Lewis and Clark State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park, located in Onawa, Iowa, marks the site where the Corps of Discovery stopped on August 10, 1804. The park features a full size floating replica of the keelboat “Discovery” used by the Lewis and Clark expedition. The park also features camping and has both restrooms and showers.

Keelboating around the bend

The park sits on Blue Lake, an oxbow lake, and this former bend of the Missouri River, cut off by the Big Muddy's shifts over the years, was the original route traveled by Lewis and Clark. In the lake are the replica keelboats and pirogues. The full size replica of “Discovery”, built in 1985 by local boatwright Butch Bouvier, is 55 feet long.

Stay for a while

Camping is popular here, as about 25,000 campers make use of the facilities annually. There is a lodge that is often reserved for meetings and family reunions, as well as a large picnic shelter for inclement weather. The camping sites all feature electrical hook-ups, and there are numerous picnic areas with fire pits.

Stay busy indoors or out

Lewis and Clark State Park features a number of trails for hiking and skiing. Swimming and fishing at Blue Lake are also popular activities. Nearby attractions include the Blackbird Bend Speedway for fans of automobile racing and the Casino Omaha, a 30,000 square foot facility with slots and table games.

Lewis and Clark State Park provides a great place to take the family for a camping weekend and is perfect for those who enjoy the great outdoors, American history or just relaxing in nature.