Lewis & Clark Trail

Lewis & Clark Trail Hartford, IL to Seaside, OR 8 Map Set GPX Data | Overview | Buy | Mobile App
1. Hartford, IL to Council Bluffs, IA Detail
2. Council Bluffs, IA to Pierre, SD Detail
3. Pierre, SD to Dickinson, ND Detail
4. Dickinson, ND to Great Falls, MT Detail
5. Great Falls, MT to Missoula, MT Detail
6. Missoula, MT to Clarkston, WA Detail
7. Clarkston, WA to Seaside, OR Detail
8. Three Forks, MT to Glendive, MT Detail

Following in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery.

The Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail was created to celebrate the anniversary of the Corps of Discovery’s 1804-1806 historic journey and offers cyclists the opportunity to follow the path of the intrepid explorers Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It includes seven map sections detailing the 1804-1805 westbound trip, roughly following the Missouri and Columbia rivers, and one map section showing Clark’s 1806 eastbound return along the Yellowstone River in Montana.

The main route of the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail is made up of paved roads, bike paths, and unpaved rail-trails, with occasional short sections of gravel roads. Conditions vary from rural to urban.

Lewis and Clark’s expedition traveled more often by boat via rivers than by land and this route follows the rivers as closely as possible. Occasional rough roads, narrow to nonexistent shoulders, and sparse services make this one of our more challenging routes. Keeping this in mind, we recommend that you equip yourself with a wide-tired touring bicycle. Also, you’ll want to include a water filter on your packing list, as many of the campgrounds available are primitive and do not have potable water sources. If you use motels, plan ahead and be ready to ride some long days, perhaps as much as 100 miles. Distances between services in some areas can be substantial, so prior planning of your daily mileage is important.

Options and alternates offer much variety. The eight map sections show 4,500 mapped miles. Traveling the most historically correct (main) westbound route over Lemhi Pass, you will ride 3,132 miles to reach the Pacific Ocean. In total, there are 174 miles of unpaved rail-trails and 177.7 miles of gravel, 24.5 of which are unavoidable if you stay on the main route. Some options allow you to avoid gravel sections or get closer proximity to the Missouri River, whereas others offer historical side trips and rarely seen vistas like the view from Lewis and Clark Pass.

You will have many opportunities to pause and learn about the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at interpretive centers and museums that are along the route, in the smallest towns and largest cities. Probably the most impressive of these is the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana. In addition to Lewis and Clark-themed points of interest, the route also passes through five Indian reservations and features Native American and regional museums.

Plan on around two and a half months (give or take) for the most direct routing. Some will traverse the route quicker, but this leaves less time for sightseeing. This route can be ridden from May through September. Note that snow can occur at any time in the Rocky Mountains, and the highest pass on the route is over 7,300 feet. Although the prevailing weather patterns are from west to east, local wind patterns are more dependent on the passing pressure systems and local terrain, so you can expect your fair share of tailwinds and headwinds, regardless of which direction you ride the route.

The route begins at the impressive Lewis and Clark State Memorial Park visitor center outside Hartford, Illinois. The center is near the mouth of the Wood River, on the opposite side of the Mississippi from where the Missouri feeds into it. It was at the mouth of the Wood where the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of late 1803 and early 1804, making final preparations for a spring departure up the Missouri. After crossing the Mississippi River into Missouri, the route joins the Katy Trail — a converted rail bed. With its smooth surface of crushed limestone, the Katy traverses the floodplain of the Missouri, often running immediately beside the river and just above the water level. You can shorten the distance on the Katy by crossing the Missouri and using the Jefferson City Option. Much of the Missouri countryside that was wild frontier when Lewis and Clark passed through has been transformed into densely settled urban and suburban pockets. The Missouri River corridor is a heavily used recreational and industrial strip linking the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas. Kansas’s short contribution to the route, by comparison, is more rural, winding amidst rolling grain fields. At Brownville, Nebraska, you can ride the Steamboat Trace or choose the Hamburg Option. This 34-mile option is paved, with the exception of a 4.7-mile gravel stretch. Riding conditions in southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa range from rural to urban, the latter particularly around Omaha-Council Bluffs.

Between Council Bluffs and Sioux City, the riding tends to be either table-flat or very hilly, depending on whether you’re in the Missouri River floodplain or in the flanking Loess Hills. Roads around both of these Iowa cities can be very busy, so avoid riding them during the morning and afternoon commuting hours. West of Yankton, South Dakota, recreational vehicle traffic can be heavy, as it can be around any of the lake or dam access areas (Fort Randall, Chamberlain, Fort Thompson, etc.). Near Bonesteel, you will have the opportunity to ride closer to the river on the Whetstone Bay Option. This option is 25.5 miles in length, with 14.5 miles on a hard-packed dirt and gravel road with no services other than a campground. State Highway 1806 out of Fort Thompson carries less traffic, while dishing up extreme climbs and dramatic vistas. The actual Lewis and Clark Trail through this area — the Missouri River, that is — is less a river than a string of huge reservoirs, peppered with isolated communities and seasonal services. This trend continues into North Dakota and eastern Montana. From Fort Thompson, there are two ways into Pierre, South Dakota, continuing on the main route or following the Lake Sharpe Option. This 61-mile option, on the north side of the Missouri River, goes through the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

North of Pierre, you will ride through high, rolling bluff country that is typically some distance away from the river corridor but which occasionally proffers amazing views of the big body of water below. The route through the capital city of Bismarck, North Dakota, has two options: one urban through the heart of the city where services are located and the other on bike paths closer to the river. From Bismarck, the route heads north to a point near Stanton, then goes west and south to follow the I-94 corridor, alternating between the freeway and parallel county roads. This is a change from our original routing due to oil and gas development in the Bakken Oil Shale Field in western North Dakota and northeastern Montana. The route was changed in 2012 to avoid the area around Williston, North Dakota, because many roads with minimal to no shoulders now have high levels of truck traffic, and are felt to be unsafe for bicyclists. For further information read our blog post on the issue. You will miss some of the “Lewis & Clark experience” but reality intrudes, 200+ years later. It will be difficult to get motel rooms in this region, especially in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Initially in Montana — especially if you are bucking headwinds — the riding might be characterized as “put your head down and grin and bear it” conditions. You won’t actually lay eyes on the Missouri River for some 350 miles. But that is not to say that you will not experience some the most spectacular mountain-and-plains vistas in North America. At Circle, after turning west onto State Highway 200, the wind will be a concern; it can affect your steering and make it hard, or even impossible, to hear cars approaching from the rear. A rear-view mirror, always a good idea, is strongly suggested in windy areas such as these. If you want to go there, the 60.7-mile Fort Peck Spur takes you to the town of Fort Peck and the impressive Fort Peck Dam, one of the largest hydraulic earth-filled dams in the world. From Lewistown to Fort Benton, you’ll ride through the Montana of imagination, an idyllic scene that Charlie Russell, “America’s cowboy artist,” couldn’t have bettered.

South of Great Falls, you will finally start getting into the canyons and mountains Montana is known for. A dividend of the terrific mountain scenery is that a large share of the lands are federally owned, so campgrounds become much more plentiful than they’ve been up to this point. At Three Forks, where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers merge, you’ll leave the Missouri River behind for good. Three miles south of Dillon, you will again be faced with choosing between two options, both of which include crossing the Continental Divide. Staying on Lewis and Clark’s 1804 westbound route takes you over Lemhi Pass, which includes 24.5 miles of gravel while the 87.2-mile paved Big Hole Option represents Clark’s 1806 eastbound journey. The Big Hole Option passes the Big Hole National Battlefield and Visitor Center that tells the tale of the Nez Perce and their flight to freedom. On this option, you will also encounter Clark’s 1806 eastbound route over Gibbon’s Pass.

The Bitterroot Valley, in western Montana, has become heavily populated in recent years. Traffic increases dramatically as you follow secondary roads and a separated bike path that parallels U.S. Highway 93. At Traveler’s Rest — a.k.a. the town of Lolo — the route heads north into Missoula. Here you can find several bike shops and visit the headquarters of Adventure Cycling Association. Although the site of Missoula was not encountered by Lewis and Clark during the expedition’s westbound travels, on the return trip east, the nine-man contingent led by Capt. Lewis passed the location of this future city.

Leaving Montana, the route follows U.S. Highway 12 southwest from Lolo to Powell, Idaho, and you’ll be roughly tracing the actual route of Lewis and Clark. The main route continues west on its twisting way from Powell through the corridor of the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River. The Lochsa joins forces with the Selway River at Lowell, where the two transform into the Middle Fork of the Clearwater. Lewis and Clark didn’t use this river corridor and instead stayed on the mountain ridges to the north along an existing Indian trail.

Our 138.7-mile Lolo Trail Option climbs high up along ridge lines to access the rough roller coaster of a dirt road known as the Lolo Motorway or the High Road. Due to the rugged, mountainous terrain and scarcity of services and water, only fit, experienced mountain bikers should attempt this option.

At Kamiah (KAM-ee-eye), the main route continues to use U.S. Highway 12. While the Idaho Transportation Department and local cyclists do not recommend riding between Kamiah and Lewiston, we use it for those Lewis and Clark afficionados who want to follow the Expedition’s route as closely as possible. Over the course of the 51 miles between Kamiah and Arrow Bridge there are about 2 miles without shoulders. Please practice defensive riding techniques, ride single file and early in the day, and it’s best to ride this on a weekend. Westbound riders will experience stretches where the roadway is up against concrete barriers with the river on the other side, so there’s no place to bail out. If you are uncomfortable with this type of riding please use the 87.5-mile Palouse Prairie Alternate.

The main route is 19 miles shorter than the Palouse Prairie Alternate. Local cyclists recommended this routing, up and over the Camas and Nezperce prairies, to get to Lewiston and Clarkston and avoid the shoulderless portions of U.S. Highway 12. State Highway 162 and State Highway 7 have little traffic, and U.S. Highway 95 has wide shoulders.

West of Clarkston, where the Snake River bends northwest, you’ll leave Lewis and Clark’s westbound route and not join it again until you reach the Columbia River near Walla Walla, Washington. Much of the bicycle route between these two cities, however, does follow the approximate overland route taken by the Corps in early May 1806. Your windy — and potentially very hot — ride through the Columbia River Gorge and on to the coast will be a study in contrasts: from stretches of traffic-clogged I-84 to a couple of closed-to-cars sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway, now a beautiful state trail, and from the bustle of metropolitan Portland to small, serene communities that barely earn a dot on the map. The main route includes riding on the shoulders of I-84 for 6 miles. This interstate has high levels of traffic, so that’s why an alternate is offered. Via the Washington Option through the gorge, you’ll find State Highway 14 has non-existent to variable shoulder widths, frequent truck traffic, and few services. Two series of tunnels have buttons to activate “Bikes in Tunnel” lights. This option is 3.6 miles shorter and rejoins the main route in Portland.

U.S. Highway 30, unfortunately, is a busy way to end the trip, but there’s a good reason all of those motorists are heading west: to get out to that beautiful coastline. Several short detours off the highway are included in the route wherever possible. The route passes Fort Clatsop Interpretive Center in the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park, the Corps’ 1805-1806 winter quarters, and continues on to Seaside, where the Corps processed seawater into salt for their return journey. From Astoria, the 19.3-mile Cape Disappointment Spur crosses the Columbia River into Washington and heads west to Cape Disappointment State Park.

In the spring of 1806, the Corps began their return journey to St. Louis. To cover more area and gather more information, they divided into two parties at Traveler’s Rest in Lolo, Montana. Capt. Lewis and nine men returned to the great falls of the Missouri via the Blackfoot River and the Sun River, crossing the Continental Divide at what would later be called Lewis and Clark Pass. This part of the journey is mapped in the 188-mile Blackfoot Option east of Missoula on map section 6. It uses two-lane highways that parallel the Blackfoot and Sun rivers. A 13-mile gravel spur along Alice Creek is shown for those who want to ride/hike up to Lewis and Clark Pass to view what Lewis and his men saw. This option ends in Great Falls, Montana.

Capt. Clark and the rest of the expedition returned to Camp Fortunate (Clark Canyon Reservoir) and then to the Missouri-Yellowstone confluence. This 417-mile journey is reflected in map section 8 beginning in Three Forks, Montana. In general, the route stays on Interstate 90 and the frontage roads that parallel it. Services can be few and far between the farther east the route goes. You’ll have a gentle climb over Bozeman Pass to get into the Yellowstone River drainage. The route is slightly rolling with great views of the Yellowstone River. Between Bozeman and Glendive the route occasionally uses the interstate when there is no frontage road. Use caution when entering and exiting the ramps, as most of them have cattle guards. The interstate does have a wide shoulder and carries light traffic as far as interstates go, but use caution as the traffic does travel at high speed. Pompey’s Pillar, the site where you can see William Clark’s signature, is 7.7 miles northeast of Worden, and a half mile off the route.

Part of a Larger Effort

In response to all of the interest and activity in the years leading up to the bicentennial celebration, the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial was formed. Working hand in hand with federal and state agencies, Indian tribes, and other groups and individuals, the council coordinated dozens of partners, programs, and events commemorating the bicentennial. The staff, board of directors, and members of Adventure Cycling are proud that their organization had a part to play in that greater effort. The council recognized the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail map series as part of the nationwide celebration.

Portions of the above text are excerpted from the book “Bicycling the Lewis and Clark Trail,” published in spring 2003 by Globe Pequot Press in cooperation with Adventure Cycling Association.

Major funding for the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail has been provided by REI. Sections of this route have been sponsored by Sierra Club and Mr. James C. Becker, Vancouver, Washington.

Photo by Chuck Haney

The main route of the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail is made up of paved roads, bike paths, and unpaved rail-trails, with occasional short sections of gravel roads. Conditions vary from rural to urban and include windy stretches lacking in shoulders.

Conditions will vary from the table-flat floodplains to hilly stretches. Once you reach eastern Montana headwinds will become a factor across much of the state until you reach the west and mountains to cross the Continental Divide.

Section 8 follows Interstate 90 and the frontage roads that parallel it. You’ll have a gentle climb over Bozeman Pass to get into the Yellowstone River drainage. The route is slightly rolling with great views of the Yellowstone River. Use caution when entering and exiting the ramps, as most of them have cattle guards. The interstate does have a wide shoulder and carries light traffic as far as interstates go, but use caution as the traffic does travel at high speed.

Lewis & Clark Trail - Main Route
Section Distance Elevation Total Climb Avg. Climb/mile
Total 3547.3 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:7,375 ft.
136,220 ft. west bound
134,800 ft. east bound
38 ft. per mi. west bound
38 ft. per mi. east bound
1 554.5 miles Minimum: 420 ft.
Maximum:1,175 ft.
18,435 ft. west bound
18,125 ft. east bound
33 ft. per mi. west bound
33 ft. per mi. east bound
2 488.5 miles Minimum: 980 ft.
Maximum:2220 ft.
14,860 ft. west bound
14,395 ft. east bound
30 ft. per mi. west bound
29 ft. per mi. east bound
3 409.5 miles Minimum: 1,435 ft.
Maximum:2,570 ft.
18,245 ft. west bound
17,260 ft. east bound
45 ft. per mi. west bound
42 ft. per mi. east bound
4 497.1 miles Minimum: 2,045 ft.
Maximum:4,725 ft.
23,480 ft. west bound
22,575 ft. east bound
47 ft. per mi. west bound
45 ft. per mi. east bound
5 470.1 miles Minimum: 3,120 ft.
Maximum:7,375 ft.
18,685 ft. west bound
18,655 ft. east bound
40 ft. per mi. west bound
40 ft. per mi. east bound
6 222.5 miles Minimum: 720 ft.
Maximum:5,235 ft.
7,070 ft. west bound
9,760 ft. east bound
32 ft. per mi. west bound
44 ft. per mi. east bound
7 484.4 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:2,785 ft.
22,030 ft. west bound
22,950 ft. east bound
45 ft. per mi. west bound
47 ft. per mi. east bound
8 420.7 miles Minimum: 2,060 ft.
Maximum:5,865 ft.
13,415 ft. west bound
11,080 ft. east bound
32 ft. per mi. west bound
26 ft. per mi. east bound
Lewis & Clark Trail Alternates
Name Section Distance Total Climb Avg. Climb/mile
Jefferson City Option 1 54.6 miles 3,355 ft. west bound
3,305 ft. east bound
61 ft. per mi. west bound
61 ft. per mi. east bound
Hamburg Option 1 43.0 miles 750 ft. west bound
745 ft. east bound
17 ft. per mi. west bound
17 ft. per mi. east bound
Whetstone Bay Option 2 25.5 miles 1,680 ft. west bound
1,595 ft. east bound
66 ft. per mi. west bound
63 ft. per mi. east bound
Lake Sharpe Option 2 61.0 miles 1,840 ft. west bound
1,850 ft. east bound
30 ft. per mi. west bound
30 ft. per mi. east bound
I-94 Cut 3 50 miles 2,430 ft. west bound
1,955 ft. east bound
49 ft. per mi. west bound
39 ft. per mi. east bound
River Trail Option 3 4 miles 40 ft. west bound
45 ft. east bound
10 ft. per mi. west bound
11 ft. per mi. east bound
Fort Peck Spur 4 60.7 miles 3,180 ft. north bound
3455 ft. south bound
52 ft. per mi. north bound
57 ft. per mi. south bound
Silver City Alternate 5 21.7 miles 575 ft. west bound
855 ft. east bound
26 ft. per mi. west bound
39 ft. per mi. east bound
Gravel Alternate 5 16.3 miles 950 ft. west bound
845 ft. east bound
58 ft. per mi. west bound
52 ft. per mi. east bound
Shoup Spur 5 18.2 miles 800 ft. west bound
1040 ft. east bound
44 ft. per mi. west bound
57 ft. per mi. east bound
Old Darby Alternate 5 12.9 miles 360 ft. east bound
600 ft. west bound
28 ft. per mi. east bound
47 ft. per mi. west bound
Big Hole Option 5 87.2 miles 5,455 ft. north bound
3,705 ft. north bound
63 ft. per mi. north bound
42 ft. per mi. north bound
Gibbons Pass Alternate 5 17.7 miles 670 ft. west bound
2470 ft. east bound
38 ft. per mi. west bound
140 ft. per mi. east bound
(Missoula) Alternate 5 5.4 miles 135 ft. west bound
75 ft. east bound
25 ft. per mi. west bound
14 ft. per mi. east bound
Blackfoot Option 6 188.0 miles 8,310 ft. east bound
8,290 ft. west bound
44 ft. per mi. east bound
44 ft. per mi. west bound
Lolo Trail 6 138.7 miles 17,040 ft. west bound
21,270 ft. east bound
123 ft. per mi. west bound
153 ft. per mi. east bound
Alice Creek Spur 6 13.0 miles 1,770 ft. north bound
245 ft. south bound
136 ft. per mi. north bound
19 ft. per mi. south bound
Palouse Prairie Alternate 6 87.5 miles 6,025 ft. west bound
6,600 ft. east bound
69 ft. per mi. west bound
75 ft. per mi. east bound
Alternate 6 5.4 miles 75 ft. west bound
135 ft. east bound
14 ft. per mi. west bound
25 ft. per mi. east bound
Washington Option 84.1 miles 4,720 ft. west bound
5,175 ft. east bound
56 ft. per mi. west bound
62 ft. per mi. east bound
Cape Disappointment Spur 7 19.3 miles 480 ft. west bound
510 ft. east bound
26 ft. per mi. west bound
26 ft. per mi. east bound

Occasional rough roads, narrow to nonexistent shoulders, and sparse services make this one of our more challenging routes. Keeping this in mind, we recommend that you equip yourself with a wide-tired touring bicycle. Also, you’ll want to include a water filter on your packing list, as many of the campgrounds available are primitive and do not have potable water sources. If you use motels, plan ahead and be ready to ride some long days, perhaps as much as 100 miles. Distances between services in some areas can be substantial, so prior planning of your daily mileage is important.

Plan on around two and a half months (give or take) for the most direct routing. Some will traverse the route quicker, but this leaves less time for sightseeing.

This route can be ridden from May through September. Note that snow can occur at any time in the Rocky Mountains, and the highest pass on the route is over 7,300 feet. Although the prevailing weather patterns are from west to east, local wind patterns are more dependent on the passing pressure systems and local terrain, so you can expect your fair share of tailwinds and headwinds regardless of which direction you ride the route.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$40/night. The maps often list churches that have opened their doors to cyclists, but they aren’t all that closely spaced. If you’re friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you “pack it in, pack it out.” Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.

Route Highlights

Lewis & Clark Trail Highlights

  • Gateway Arch – Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Section 1
  • Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Section 1
  • Western Historic Trails Center, Section 1
  • Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum, Section 2
  • Spirit Mound, Section 2
  • Sakakawea Monument, Section 3
  • Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Section 3
  • Fort Mandan, Section 3
  • Knife River Villages National Historic Site, Section 3
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Section 4
  • Fort Peck Spur, Section 4
  • Fort Benton, Section 4
  • Great Falls, Sections 4, 5 and 6
  • Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, Great Falls, Montana, Sections 4 and 5
  • Tower Rock State Park, Section 5
  • Gates of the Mountains, Section 5
  • Travelers’ Rest State Park, Section 5
  • Lewis and Clark Pass, Blackfoot Option, Alice Creek Spur, Section 6
  • Hells Gate State Park, Hells Gate Option, Section 6
  • Lewis & Clark Trail State Park, Section 7
  • Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Section 7
  • Hat Rock State Park, Section 7
  • Columbia River Gorge, Section 7
  • Beacon Rock State Park, Washington Option, Section 7
  • Multnomah Falls, Section 7
  • Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Section 7
  • Cape Disappointment Spur, Section 7
  • Salt Works, Section 7
  • Three Forks, Section 8
  • Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark, Section 8

More Route Resources


RIDING CONDITIONS

On this section, you will encounter a wide variety of riding conditions from urban to rural while using state highways, county roads and separate bike paths. Many roads will have wide shoulders while others will have none.

Between Hartford and Grafton, IL, the route uses mostly separate bike paths, including the Sam Vadalabene Trail, and road traffic is gen­er­ally fast. The rural area between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers is hilly with blind curves. The narrow roads have no shoulders, and you’ll be riding with heavy and fast commuter traffic during week­days.

From St. Charles westward, the route uses 151 miles of the Katy Trail. This abandoned railroad bed is at river grade and is composed of crushed lime­stone. Depending on the year, keep in mind that flooding of the Katy Trail and adjacent road­ways is possible during late spring/early summer. The cities of Washington and Hermann across the Missouri River are both accessed by new bridges with dedicated pedestrian and bicycle paths.

The Jefferson City Option (54.6 miles) gives you the choice of riding on pavement. There is a bi­cy­cle-pedestrian walkway on the east side of the bridge into Jef­fer­son City. It is used for both directions.

From Lexington through Platte City, the route circles north to avoid Kansas City, and the coun­tryside becomes increasingly urban. The traffic can be heavy and there is little to no shoulder on most roads. This area can be quite hilly as well.

The bridge into Atchison, KS, has 4 lanes and wide shoulders. The route then follows rural roads among rolling grain fields. North of Troy there is very little traffic and there are great views of the Missouri River to the east, with tree-covered bluffs to the west.

The roads in Nebraska generally have good sur­fac­es with little to no shoulder. The route uses 20 miles of the Steamboat Trace north of Brown­ville. Sections of the trail may be closed September-December due to hunting season. The crushed limestone surface is not as smooth as the Katy Trail. At the trail’s end there is a 0.6-mile stretch of gravel road. The bridge at Nebraska City has shoulders. If it is raining, or has rained, the roads and trails can turn muddy and make for very difficult riding.

The Hamburg Option (43 miles) also has a 4.7-mile stretch of dirt road that is virtually unrideable in rainy conditions. The bridge crossing the river east of Brownville is high with no shoul­ders and carries moderate truck traffic.

Riding into Iowa, the route parallels I-29 on a two-lane road with no shoulder and light traffic. A 3.8-mile portion between Percival and Bartlett is gravel. As you get closer to Council Bluffs the riding becomes considerably more urban.

CLIMATE

This section of the route roughly follows the Missouri River across the state of Missouri from the eastern border with Illinois and along the borders with Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. The continental climate of this area of the country creates summers that are generally hot and humid while spring and fall are mild with moderate tem­peratures. Thun­der­storms are frequent from April through July and occasionally are ac­com­pa­nied by very heavy rains. Tornadoes are a familiar event, most common be­tween March and June.

Updated: Sep 16, 2019


RIDING CONDITIONS

In general, this route has more on-route gravel than our other road routes. Due to this factor, it is recommended you equip your bicycle with wider than standard road bike tires. Almost without exception, roads are two-lane with no shoulders and surfaces average good to fair condition. This lack of shoulders and the frequent grass and/or gravel verges require good defensive cycling skills.

Be aware of local farm and commuting traffic as you enter the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Between Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa, the route parallels I-29 which carries the through traffic. You will want to avoid riding during commuting hours at all costs throughout urban Sioux City.

West of Vermillion, South Dakota, the route has two miles of hard-packed dirt and gravel road. There are multiple gravel access roads to the Missouri River along this section. From Yankton westward, on the state highways, recreational and truck traffic increases. Be aware of boat trailers as well as truck sideview mirrors.

Southwest of Springfield, Niobara is a recommended side trip and can be accessed in one of two ways: 8.5 mi. via all paved roads or 13.7 mi. via The Bottom Rd. which is 6.7 mi. of hard compacted dirt and gravel. Here in South Dakota the Missouri River has been dammed and becomes a string of huge lakes characterized by isolated communities and seasonal services. Ft. Randall Dam is often subjected to high winds. An alternative route is to use the road past the Randall Creek Recreation Area east of the dam to avoid being exposed to the wind.

Just west of Bonesteel, the 25.5-mile Whetstone Bay Option takes you very close to the river. There are no services other than a campground and 14.5 miles of this option are on hard-packed dirt and gravel.

At Fort Thompson you have the choice of riding on either side of the Missouri River into Pierre. Staying on the west side, or south side of the river takes you through the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation and the Fort Pierre National Grassland. West of the town of Lower Brule you’ll find only two primitive campgrounds. The road has steep climbs/descents and dramatic vistas of the river far below. You won’t see many cars here.

To ride the east, or north side of the river, choose the 61-mile Lake Sharpe Option which goes through the Crow Creek Soiux Indian Reservation. Services are also sparse on this option. Traffic is moderate to low with open sight lines and rolling terrain. Pierre is the capital of South Dakota and a major city in the state. Avoid riding during morning and evening rush hours. Traffic will also include recreational and agricultural vehicles.

CLIMATE

This section of the route travels from western Iowa to eastern South Dakota following the Missouri River. The warmest months of the year are predominated by warm, moist air flow from the Gulf Stream in the south. Occasionally, a hot, dry air mass will come in from the deserts of the southwest leading to unusually high temperatures. On average, this area experiences 30 to 40 thunderstorms from late spring to early autumn. These storms are sometimes accompanied by high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes. Damaging hailstorms are frequent through mid-summer. As the route shifts into South Dakota, the wind increases across the open prairie lands. It is most frequently from the south and southeast during the summer.

Updated: Sep 16, 2019


RIDING CONDITIONS

In general, this route has more on-route gravel than our other road routes. Due to this factor, it is recommended that you equip your bicycle with wider than standard road bike tires. Almost without ex­cep­tion, roads are two-lane with no shoulder and surfaces average good to fair condition. This lack of shoulders and the frequent grass and/or gravel verges require good defensive cycling skills. Beware of “texas tacks,” a variety of thorns sharp enough to cause flat tires, along roadway edges and gravel shoulders.

Recent oil and gas de­vel­op­ment in the Bakken Oil Shale Field of western North Dakota and north­eastern Montana prompt­ed a change in routing in 2012 to avoid the area around Will­is­ton, North Dakota. Because many roads with minimal to no shoul­ders now have high lev­els of truck traffic and are felt to be unsafe for bicyclists, Adventure Cycling changed the route to go through southern North Dakota.

Pierre is the capital of South Dakota and a major city in the state. Avoid riding during the morning and evening rush hours. Traffic can also include rec­re­ation­al and agricultural vehicles, especially from the city northward to Oahe Dam. North of Pierre there is a high, rolling, bluff that affords some great views and open sight lines. The 9.5-mile gravel section between Akaska and Mobridge is wide and well maintained with low traffic volumes. To avoid the gravel section, which can be very muddy when wet, stay on U.S. Highways 83 and 12 through Selby and Glenham.

Note that North Dakota law requires that if a signed bike path or lane is available, bicyclists must use it. If you don’t, you risk getting a ticket.

There are many gravel access roads leading from SR 1804 to reach the Missouri River. The route through the capital city of Bismarck, North Dakota, has two options: one urban through the heart of the city where services are located, and the other on bike paths closer to the river. Avoid riding during rush hours if at all possible. Be careful heading north on River Rd.; the sight lines are short and traffic can be heavy. Once out of the city though, the sight lines open up and offer some great river views and rolling hills with moderate traffic in this agricultural area.

The route heads north toward Stanton and the his­toric sites nearby, then goes south again on sparsely traveled state highways. Near Glen Ullin, the route will follow parallel roads along I-94 to Dickinson. Traffic will increase through towns and in the larger city of Dickinson.

The 50-mile I-94 Cutoff between Bismarck and SR 49 shortens the route by 62.5 miles. You will ride on the wide shoulders on I-94 for 12.8 miles if you take this option.

CLIMATE

As you travel north from South Dakota into North Dakota along the Missouri River, the weather is dominated by continental climate patterns. Rainfall amounts drop as the route progresses westward and high temperatures are accompanied by low humidity.

Thunderstorms and hailstorms are common through­out the summer months of June, July and August and often bring short, hard, rainfalls. These storms also bring with them winds that blow across the open prairie at high speeds, especially near the ground. Shifting winds are, in large part, responsible for the rapid changes in temperature. During the summer, the prevailing winds are southerly in nature, generally with the highest speeds recorded in spring and lowest in late summer.

Updated: Jul 16, 2019


RIDING CONDITIONS

On this section you’ll be the farthest away from the Expedition’s actual route. Due to the damming of the Missouri River at Fort Peck, Montana, there are no roads along Fort Peck Lake, and only one road crosses the river. The route stays on the south side of the river; the highways on the north side also have sparse services and similar mileages without services.

Highways and roads on this section are two-lane with minimal to no shoulders and surfaces are fair to good.

From Dickinson, North Dakota to Glendive, Montana, the route follows the I-94 freeway corridor. Convenience stores can have unreliable food selections, and post offices can have modified business hours. If you are choosing a mail stop on this map section pick a larger town for delivery. The route here alternates between wide-shouldered I-94 and mostly quiet Old Hwy 10. This highway has very rough pavement occasionally, so ride aware, but it makes a scenic and worthwhile respite from the interstate. In the town of Fryeburg, off route, there is an oil dump. You will encounter a considerable amount of truck traffic on Old Hwy. 10 between Belfield and Fryeburg.

The topography is mostly rolling with exceptions being the hills around Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, North Dakota.

West of Wibaux, between Exits #236 and #224, CR 106’s pavement is in bad shape with severe road cracks. Consider staying on I-94 to avoid the rough ride.

While the scenery typifies “Big Sky Country”, services and vehicles are sparse between Glendive and Lewistown. Plan your ride accordingly and be prepared by carrying extra food and water.

In the towns from Circle to Winnett it’s been reported that citizens don’t drink tap water because it is too alkaline, and can cause disgestive problems. Check locally. Services are limited between Circle and Winnett.

SR 200 is narrow and the grassy shoulder areas frequently drop off. It has stretches of deteriorating pavement, rumble strips, and fast traffic.

Pine trees will be a welcome change from treeless ranchland as you cross the Judith Mountains near Lewistown. SR 200/U.S. 87 into Lewistown is in good condition and though the shoulder width will vary, traffic volume is light. Some of the small towns along SR 81 and 80 before Fort Benton have small general stores.

The descent into Fort Benton on SR 80 is steep and has some sharp curves on rough pavement. Historic Fort Benton, besides being a full service town, is a good place to stop and explore. It is not advised to use U.S. 87 as a shortcut to Great Falls due to high traffic and lack of shoulders.

The route uses lightly traveled county roads to reach Great Falls. Traffic increases on U.S. 87/89 outside of the city, and you’ll ride on a separate bike path along the Missouri River into downtown.

One way to experience the Missouri along this section is to take a hiking or canoe trip through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Access to the river is remote and you’ll view what the Expedition saw without roads and power lines, which can still only occur at a few places along their route. Outfitters are found in various towns, and are listed above.

For a side trip, you can choose to ride the 60.7-mile Fort Peck Spur to see one of the world’s largest hydraulic earth-filled dams. When returning to the main route, if you’re riding westbound, be aware that there are no services along the 97-mile stretch between Fort Peck and Jordan. Going eastbound, it is 91.2 miles from Fort Peck to Circle.

CLIMATE

The land of eastern Montana can be characterized as very similar to the Great Plains country. However, you will find that it is broken up by wide valleys and the occasional groups of hills. Due to these open plains, the weather is continental in description. It tends to be dry with great ranges in temperature resulting in hot summer days with cool, comfortable evenings. However, be aware that nearly half of the annual precipitation in this region occurs in the three months of May, June, and July. Much of this summer precipitation is accompanied by severe though brief thunder and hail storms in July and August.

Climate information from Weather America, A Thirty Year Summary of Statistical Weather Data and Rankings, 2001, 2nd edition, Grey House Publishing, Millerton, NY.

Updated: Mar 26, 2021


RIDING CONDITIONS

In general, the main route on this map section has more on-route gravel than our other road routes. Due to this factor, it is recommended that you equip your bicycle with wider than standard road bike tires. Almost without exception, roads are two-lane with variable shoulder widths and fair surfaces.

Once you leave Great Falls, the next 62.4 miles will be on frontage roads that offer spectacular scenery including near constant views of the Missouri River.

Holter Lake Campground, off route, is a beautiful spot to camp but beware that the 2.4-mi. road leading to the first campground is steep, narrow and rough in addition to being busy on summer weekends. Call in advance to make sure sites are available before making the climb.

North of Helena, the 21.7 mi. Silver City Alternate avoids riding on 16.8 mi. of U.S. 287/I-15 but includes 11.1 mi. of gravel.

Between Townsend and Toston there is a 16.3-mi. gravel alternate, 13 mi. of which is gravel, that allows you to avoid a section of busy U.S. 287. From Toston to the Three Forks turnoff, U.S. 287 carries heavy traffic with variable shoulder widths and rumble stripping.

Though SR 2 has lighter traffic than U.S. 287, the section from Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park to where it intersects with I-90 has narrow spots where you will need to exercise caution. On SR 55 and SR 41 there is moderate to heavy commercial truck traffic.

About 5.2 miles south of Dillon you will need to choose to follow the main route or take the Big Hole Option. The main route (which was Lewis and Clark’s 1805 westbound course) crosses the Continental Divide over Lemhi Pass and includes 24.5 miles of gravel. Traffic is minimal in Montana and increases on U.S. 93 in Idaho north of Salmon. SR 28 and U.S. 93 have minimal shoulder widths.

The paved 87.2-mi. Big Hole Option is the route used by Captain Clark returning eastward in 1806. Traffic is minimal. It is 40.7 miles shorter than the main route. The Gibbons Pass Alternate is gravel/dirt for 15.5 miles. It reconnects with the main route 2 miles south of Sula, Montana.

If you have stayed on the main route, at North Fork you can ride 18.2 miles along the Salmon River to Shoup. Captain Clark made it as far as Indian Creek before deciding the river was unnavigable. Be aware of the rafting traffic and shuttles that uses this road.

North of Sula, large forest fires in the summer of 2000 burned 350,000 acres. U.S. 93 has several narrow stretches south of Darby. The 12.9 mi. Old Darby Alternate has minimal traffic, though U.S. 93 has moderate traffic and wide shoulders.

A separate bike path (and occasional sidewalk) begins 2.8 miles south of Hamilton and continues for 51.6 miles into Missoula. Traffic increases in all the Bitterroot Valley towns, and commuters heading to and from Missoula add to the rush.

CLIMATE

The Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide play important roles in determining Montana’s climate. East of the Divide, the climate is continental; it is drier with great ranges of temperature. Thundershowers and hailstorms are always a threat on hot summer afternoons, particularly during July and August.

West of the Divide, the state enjoys a semi-marine climate – similar to that of the north Pacific coast, although not as wet. The mountainous terrain in the western third of the state protects the Bitterroot Valley from the cold waves which sweep south from Canada each winter. The same mountains produce the Chinook wind by warming eastbound air as it descends over their slopes from higher elevations. A Chinook can make heavy snow cover disappear in a matter of hours. Overall, Montana has low annual precipitation. Thunderstorms or quick rainshowers are common west of the Divide during the summer.

Updated: Sep 16, 2019


RIDING CONDITIONS

This section’s route is characterized by riding along creek and river corridors and by climbs and descents between these corridors. The roads used are mostly well-surfaced, but often are narrow with minimal to no shoulders. Traffic will increase near towns and recreational areas.

U.S.12 follows the course of the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers. The highway is narrow, curvy, and shoulderless in stretches, so ride cautiously and defensively. Besides recreational traffic, grain trucks use it as their primary route between Montana and Lewiston, Idaho, the farthest eastern port for the Columbia River system.

At Kamiah, the main route continues to use U.S. 12. While the Idaho Transportation Department and local cyclists do not recommend riding between Kamiah and Lewiston on U.S. 12, we use it for those Lewis and Clark afficionados who want to follow the Expedition’s route as closely as possible. Over the course of the 51 miles between Kamiah and Arrow Bridge there are about 2 miles without shoulders. Please practice defensive riding techniques, ride single file and early in the day, and it’s best to ride this on a weekend. Westbound riders will experience stretches where the roadway is up against concrete barriers with the river on the other side, so there’s no place to bail out. If you are uncomfortable with this type of riding please use the 87.5-mile Palouse Prairie Alternate.

The main route is 19 miles shorter than the Palouse Prairie Alternate. Local cyclists recommended this routing, up and over the Camas and Nezperce prairies, to get to Lewiston and avoid the shoulderless portions of U.S. 12. SR 162 and SR 7 have little traffic, and U.S. 95 has wide shoulders.

Our 138.7-mile Lolo Trail Option is for the enthusiast who is riding with wider tires than the normal width of a touring tire. The rugged, mountainous terrain is reflected in the route profiles. Due to the scarcity of services and water, only fit, experienced cyclists should attempt this. Carrying a water filter is a must and you’ll need to fill up with water wherever you find a source. You are on mostly one-lane narrow gravel/dirt roads until the paved descent into Kamiah at the western end of the option.

The scenic 188-mile Blackfoot Option between Missoula and Great Falls follows the route that Captain Lewis used in 1806 while returning to St. Louis. The option uses two-lane highways that parallel the Blackfoot and Sun rivers. Shoulder widths are variable and traffic is moderate. The 13-mi. unpaved Alice Creek Spur following the creek is shown for those who want to ride, then hike 1.5 miles up to Lewis and Clark Pass to see the vista that Captain Lewis and his men viewed. You can combine the Blackfoot Option with Section 5 to make a loop out of Great Falls.

In Missoula, visit Adventure Cycling’s world headquarters. Enjoy ice cream, a Polaroid photo and free internet access.

Learn more about Missoula at: www.adventurecycling.org/about-us/visit-missoula

OFFICE HOURS: Open 8 AM-5 PM Monday-Friday, closed weekends and holidays. Located at 150 E. Pine St., 721-1776

CLIMATE

Comprising rugged mountain ranges, canyons, high grassy valleys, arid plains, and fertile lowlands, Idaho reflects in its topography and vegetation a wide range of climates. Located some 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Idaho is, nevertheless, influenced by maritime air borne eastward on the prevailing westerly winds. This maritime influence is most marked in the northern part of the state, where the air arrives via the Columbia River Gorge with a greater burden of moisture than at lower latitudes. In summer, periods of extreme heat extending beyond a week are quite rare. The incidence of summer thunderstorms is greatest in mountainous areas.

In Montana, the Continental Divide exerts a marked influence on the climate of adjacent areas. West of the Divide the climate is a modified north Pacific coast type, while to the east, climatic characteristics are decidedly continental. During the summer months hot weather occurs fairly often east of the Divide. Hot spells never become opressive though, because summer nights almost invariably are cool and pleasant. Areas adjacent to mountain ranges in general receive the most precipitation. Severe thundershowers with accompanying hail occur mostly in July and August.

Updated: Jun 25, 2018

Updates to Recently Released Maps

If you are planning a bike tour, be sure to get the most recent map updates and corrections for your route by selecting the route, and the appropriate section(s), from the drop-down menu below.

Over time maps become less useful because things change. Every year Adventure Cycling’s Routes and Mapping Department create map updates and corrections for every map in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, which now totals 52,047 miles. With the help of touring cyclists like you, we receive updates on routing, services, camping, and contact information. Until we can reprint the map with the new information, we verify the suggested changes and publish corrections and updates here on our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Covid has been particularly hard on the small businesses along our routes. While we do our best to keep the maps and these online updates current, you may encounter more closed businesses and longer stretches with limited or no services.

Refer to these updates for the most current information we have and submit reports of changes to the Route Feedback Form for the cyclists coming after you.

NOTE: Map updates and corrections only pertain to long term changes and updates. For short term road closures, please see the Adventure Cycling’s Routes Temporary Road Closures discussion in our Forums.