Lewis and Clark Confluence Historical Marker — Attraction in Wood River

There really isn't a marker, but there are stone benches with quotes from historical figures. The path to the "marker" is an old paved road that's being used as a 1.1-mile trail to almost the confluence point of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Within one-tenth of a mile from the point, the path is a grassy walkway. It's quiet and peaceful, but it's also claustrophobic with heavy brush on both sides of the trail for most of the way. Once at this particular confluence point (there's more than one), it's easy to see that two rivers are merging, but I think there's a much more impressive and impactful view of this merging at the confluence point within the Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park. The drive to the start of this Columbia Bottom CA trail is nice, and I recommend stopping at the observation platform ("Sunflower Viewing Platform" on Google Maps). Even without sunflowers, it's a lovely...

August 2024 I was able to walk down the closed road with no issues. The last stretch from the former parking lot to the viewing area is grassy and somewhat overgrown but walkable. I didn't see the marker at all. The viewing platform looks like it once had railings but they're gone now, so it's just an open drop to the river. The actual trail is almost entirely...

The trail and the roads are austere to say the least. It would be nice if the meeting point of the two largest rivers in North America were a national park and better maintained. However, when the weather is dry, it does make for a nice experience. Just bring plenty of water on a hot day and don’t expect any bathroom facilities because they...