Lewis and Clark State Park is a public recreation area located six miles (9.7 km) northeast of Winlock and immediately south of Mary's Corner in Lewis County, Washington. Named after the explorers Lewis and Clark, despite the expedition not venturing in the area during their travels, the state park occupies one of the last major stands of old-growth forest in the state. When the park opened in the 1920s it was visited by over 10,000 people per year.[2]
| Lewis and Clark State Park | |
|---|---|
;_Old_Growth_(1649679326).jpg) Old growth in Lewis and Clark | |
  Location in the state of Washington  Lewis and Clark State Park (Washington) (the United States) | |
| Location | Lewis, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°31′29″N 122°48′55″W / 46.52472°N 122.81528°W[1] |
| Area | 616 acres (249 ha) |
| Elevation | 453 ft (138 m)[1] |
| Established | 1922 |
| Named for | Meriwether Lewis and William Clark |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Lewis and Clark State Park |
History
editLewis and Clark State Park was dedicated on September 23, 1922 during a ceremony that included Washington state governor Louis F. Hart. At the time considered the largest state park in Washington, the grounds contained the largest tract of old-growth forest in a Washington state park. Under a resolution passed by the state legislature in 1921, the park is required to remain as a natural wooded area.[3]
Amenities and features
editThe park's 616 acres (249 ha) include camping areas and trails for hiking and horseback riding. Trails within the parcel border on a zone showing the forest rebounding from damage due to the Columbus Day Storm of 1962.[2] Evidence of the efforts by the Civilian Conservation Corps to improve the park in the 1930s can be found in the park's rustic shelters and restroom facilities.[2][4]
Remnants of the Cowlitz Trail are visible in the park, noted by deep grooves caused by wagons and settlers traveling the route.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Lewis and Clark State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b c Vander Stoep, Isabel (January 3, 2022). "Rangers Lead 'First Day Hike' at Lewis and Clark State Park to Welcome 2022". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Everything Ready For The Park Dedication Saturday". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. September 22, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ "Lewis and Clark State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ McDonald, Julie (July 22, 2024). "Could tourists flock to Lewis County to learn of Washington's history?". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
External links
edit
- Lewis and Clark State Park Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lewis and Clark State Park Map Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
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