A fun, outdoor fundraiser to support educational programs at Travelers’ Rest. Friday, September 12, 2025.
Please join us at Travelers’ Rest State Park on September 12 for a unique event to support educational programs like field trips, Trekker Kids, and Saturday Storytelling. This year, we are also raising funds for a unique exhibit: The Art of the Angle, a collection of illustrations from beloved books including Home Waters by John Maclean and A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
A Taste of the 19th Century includes a dinner of Expedition-inspired cuisine from A Moveable Feast catering. Our neighbors at Lolo Creek Distillery will mix up some festive cocktails and Lolo Peak Brewing Company will provide beer and wine. Each ticket includes a commemorative pint cup and one drink ticket.
During the event, you can visit with demonstrators to learn more about the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Live and silent auctions feature one-of-a-kind experience packages, collectibles, and more. And, make sure you save room for our famous dessert auction of donated delicacies.
Camping Then & Now, September 6 from 11 am to 3 pm
Compare a Lewis & Clark campsite to how we camp today. Staff and volunteers will set up two campsites, one with replicas from the 19th century and one using today’s camping gear. This Hands-On History Pop-Up will be fun and appropriate for all ages.
Be Bear Aware, September 20
Drop in for bear awareness activities throughout the day. Learn the difference between a grizzly and a black bear. Practice bear spray techniques. Find out how you can live more peacefully with your ursine neighbors.
Trekker Kids is a series of activities and programs for kids and families that celebrate the outdoors of western Montana and the rich history of the Travelers’ Rest site.
FOR ALL AGES
Travelers’ Rest field trips offer fun, informal learning for students of all ages. To ensure great experiences for both children and adults on these field trips, we recommend a maximum of 20 students per station, though we can accommodate groups of 28 students when an additional chaperone accompanies them. (Classrooms may be split into two groups.) Note that certain field trip topics have a maximum capacity of 20 students to maintain student safety, assure program quality, and manage time. Be sure to carefully read through the listings below as you plan your field trip. We look forward to seeing you at the park!
Thanks to the generosity of the members and donors of Travelers’ Rest Connection, all field trips are offered free of charge.
From clothing to flintlock weapons to navigational equipment, Travelers’ Rest has a large collection of replica items that illustrate what life was like for explorers in the early 19th century. Students participate in an interactive presentation that includes stories from the Corps of Discovery’s journey through what is now western Montana. Kindergarteners through second graders investigate replica items through a fun, hands-on matching game. Indoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, English CC Grade Level: K-2, 3-6 Capacity: 20 students or 28 students with an additional chaperone provided by school
ARCHAEOLOGY WALK
Walk in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark expedition! Travelers’ Rest is the only archaeologically confirmed campsite along the Lewis and Clark Trail. In this program, students learn about the scientific process and the technology used to pinpoint the location of the Travelers’ Rest site and see the areas that were excavated to uncover the campfire and latrine. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, Math CC, English CC, Health Grade Level: K-12 Capacity: 20 students
JOURNALING FOR JEFFERSON
Under the mandate of President Thomas Jefferson, Captains Lewis and Clark, their sergeants, and Private Whitehouse kept detailed journals about their trip across the continent. In this program, students hear what the expedition members had to say when they visited Travelers’ Rest and try to decipher their 19th-century descriptions of plants and animals. Students also make their own careful observations and write a journal entry to record their experience at Travelers’ Rest. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, Math CC, English CC, Arts, Health Grade Level: 3-4, 5-8 Capacity: 20 students or 28 students with an additional chaperone provided by school
CORPS OF DIVERSITY
Students will also use primary sources to learn about individual members of the Corps of Discovery and the diverse backgrounds and skills that contributed to the success of the Expedition. Students will complete small group discussion and individual reflection activities.
Content Standards: Social Studies, Language Arts Grade Level: 4-8 Capacity: 30 students
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY FIELD TRIPS
NATIVE AMERICAN GAMES LEVEL 1
Hunting and intuition are incredibly valuable skills for surviving in the harsh climates of Montana. Your students will love this opportunity to play these traditional games while learning more about what life was like for the people who lived here at the place called “No Salmon.” Closed-toed shoes are required. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, English CC, Health, IEFA Grade Level: K-5 Capacity: 20 students
NATIVE AMERICAN GAMES LEVEL 2
After practicing some Native Games in Level 1, your students will have the opportunity to play a full game of Double Ball as well as discuss the importance of working as a team for the traditional Salish people. Due to the physical nature of this field trip program, groups of 16 or less are required. Close-toed shoes are required. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, English CC, Health, IEFA Grade Level: 6-12 Capacity: 20 students
SEASONS OF THE SALISH
Explore the seasonal round typical of the traditional Salish way of life and learn how the Plateau peoples met their seasonal needs for food, shelter, tools, and clothing with resources available at different times of the year and in different places. Students work in teams to explore the seasonal round and to gain awareness and appreciation of the interconnectedness of people with the natural world. Indoors. Content Standards: Communication Arts, Science, Social Studies, IEFA, Workplace Competencies Grade Level: 4-6 Capacity: 20 students or 28 students with an additional chaperone provided by school
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION
During the course of their expedition, the Corps of Discovery traveled through the homelands of at least 50 Indigenous nations who spoke many different languages and dialects. In this program, students will explore the challenges that came with trying to communicate across barriers of language and culture, and the importance of the Corps’ diverse membership in their ultimate success. Content Standards: Social Studies, Language Arts, IEFA Grade Level: 3-6 Capacity: 20 students
NATURAL HISTORY FIELD TRIPS
COTTONWOOD FOREST HABITAT
The cottonwood forest is essential to the health of Lolo Creek, the stream that runs through Travelers’ Rest. Students will explore the forest at Travelers’ Rest, learn about the life cycle of trees, and what distinguishes the cottonwood from other species. This field trip provides a good introduction to plant science for young learners. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, English CC, Health Grade Level: Pre-K-3 Capacity: 20 students
PREDATORS & PREY
Predators abound in Montana’s wild lands. A hands-on inspection of animal parts including jaw bones, pelts and skulls, gives students clues about abilities and diets of these mammals. Students will also learn about the valuable role of all animals in our ecosystem and explore how the natural environment would change without them. Outdoors (preferred) or Indoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, English CC, Health Grade Level: 3-6 Capacity: 20 students or 28 students with an additional chaperone provided by school
SOLO NATURE HIKE
Travelers’ Rest State Park is habitat to more than 130 bird species, an abundance of native plants and many other flora and fauna. Throughout the year, the seasonal changes in habitat and inhabitants can be witnessed through the Solo Hike along the Nature Trail. Students will have the opportunity to experience nature on their own or in pairs while reflecting on the different ways that Travelers’ Rest State Park is an important place. This program is facilitated by the classroom teacher, rather than a Travelers’ Rest staff member. Outdoors. Content Standards: Social Studies, Science, English CC, Health Grade Level: 3-12 Capacity: 20 students or 28 students with an additional chaperone provided by school
REMARKABLE RIPARIAN REALM
Creeks, rivers, and streams are the arteries that bring life and texture to the state of Montana. Students will explore the riparian habitat along Lolo Creek in Travelers’ Rest State Park and search for the plants and animals that call it home; learn about the importance of healthy riparian systems; delve into the dynamics of rivers; and become familiar with the greatest riparian habitat architect in history. Outdoors.
Grade: 3+
Capacity: 20 Students
Travelers’ Rest State Park is home to a remarkable diversity of plants and animals:
More than 130 species of birds have been sighted within the Park’s 65 acres.
Cottonwood trees line the banks of Lolo Creek and stand as markers of earlier configurations of the creek.
River otters play in the rushing waters, while beavers work to slow the current.
Enormous anthills demonstrate the collective efforts of these tiny residents of the park.
Native plants war with invasive species like spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, ox-eyed daisy, and common tansy.
Lolo Creek is an historic bull-trout fishery. Many groups and individuals are working to preserve the habitat of this threatened species.
Video Highlights of 2024 at Travelers’ Rest State Park
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“It was good! Their home life was good, they were growing up in a good way, the children of the long ago people. The land was clean, the air was clean, everything was good.”
Mitch Smallsalmon, Pend d’Oreille elder, 1978 From The Salish People and the Lewis and Clark Expedition U. of Nebraska Press (2005)
The site of Travelers’ Rest State Park lies at the hub of an intricate network of trade, travel, and culture developed over thousands of years. The Bitterroot Salish traveled this network of trails to find salmon to the west; buffalo, bull trout, bitterroot and camas to the east; other Salishan speaking people—the Pend d’Oreille and Spokane—to the north; and later, horse country to the south.
“It was a favorite hunting area, especially for deer, and the people would move there for that purpose in the spring.”
From The Salish People and the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Because of the vast resources found here, Native peoples returned to this area throughout the year. Families camped along the banks of Lolo Creek, gathering resources needed to survive the long Rocky Mountain winters.
Although they were removed from the Bitterroot Valley in 1891, the area still remains an important ancestral homeland for the Salish people. Travelers’ Rest State Park helps to preserve a small part of this landscape and interpret its history for visitors from around the region and throughout the world.
Native trail network map (Design and concept property of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Used with permission.)
bitterroot flower
Salish Elder Louis Adams speaks at Winter Storytelling
Tim Ryan, archaeologist and educator, shows a traditional fish trap.
A group of teens help erect a tipi at Travelers' Rest
“we continued our rout down the W. side of the river about 5 miles further and encamped on a large creek which falls in on the West as our guide informes that we should leave the river at this place and the weather appearing settled and fair I determined to halt the next day rest our horses and take some scelestial Observations. we called this Creek Travellers rest. it is about 20 yards wide a fine bould clear runing stream…”
Journal of Meriwether Lewis, September 9, 1805
Travelers’ Rest State Park is home to the ONLY archaeologically verified campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, Travelers’ Rest is a notable location along the Lewis and Clark Trail for many reasons. This was their last stop before beginning their journey across the treacherous Bitterroot Mountains in September 1805. The Corps of Discovery returned to this place at the end of June, 1806, to finalize their plans to travel separately through what is now Montana before reuniting on August 12 near Sanish, North Dakota.
“a little before Sunset we arrived at our old encampment on the S. Side of the Creek a little above its enterance into Clarks river. here we Encamped with a view to remain 2 days in order to rest ourselves and horses and make our final arrangements for Seperation.”
Journal of William Clark, June 30, 1806
In 1960, the National Park Service named Travelers’ Rest a National Historic Landmark, but placed the site approximately 1.5 miles east of its current location. Both amateurs and academics, intent on finding the exact location of the Corps of Discovery campsite, contributed to the research that revealed the actual sites of the camp’s fires and latrine.
Visitors to Travelers’ Rest can learn more about the preponderance of evidence that led to the relocation of the National Historic Landmark and the development of Travelers’ Rest State Park.
Dig Deeper
Explore the links below to learn more about the individuals, events, items, and context of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Many of these resources were written by a dedicated group of amateur historians and volunteers known affectionately as the Clarkkies. We will post new links as they become available, so check back often!
COMMUNICATING WITH INDIANS DURING THE EXPEDITION What may have been lost in translation? A major challenge during the expedition was communicating with the Indians of the more than two dozen Tribes they met along their way to the Pacific Coast.
YORK: INVOLUNTARY AMBASSADOR York, an enslaved man, was brought on the Expedition by his owner, William Clark. His presence was essential to the success of the mission, yet he received neither payment nor freedome on the Expedition’s triumphant return to St. Louis.
CONTINUITY IN A TIME OF CHANGE – VIDEO Tony Incashola (Director, Séliš-Ql̓ispé Culture Committee) and Thompson Smith (Coordinator, Tribal History and Ethnogeography Projects) joined us on Zoom to share the many changes taking place in Séliš life in the 1700s, and how those affected the tribe into the following century. Click here to watch a video of this presentation.
A blue bead, discovered at Travelers' Rest in 2002, brought by Lewis & Clark to trade along their route to the Pacific.
Archaeologist Dan Hall and a volunteer excavate an area where magnetometry indicated a change in soil composition.
A puddle of lead found in an area of Travelers' Rest determined to have been a Corps of Discovery campfire.
Dr. Rush's instructions for administering his "Bilious Pills" to the Corps of Discovery.
Baron Von Steuben's plan for military encampments, followed by Lewis & Clark.
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Native trail network map (Design and concept property of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Used with permission.)
bitterroot flower
Salish Elder Louis Adams speaks at Winter Storytelling
Tim Ryan, archaeologist and educator, shows a traditional fish trap.
A group of teens help erect a tipi at Travelers' Rest
A blue bead, discovered at Travelers' Rest in 2002, brought by Lewis & Clark to trade along their route to the Pacific.
Archaeologist Dan Hall and a volunteer excavate an area where magnetometry indicated a change in soil composition.
A puddle of lead found in an area of Travelers' Rest determined to have been a Corps of Discovery campfire.
Dr. Rush's instructions for administering his "Bilious Pills" to the Corps of Discovery.
Baron Von Steuben's plan for military encampments, followed by Lewis & Clark.