Yankton in Yankton County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Lewis & Clark Expedition

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2025

1. The Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

Captions:
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.

Inscription. In 1804-1806, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery on an epic journey. Charged by President Thomas Jefferson to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly acquired Louisiana territory, they mapped the land, recorded its resources, and met with and learned from its native inhabitants.
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

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in temperament, they worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.

Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration.

Location. 42° 52.06′ N, 97° 31.288′ W. Marker is in Yankton, South Dakota, in Yankton County. It can be reached from State Highway 52 near Kniets Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48834 South Dakota Highway 52, Yankton SD 57078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Yankton Sioux Tribe

and in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 22, 2023

2. The Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Meeting the Yankton Sioux (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Up the Missouri (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Council at Calumet (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant (approx. 2.6 miles away in Nebraska); The Unmarked and Unknown (approx. 4.7 miles away); Pierre Dorion, Sr. (approx. 6.1 miles away); West Wall / Yankton Stockade (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yankton.

More about this marker. This marker is duplicated at numerous places along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.