Salem near Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2026
1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
NOTABLE OUTBOUND POINTS (green, east to west): Depart Camp River Dubois, (winter quarters, 1803-1804) May 14, 1804; First Council with Indians (Otoes and Missourias) August 3, 1804; Sgt. Charles Floyd Dies, August 10, 1804; Confrontation with the Teton Sioux, September 25-28, 1804; Fort Mandan is Constructed, Toussaint Charbonneau, Sacagawea and their son Jean Bapiste join the Expedition. (winter quarters, 1804-1805; Decision Point, Lewis and Clark correctly determine the Missouri River route ahead to the Great Falls, June 2, 1805; Portage Around the Great Falls of the Missouri River, June 13 - July 15, 1805; Purchase Horses from Shoshone Indians, ensuring a Safe Passage through the Bitterroot Mountains, August 30, 1805; Nez Perce help Lewis and Clark prepare for their Journey to the Columbia River, September 26 - October 7, 1805; Arrive at the Pacific Ocean, November 15, 1805.
NOTABLE INBOUND POINTS (orange, west to east): Fort Clatsop is Constructed, (winter quarters, 1805-1806), Return trip begins on March 23, 1806; Expedition Splits, Lewis and party head north to explore the Marias River. Clark and party head south and follow the Yellowstone River., July 3, 1806, Clark Engraves his name on the side of a Sandstone Butte along the Yellowstone River, July 25, 1806; Lewis and Clark Parties Rejoin, August 17, 1806; Arrive in St. Louis, September 23, 1806.
NOTABLE INBOUND POINTS (orange, west to east): Fort Clatsop is Constructed, (winter quarters, 1805-1806), Return trip begins on March 23, 1806; Expedition Splits, Lewis and party head north to explore the Marias River. Clark and party head south and follow the Yellowstone River., July 3, 1806, Clark Engraves his name on the side of a Sandstone Butte along the Yellowstone River, July 25, 1806; Lewis and Clark Parties Rejoin, August 17, 1806; Arrive in St. Louis, September 23, 1806.
The landscape has changed since Lewis and Clark explored it; rivers have been dammed, forests cut over, prairies plowed under, and roads built to the horizon. Although remnants of wilderness still exist, imagine this land as Lewis and Clark first saw it two centuries ago. Today, visitors can travel in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark to share in the diverse perspectives of the Expedition and to gain a better understanding of the history of the United States.
In preparation for the journey, Meriwether Lewis took crash courses in medicine, botany, zoology, and celestial observation. With President Jefferson's permission Lewis asked his friend and former commanding officer, William Clark to be co-leader. Clark brought his skills as an outdoorsman, a geographer and map-maker. Although opposite
this page online
Erected by U.S. National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list.
Location. 47° 34.835′ N, 111° 2.467′ W. Marker is near Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. It is in Salem. It is on Salem Road near Highwood Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Portage Staging Area National Historic Site. The Staging Area is approximately 6 miles north of Highwood Road on Salem Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Falls MT 59404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2026
2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Portaging the Great Falls (here, next to this marker); The Staging Area (here, next to this marker); A Modern, Well-Armed Unit (a few steps from this marker); Deciding the Best Route (a few steps from this marker); Avenue to the Plains (within shouting distance of this marker); Keen Observers of Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); Flowing Free for Miles (approx. one mile away); Land of Many Uses / Sulphur Springs Hiking Trail / Lewis and Clark Reach the Rapids (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.
More about this marker. Duplicates of this marker are found at other locations along the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
