Washougal in Clark County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026
1. Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears Marker
Captions: (middle left) American Black Bear (Ursus Americans)/i ;
(middle right) Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rytyulus).
Cub Scouting
While hunting across the river from here in spring 1806, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition discovered a bear den with three cubs inside. The men brought the cubs back to camp to show the rest of the party. Indians visiting the camp were intrigued with the young black bears. Lewis wrote, the Indians who visited us today fancyed these pets and gave us wappetoe in exchange for them.
If you see a Bear
Black bear cubs usually are born in midwinter and stay with their mothers for about one year. Mature bears weigh 125 to 400 pounds.
If you see a bear on the trail stay calm, stop talking, and slowly back away while facing the bear, giving it plenty of room to escape. Avoid direct eye contact and do not try to run away. It is never a good idea to approach bear cubs. Coming between a female and her cub is dangerous.
I went out with two men more to the den where we saw the cubs, to watch for the old bear. ... But the old one was not returned: so we took the cubs and returned to camp.
Patrick Gass
When the Expedition passed through here in 1805 and 1806, the
this page online
This area is now part of the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge that extends from here to the Columbia River, encompassing much of the the lowlands below this viewpoint.
Erected by Washington Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1806.
Location. 45° 34.29′ N, 122° 17.97′ W. Marker is in Washougal, Washington, in Clark County. It is at the intersection of Southeast Evergreen Boulevard and Southeast Gibson Road, on the right when traveling east on Southeast Evergreen Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38600 SE Evergreen Blvd, Washougal WA 98671, United States
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 11, 2026
2. Lewis and Clark and the Three Bears Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Portland Area and in Southwest Washington State. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain William Clark Park (approx. 2.1 miles away); River Highway (approx. 2.3 miles away in Oregon); Broughton’s Expedition (approx. 2.3 miles away in Oregon); William R. Broughton R.N. (approx. 2.6 miles away); Stocking the Pantry (approx. 2.7 miles away); Corbett (approx. 2.8 miles away in Oregon); Chanticleer Point (approx. 3.2 miles away in Oregon); a different marker also named Chanticleer Point (approx. 3.2 miles away in Oregon). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washougal.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
