Lewis and Clark State Park is located in Lewis County approximately twelve miles south of Chehalis on Jackson Highway (old U.S. 99).

Acreage

620 acres including the satellite areas of Jackson House with .5 acre and Matilda Jackson with 5.2 acres.

Acquired

The park was acquired in eight parcels; the first in 1933 and the last in 1992, for a total cost of $387,564.

Historical Background

The dominant historical feature of the park is the old north spur of the Oregon Trail from the Cowlitz River Landing to Tumwater which passed through the present park site. When the pioneers used this road, ramps had to be built over some of the downed logs (6 to 9 feet in diameter) since no saws were capable of cutting through them. Caverns were formed under the park and surrounding area by cooling lava from Mt. Rainier. These caverns are presently being used by El Paso Natural Gas Company for storage of natural gas. The park has a unique original stand of, primarily, Douglas fir and red cedar ­ one of the last existing along Highway 99 ­ half of which were blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (8.5 million board feet of original 13.5 million).

In 1980, just after Mt. St. Helens erupted, the U.S. Forest Service established the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center at the southeast corner of the park. In 1987, the Visitor Center building was purchased in a special appropriation for $75,000 by Washington State Parks. It is currently a multi-purpose building rental available to the public on a daily basis.

Facilities

25 campsites, CCC constructed comfort station, 62 picnic sites, 2 CCC kitchen shelters, 2 horseshoe pits, two group camping areas with a capacity of 50 tent campers and approximately 100 recreational campers. There is also a 3,500 sq. ft. air conditioned and heated building the public may rent for a variety of uses such as classes, meetings, weddings, etc. The John R. Jackson House is a log cabin built by John R. Jackson in 1845. It was the first American pioneer home north of the Columbia River. In 1915, A. Donohoe donated the site to the Washington State Historical Society, who, in turn, donated it to the Commission in 1917. In January 1917, Louise Ware, daughter of John R. and Matilda Jackson, donated the Matilda Jackson site to the Commission. The site has a kitchen shelter, and 1 vault toilet. The Commission has a concession agreement with Washington Natural Gas for the storage of natural gas in underground caverns partially under the Matilda Jackson site. In December 1987, six surplus buildings were acquired from the U.S.F.S.; 3 vaulted toilets, 2 storage buildings, and 1 large multi­purpose building. There is a corral/ horseback riding area which has stalls, water, parking, loading ramps, and a 3.5 mile trail. Part of the park's forest is a designated Natural Forest Area.

Activities

Camping, picnicking, hiking, natural wading pool, children's play area, juvenile fishing, and horseback riding.

Of Special Interest

The park contains one of the last stands of Lowland Old Growth

Forests. The John R. Jackson House was the home of the first American to settle in this area of Washington. Great view of Mt. St. Helens (crater is visible).