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Lewis and Clark State Park (Washington)

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Coordinates: 46°31′29″N 122°48′55″W / 46.52472°N 122.81528°W / 46.52472; -122.81528
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Lewis and Clark State Park
Interpretive panels, Lewis and Clark State Park
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark State Park
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark State Park
Location in the state of Washington
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark State Park
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park (Washington) (the United States)
LocationLewis, Washington, United States
Coordinates46°31′29″N 122°48′55″W / 46.52472°N 122.81528°W / 46.52472; -122.81528[1]
Area616 acres (249 ha)
Elevation453 ft (138 m)[1]
Established1922
Named forMeriwether Lewis and William Clark
OperatorWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteLewis and Clark State Park

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]

History

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Civilian Conservation Corps pavilion

Lewis and Clark State Park began in May 1922 after the state park board announced a 520-acre (210 ha) park to be located on Lacamas Hill approximately 12 miles (19 km) south of Chehalis on the Pacific Highway.[3] The 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.[4]

Amenities and features

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Trail of the Deer

The 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][5]

Remnants of the Cowlitz Trail are visible in the park, noted by deep grooves caused by wagons and settlers traveling the route.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Lewis and Clark State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "State Park Board Sets Aside 520 Acres South Of Chehalis". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. May 26, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Everything Ready For The Park Dedication Saturday". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. September 22, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Lewis and Clark State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  6. ^ McDonald, Julie (July 22, 2024). "Could tourists flock to Lewis County to learn of Washington's history?". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
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