The Lewis & Clark Trust has partnered with Terrain360 and the National Park Service to create the most comprehensive virtual experience of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail ever produced.
Using specially outfitted boats equipped with cutting-edge 360-degree ultra-high-definition spherical camera systems, Terrain360 is capturing immersive imagery of the same waterways traveled by the Corps of Discovery from 1803 to 1806.
Project Scope
The mapping expedition covers the full 4,900-mile trail spanning 16 states, including:
- The Ohio River — From Pittsburgh to the Mississippi, the route Lewis traveled to meet Clark and recruit expedition members
- The Missouri River — The primary artery of the westward journey
- The Yellowstone River — 507 miles from south of Livingston, Montana to the Missouri-Yellowstone confluence
- Upper Missouri Breaks — One of the most remote and pristine stretches of the trail
- The Blackfoot River — Through Montana’s wilderness
Interactive Virtual Experience
The resulting interactive maps allow educators, researchers, and the public to virtually navigate the same waterways Lewis and Clark traveled — experiencing the landscape, understanding the geography, and appreciating the scale of the expedition’s achievement. The maps are accessible through multiple platforms including Terrain360.com and lewisandclark.travel.
This project represents a groundbreaking fusion of modern technology and historical preservation, ensuring that the Lewis and Clark trail remains accessible and engaging for future generations.