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Lewis & Clark
1 Lewis & Clark Trail
Hartford , IL 62048
618/251-5811
Open:
Sep-May: Wed-Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Memorial-Labor Day: Mon-Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
NOTE ANDROID USERS ONLY: The donation payment processing function in the Illinois History mobile application for Android devices is currently down. Donations are still being processed through the web site at https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/experience/sites.html.We apologize for the inconvenience.
Teachers in Illinois schools (grades prekindergarten through 12) can apply for grant funds to visit this site on a field trip with their students. Click here for the details.
Watch the introductory video below.
The Lewis & Clark site commemorates Camp Dubois, the 1803-1804 winter camp of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It was at the camp on Wood River that members of the Corps of Discovery prepared their expedition to the Pacific Ocean.
The site’s main feature is interpretive center that contains a large exhibition gallery, a theatre, and a gift shop. The 14,000 square-foot exhibition area contains six galleries that outline the background and history of the Lewis and Clark expedition from its conception to its meaning for today’s America. Perhaps the most interesting feature is a full-scale replica of the keelboat used by the Corps of Discovery to ascend the Missouri River. One side is cut away to show the interior space and how the vessel was carefully loaded with provisions for the journey. The Convergence Theater provides a 12-minute video orientation presentation that uses high-impact visuals and surround sound to tell the story of Camp River Dubois and the preparations for the expedition. The Store of Discovery is a gift shop whose proceeds benefit site programs.
A “reconstruction” of the winter camp is located on the grounds near the visitor center. Its design reflects 1803 U.S. Army regulations for the construction of military posts. A nearby memorial structure overlooks the modern meeting point of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The memorial at the Mississippi-Missouri rivers convergence site consists of a circular colonnade composed of eleven columns. On each column, representing one of the present-day states crossed by the expedition, a plaque outlines activities of the Corps of Discovery in that state.
Visitors can view the exhibition galleries, video presentation, “reconstructed” camp, and rivers convergence overlook at their leisure. The visitor center is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Accessibility Information
The following are available for the visitor to the site:
Parking - Asphalt; four accessible parking spaces; 100 feet to the sidewalk with a ramp; 150 feet to front door.
There are concrete sidewalks at the site.
There are two ramps in the exhibit area, one in the theater and one in the lower gallery to the upper gallery.
The museum has a push button opener.
Wheelchair Accessible Trails - Madison County Trail Network, extends from St. Louis to Grafton, IL
The site has accessible restrooms.
Visitor Center - Paved; Ramps; Push button doors; Water fountains during non COVID time are accessible; Benches; Tactile but no Braille Exhibits; Closed Captioning at one time was available. AV system is being updated and will include this again.
There is a concrete path to the replica fort, door ways are not wide enough to allow for wheelchairs into cabins. There is one set of stairs to the Settlers Cabin; Tour is generally 45 minutes.
The site hosts a number of special events. For more information visit: www.campdubois.com
