Lewis and Clark State Park is a 621-acre camping park situated in one of the last major stands of old-growth forest in the state. Coniferous trees, streams, wetlands and dense vegetation comprise the park environment.

Caverns were formed under the park and surrounding area by cooling lava from Mount Rainier. These caverns are presently being used for the storage of natural gas.

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.

Camping Fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations). An additional $1 per night is added to the basic camping fees listed below at this high-use park. Basic camping fees are:

Standard campsite, $15.

Utility campsite, $21.

Primitive campsite (accessible by motorized/non-motorized vehicles) and for water trail camping, $10

An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours : Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Length of stay: you may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31. Campsite Information : The park has 25 tent spaces, two restrooms and two showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have limited availability). All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Group Accommodations : Two group camps are reservable by calling the park office at (360) 864-2643. Prices vary with size of the group. The camps have a 50 person capacity and include running water, tables, stoves, fire ring and vault toilets.

Lewis and Clark Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is a reservable rental facility for groups of up to 50 people. The ELC includes a lodge with wood stove and a kitchen equipped with plates and cooking utensils. The lodge sleeps 24, and there is room for up to 10 RVs (no hookups) or several tents in a large open area adjacent to the lodge. Prices vary depending on the size of the group. For information or reservations, call the ELC office at (360) 902-8600.