Fort Clatsop, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, Oregon

Fort Clatsop, near present day Astoria, Oregon, was the winter encampment for Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery from December 1805 - March 1806. Lewis and Clark had built this fort near the Pacific coast after completing the first overland journey across the North American continent. Today the reconstructed fort is a part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

I visited Fort Clatsop in August, 1991, with my son, Christopher. At that time it was called the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, before the creation of the more encompassing Historical Park. During our visit we enjoyed seeing the interpretative center which has exhibits which recount the story of the Corps of Discovery, the building of the fort, encounters with Native Americans, etc. There is also an orientation film, ranger-led programs and hiking trails.

The reconstructed log fort and buildings as would have been built and used during the winter encampment were particularly interesting. The original Fort Clatsop rotted away by the mid-1800s. The average annual rainfall in the area is about 70" so untreated, unmaintained wood rots quickly. Fort Clatsop is open every day of the year except December 25th. Costumed programs are scheduled during the summer months, beginning mid-june and ending Labor Day weekend.