Lewis and Clark State Park
The park contains a vast stand of rare old-growth
forest. It is a Civilian Conservation Corps park, and many of the buildings
constructed by the corps remain in use today.
Location
Approximately twelve miles south of Chehalis, WA.
Park Hours
Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Closed Oct. 1 to March 29.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 11 p.m to 6:30 a.m.
Acreage
620 acres including the satellite areas of Jackson House with .5 acre
and Matilda Jackson with 5.2 acres.
Acquired
The park was acquired in eight parcels; the first in 1933 and the last
in 1992, for a total cost of $387,564.
Historical Background
Lewis and Clark State Park, which is actually separate from the Lewis
and Clark Trail, began as a "public camp" for automobile
tourists in 1922. Two years later, more than 10,000 people visited
the park.
The old north spur of the Oregon Trail, which extended
from the Cowlitz River landing to the city of Tumwater, passed directly
through the present park site. When pioneers used this road, ramps had
to be built over some of the downed logs (six to nine feet in diameter),
since no saws were capable of cutting the giants.
The park has a unique stand of old-growth forest, primarily
Douglas fir and red cedar, one of the last old-growth forest stands
remaining along Hwy. 99. Half of the old-growth trees along the highway
were blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (8.5 million board feet
of the original 13.5 million).
Located nearby, the John R. Jackson House was the first
American pioneer home built north of the Columbia River. It was constructed
in 1845 by the man for whom it is named.
Facilities
25 campsites, CCC constructed comfort station, 62 picnic sites, 2 CCC
kitchen shelters, 2 horseshoe pits, two group camping areas with a
capacity of 50 tent campers and approximately 100 recreational campers.
There
is also a 3,500 sq. ft. air conditioned and heated building the public
may rent for a variety of uses such as classes, meetings, weddings,
etc. The John R. Jackson House is a log cabin built by John R. Jackson
in 1845. It was the first American pioneer home north of the Columbia
River. In 1915, A. Donohoe donated the site to the Washington State
Historical Society, who, in turn, donated it to the Commission in 1917.
In January 1917, Louise Ware, daughter of John R. and Matilda Jackson,
donated the Matilda Jackson site to the Commission. The site has a
kitchen shelter, and 1 vault toilet. The Commission has a concession agreement
with Washington Natural Gas for the storage of natural gas in underground
caverns partially under the Matilda Jackson site. In December 1987,
six surplus buildings were acquired from the U.S.F.S.; 3 vaulted toilets,
2 storage buildings, and 1 large multipurpose building. There is
a corral/ horseback riding area which has stalls, water, parking, loading
ramps, and a 3.5 mile trail. Part of the park's forest is a designated
Natural Forest Area.
Of Special Interest
There is a self-guided half-mile interpretive trail in the park, featuring
information on the park's old growth forest.
Jackhouse tours are available year-round by appointment. Call (360)
864-2643.
Activities
Trails
8 mi. Hiking Trails
5 mi. Horse Trails
Water Activities
Other
1 Amphitheater
1 Badminton area
2 Fire Circles
3 Horseshoe pits
Interpretive Activities
1 Volleyball Field
Driving Directions
Located 12 miles south of Chehalis, Wash., on the I-5 corridor.
From I-5: Take exit # 68, and head east on Hwy. 12 about three miles.
At Jackson Hwy., turn right, heading south. Continue about three miles
to park entrance.
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Comment Submission
Courtesy of Washington
State Park and Recreation Commission
