Lewis and Clark can be found in the day-use area
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The park has 24 standard campsites, which can fit RVs, including motor homes. They are available April 1 - October 31, and are reservable from May 15-September 15.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
Two teepees are available on a first-come, first-served basis through Oct. 31. The teepees are 16 feet in diameter with a rubber mat ground cover and can sleep up to eight people each. No cooking or flames allowed inside the teepees. Pets are allowed inside the teepees but must be on leash at the site.