The Lewis and Clark Odyssey

It's an exciting time to follow in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery along the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The tour begins east of Pendleton at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. Here the story is told from the Native American perspective of the history of this land and the earliest inhabitants. As you follow the Columbia River Gorge west into The Dalles, you may visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center for an overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Enjoy the windsurfers and waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area as you travel I-84 or the Historic Columbia River Highway/All American Road to Portland. Along Hwy. 30, the river widens as it meets the Pacific in Astoria, the first American settlement west of the Rockies. A fitting climax for this journey is a visit to the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, an exact replica of Lewis and Clark's winter outpost of 1805-06.

• Distance:  310 miles, 4 days
• Starting Point:  Pendleton, Eastern Oregon

• Minimum Driving Time: 
• Best Time to Drive:  Summer

1. Extend this trip

Head south on Hwy. 101 to Seaside ("The End of the Lewis & Clark Trail") and return via Hwy. 26, which runs from Cannon Beach through Portland and beyond the slopes of Mt. Hood. This extends the trip to 6 days and 600 miles.