Lewis and Clark Trail History

The Nez Perce

Upon reaching the Continental Divide on their journey westward in August 1805, the Expedition immediately searched for the Shoshones, who had horses that would be required in order to portage the Rocky Mountains, and who would be able to suggest a route by which to pass. Upon meeting the Shoshone chief Cameahwait, Lewis asked for information regarding the Columbia River. On the response, Lewis recorded "he had understood from the persed nosed Indians who inhabit this river below the rocky mountains that it ran a great way toward the setting sun, and finally lost itself in a great lake of water which was illy taisted.".

This response, which finally linked one side of the continent with the other, is the first recorded incidence of a white man having heard of the Nez Perce, the largest tribe located west of the Rockies.

The captains needed to reach the Pacific before the onset of winter, and therefore couldn't afford to spend time with the Nez Perce, but did so on their return trip eastward. With the Corps badly needing food and supplies, Clark set up shop as a doctor, a service whose value could be used in barter. Good relations with the Nez Perce were established, and some of them helped to guide the Expedition back through the Rockies, in consideration for a few quite valuable presents.

In the second half of the 1800s relations deteriorated rapidly. A gold rush to Idaho had caused Nez Perce reservation property to become quite desirous, eventually resulting in a request for them to relocate to a smaller reservation. This led to the Nez Perce war of 1877, which resulted in the costly Battle of the Big Hole in western Montana, and their final defeat at the Bear Paw Battlefield.

The Nez Perce National Historical Park spans four states, with most places to visit located in north-central Idaho.

Nez Perce National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Nez Perce National Historical Park Map (Requires the Adobe Reader)

Following is a list of some places of interest pertaining to the Nez Perce that are located along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Most of them are part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Big Hole National Battlefield
Heart of the Monster
Looking Glass Camp
Clearwater Battlefield
Confluence Overlook
Fort Lapwai
Weippe Prairie
Spalding Visitor Center, Nez Perce National Historical Park
Clearwater Historical Museum