Lewis and Clark State Park is a 621-acre camping park situated in one of the last major stands of old-growth forest in the state. Coniferous trees, streams, wetlands, dense vegetation and wet prairie comprise the park environment.

Marine Park: No

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Closed to day use Oct. 1, reopens April. 1.

The park is open year round for camping. Some campsites are closed in winter.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Lewis and Clark State Park, which is actually separate from the Lewis and Clark Trail, began as a "public camp" for automobile tourists in 1922. Two years later, more than 10,000 people visited the park annually.

The old north spur of the Oregon Trail, which extended from the Cowlitz River landing to the city of Tumwater, passed directly through the present park site. When pioneers used this road, ramps had to be built over some of the downed logs (six to nine feet in diameter), since they had no saws capable of cutting the giants.

The park has a unique stand of old-growth forest, primarily Douglas fir and red cedar. It is one of the last old-growth forest stands remaining along Hwy. 99. Two-thirds of the old-growth trees were blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (8.5 million board feet of the original 13.5 million). The park was closed for three years to make repairs and plant trees.

Located nearby, the John R. Jackson House was the first American pioneer home built north of the Columbia River. It was constructed in 1845 by the man for whom it is named. The original house has deteriorated completely. The current log cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The Jackson family has donated some original pioneer artifacts, which are on display at the cabin.

Caverns were formed under the park and surrounding area by cooling lava from Mount Rainier. These caverns are presently being used for the storage of natural gas.

Lewis and Clark Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is a reservable rental facility for groups of up to 50 people. The ELC includes a lodge with wood stove and a kitchen equipped with plates and cooking utensils. The lodge sleeps 24, and there is room for up to 10 RVs (no hookups) or several tents in a large open area adjacent to the lodge. Prices vary depending on the size of the group. For information or reservations, call the ELC office at (360) 902-8600.

There is a self-guided half-mile interpretive trail in the park, featuring information on the park's old growth forest.

Jackson House tours are available year-round by appointment. Call (360) 864-2643.