Lewis & Clark State Park is a 621-acre camping park situated in one of the last major stands of old growth forest in the state. The park environment is comprised of coniferous trees, streams, wetlands, dense vegetation and wet prairie. There are 25 tent campsites, nine utility sites, five primitive equestrian sites, one hiker/biker site, two restrooms and two showers. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. There are eight miles of hiking trails and five miles of horse trails.
Lewis and Clark State Park began as a "public camp" for automobile tourists in 1922 along the same route that had been the old north spur of the Oregon Trail. That spur ran from the Cowlitz River Landing to the City of Tumwater and passed right through the present park site. When the first pioneers used this road ramps had to be constructed over some of the largest of the downed trees (six to nine feet in diameter) since they had no saws that could cut those giants. The place proved popular and by 1924 more than 10,000 people visited the park annually.
The park is a Civilian Conservation Corps park with many of the buildings constructed by the corps in the park still in use today. The park contains a vast stand of rare old-growth forest, primarily Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. Unfortunately two thirds of the old growth trees were blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, also known as Typhoon Freda. When the storm reached Washington it had wind gusts over 145 MPH and sustained winds over 130 MPH. The damage was so extensive that the park had to be closed for three years for repairs and replanting of trees.
Park hours:
The park is open May 1 to Sept 30.
Summer day use: 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
Closed: October 1 to April 30.
Note: Although the park is closed October 1 to April 30, Washington State Parks says geocachers may walk into the park to search for geocaches.
Other Nearby State Parks:
Located about a mile north of Lewis and Clark State Park near Highway 12 are two small state parks, the John R. Jackson Court House and Matilda Jackson. Located north of Highway 12, the 5 acre Matilda Jackson State Park provides a shady place to rest for weary travelers. A historic marker by the road gives details of some of the history of this park. This treed property has a covered picnic shelter as well as uncovered picnic tables and a pit toilet but currently no water, power or wifi. The property was deeded to WA State Parks with the provision that it would be managed as a "comfort station forever".
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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