Main | Sgt. Floyd Monument | L & C Interpretive Center (IA) | Ponca | Calumet Bluff | Niobrara | L & C Info Center
Fischers Lilly Park | L & C Interpretive Center (ND) | Knife River Indian Villages | Ft. Union | Pompeys Pillar

The Lewis & Clark Information Center, just outside of Chamberlain, South Dakota on I-90, holds a special place in my heart. When we head west from our home base of Mankato, Minnesota, this is where the cares of the workaday world begin to evaporate. Just being on the road isn't enough anymore. The terrain of western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota is pretty enough, but it isn't until we hit the rolling banks of the Missouri River around here that the tension of the school year eases off. (I've been a college professor most of my working life. Sure, we get three months off in the summer, but we pay for it big time by laboring 12 hour days, 7 days a week during the rest of the year. By the time May comes around, I'm dragging...).

It's Like a Free Museum

This wonderful place serves two purposes. First, it sits on the site of a South Dakota state highway rest stop you might have been to before, and continues in that rôle. The restrooms are open year round, and you can always pull over for a break from driving. There's fresh drinking water, pop machines, picnic shelters and even a short walking trail leading you to a breathtaking overlook. (More about that in a moment).

But a fantastic Lewis & Clark interpretive center was built here several years ago at a cost of $2.6 million. The galleries are only open during the late spring to early autumn vacation season and are really worth your attention. There's a phone number listed below should you want to call ahead and confirm days and hours.

What's Inside

Within its doors you'll find all sorts of well executed interpretive maps, murals and displays concerning the Corps of Discovery. When you're done taking these in, head to the staircase; you'll be amazed at what lies at the summit. The upper landing leads to a full size representation of the keel boat used by Lewis & Clark's party to navigate much of their trip along the Missouri. The size and craftsmanship of this is astonishing, and the rich wood grain of its beams is a delight to the eye. The keel boat then opens out into an observation deck from which you can absorb a wide view of the Missouri River, right where Lewis & Clark bivouacked.

Back down on the first floor, there's an information desk staffed by friendly and knowledgeable people who can answer questions and offer travel suggestions. Like most of the larger highway rest stops in this state, you can pick up free vacation literature. In fact, I got two of my favorite illustrated Lewis & Clark maps here, which I showed you back on the first page of this section. And the picture to the left shows the beautifully produced brochure I got on our spring 2002 trip; this gorgeous keepsake is all about the Information Center itself and what our heroes saw here two hundred years ago.

I have to confess that I always love watching the tourists here in May or June, even if I am a bit of a misanthrope. And believe me, this place can really be jumping at times, with visitors from Germany, England, Japan and who knows where else. Part of the fun is: we're all excited to be on the first leg of a trip out west...ah, the lure of the West...

And the Scenic Panorama

Head outside, no matter what the season, and scope out the view of the majestic Missouri. A short trail takes you beyond the picnic shelters slightly northwesterly to an extremely scenic bluff overlooking the river. You can spot an old railroad bridge spanning it, as well as a picturesque automobile bridge joining Chamberlain and Oacoma. (Try to ignore I-90 and its traffic, especially if you're passing this way during the Sturgis Rally week.) The picture below attempts to portray what you'll see, but no camera can capture the splendor of the view.

If you cut back southerly to the gigantic teepee frame behind the Information Center, you'll find a large bronze plaque and another interpretive map put up by the South Dakota State Historical Society. The plaque is engraved with a bit from Lewis' journal, describing what the Corps met at this wonderful spot. As you probably know, these explorers were very observant naturalists and recorded everything in minute detail. The inscription here spells out some of the wildlife they spotted, among other things. (I think there were some bird descriptions of note, but I forget the details now — time for another trip to go back and check!)

When reviewing several passages from Meriwether Lewis' journal before writing this section, I noted that he (almost unbelievably) spotted immense herds of buffalo, elk, deer and pronghorn browsing around this site.

As I've mentioned before, I love the Missouri, and somehow pulling off at this beautiful spot always signifies the start of a grand vacation to the West. I can't say if it's the rolling green banks (which resemble the lobes of a human brain) surrounding the gargantuan valley, the hillsides splattered with zillions of scraggly redcedars or simply the sign along the path which warns tourists, "Beware of poisonous snakes"; all I know is that I'm on the way to the land I love most.

A Sign

We passed through here in December of 2000 to see the nearby Atka Lakota Museum, and (as usual) walked down to the overlook to spy on the Mighty Mo. Circling overhead was a majestic bald eagle, its white head and tail feathers catching the sun and sparkling against a pure blue sky. Not a bad omen for the start of a winter trip...

• State
  • South Dakota Highway Rest Stops
  • South Dakota State Historical Society
  
  
• Municipal
  • City of Chamberlain
  
  
• Other Interesting Sites
  • Bel Air Motel (a favorite motel in Chamberlain)
  • Tracing the Trail (Argus Leader, Sioux Falls)