Travelers' Rest State Park

 Lewis and Clark Expedition camped beside a stream that they named Travelers' Rest Creek in September of 1805 before they started their arduous trip over the snow covered Bitterroot Mountains. They camped in the same spot on their return trip. Archeologists discovered a trench latrine tainted with mercury, fire hearths, and a small amount of melted lead used for making bullets which pinpointed a meadow in the park as the exact location of their camp. 

 

The small visitor center has exhibits on the Expedition, Native Americans, and natural history. A hard packed, gravel, lollipop trail with interpretive signs makes a half mile trip out and back. Two hard packed dirt trails follow the creek. We followed the east nature trail to the end, about 1/3 mile out and back. 

 

The visitor center is accessible. The gravel trail has a very steep hill up to the bridge across Lolo Creek. The bridge deck does not meet flush to the ground on either end. The nature trail has some rough spots. Both trails are doable but wheelchair users may need assistance.  

 The parking lot has long RV spaces. Park  46.75319, -114.08852