| Lewis and Clark State Park | |
| Map: | USA Washington#USA |
| Map Size: | 280 |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Location: | Lewis, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates: | 46.5247°N -122.8153°W |
| Area Acre: | 616 |
| Elevation: | 453feet |
| Established: | 1922 |
| Named For: | Meriwether Lewis and William Clark |
| Operator: | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website: | Lewis and Clark State Park |
Lewis and Clark State Park is a public recreation area located 6miles northeast of Winlock and immediately south of Mary's Corner in Lewis County, Washington. Named after the explorers Lewis and Clark, despite the expedition not venturing in the area during their travels, the state park occupies one of the last major stands of old-growth forest in the state. When the park opened in the 1920s it was visited by over 10,000 people per year.
Lewis and Clark State Park began in May 1922 after the state park board announced a 520acres park to be located on Lacamas Hill approximately south of Chehalis on the Pacific Highway.[1] The park was dedicated on September 23, 1922 during a ceremony that included Washington state governor Louis F. Hart. At the time considered the largest state park in Washington, the grounds contained the largest tract of old-growth forest in a Washington state park. Under a resolution passed by the state legislature in 1921, the park is required to remain as a natural wooded area.[2]
The park's include camping areas and trails for hiking and horseback riding. Trails within the parcel border on a zone showing the forest rebounding from damage due to the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. Evidence of the efforts by the Civilian Conservation Corps to improve the park in the 1930s can be found in the park's rustic shelters and restroom facilities.[3] [4]
Remnants of the Cowlitz Trail are visible in the park, noted by deep grooves caused by wagons and settlers traveling the route.[5]