Perched on a cliff 200 feet above the mouth of the Columbia River, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center tells the story of the Corps of Discovery’s journey, focusing particularly on their Pacific Coast stay. It’s a wonderful stop for families with interactive exhibits. Children can try to pack a canoe without tipping it, follow a treasure hunt, and check out what the Corps ate on their journey.
During winter and spring, trained volunteers come to the center to help visitors spot migrating Gray Whales. You can also learn about the nearby North Head and Cape Disappointment Lighthouses. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. The lighthouses both function to protect mariners from the rough and ever-changing Columbia River Bar in the treacherous area known as the Graveyard of the Pacific.
