News Release Date: May 12, 2020
Contact: Ashley Danielson
Omaha, Neb.- An expedition is only as successful as its preparation. On May 12, 2019, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was extended to include eastern sites that played vital roles in the planning and supply procurement for the expedition. With a new historical trail-head at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Trail now winds 4,900 miles to St. Louis, Missouri, along the Missouri River to the Great Plains, across the Rockies and on to the Pacific Ocean. This week, we celebrate the first anniversary of this 1,200-mile extension.
The trail extension has increased opportunities for interpretation and education. The extension also highlights recreational opportunities along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and engages partners and stakeholders in trail management and related activities.
National Park Service staff continues to work with partners and communities to integrate the new trail extension with the existing trail and continue to build strong state and local partnerships. Much progress has been made in the last year to incorporate these new sections in the larger national historic trail.