Lewis and Clark State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Lewis and Clark State Park — a small Missouri River bottomland park at Rushville in northwest Missouri, on the oxbow lake the 1804 expedition named “Gosling Lake”. 70-site year-round campground with 50-amp and full-hookup sites, a 0.9-mile interpretive trail, free entry. ⚠️ The lake is currently dry because of prolonged drought — no water activities are available. Verified with Missouri State Parks as of August 2026.
On July 4, 1804, the Corps of Discovery passed this stretch of the Missouri, and William Clark recorded an oxbow lake “full of Geese & Goslings.” The name stuck. Today Lewis and Clark State Park wraps around that lake bed with a campground shaded by bottomland cottonwoods and a level loop trail through the river-bottom woods and open fields that still draw geese, great blue herons, eagles, swans and snowy egrets. Be clear-eyed about the present, though: Missouri State Parks reports that prolonged drought has left the lake dry, so boating, fishing and swimming are off the table until water returns. What remains is a quiet, inexpensive base camp with a campground that stays open all winter.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 801 Lakecrest Blvd., Rushville, MO 64484 — Buchanan County |
| Hours | Park grounds 7 a.m. to sunset, daily, year-round; buildings closed on state holidays |
| Admission | Free — Missouri state parks charge no entrance fee |
| Lake status | ⚠️ Dry due to prolonged drought; no water activities (official notice, August 2026) |
| Phone | 816-579-5564 · Camping reservations 877-422-6766 |
| Official site | mostateparks.com — Lewis and Clark State Park |
Gosling Lake Trail
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Length | 0.9 mile loop from the main trailhead (1.30 miles from the campground trailhead), plus a 0.1-mile interpretive spur |
| Rating | Easy — estimated hiking time 27 minutes |
| Surface | Gravel/compacted limestone with a short paved section from the campground; yellow blazes |
| Uses | Hiking and hardened-surface biking |
| Trailheads | Lewis and Clark Interpretive Plaza (39.53913, -95.05467) and the campground (39.53545, -95.06161) |
The trail starts at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Plaza, where a 0.1-mile spur tells the story of the expedition’s journey up the Missouri, then loops around the former fish hatchery through wooded river-bottom habitat and open fields — a good setting for both resident and migratory birds. Expect gravel, occasional roots and one road crossing.
Camping
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sites | 70 numbered sites: basic, 30-amp electric, 50-amp electric and sewer/electric/water; pull-through sites available |
| 2026 rates (on-season Apr 15–Oct 31 / off-season) | Basic $15 / $14 · Electric 30-amp $27 / $23 · Electric 50-amp $29 / $25 · Sewer/electric/water 50-amp $35 / $29 (rates include sales tax) |
| Discount | $2/night year-round for seniors 65+, persons with disabilities, military and veterans — ask at payment with proof |
| Services | Showerhouse and modern restrooms Apr 15–Oct 31; dump station; off-season potable water from the frost-free spigot at the dump station near the entrance |
| Reservations | icampmo or 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766), up to 12 months ahead; max 15 nights in any 30 days |
| Pets | Leash no longer than 10 feet, supervised at all times; the park recommends no more than two dogs per site |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish or boat at Lewis and Clark State Park right now?
No. Missouri State Parks reports the lake is currently dry because of prolonged drought, and no water activities are available (as of August 2026). Check the park’s advisories page for updates.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Missouri state parks are free to enter; you pay only for camping.
Is the campground open in winter?
Yes, year-round. From Nov. 1 to April 14 the showerhouse is closed and rates drop (basic $14, 50-amp electric $25, full hookup $29); water comes from the frost-free spigot at the dump station.
More parks nearby: Weston Bend State Park overlooks the Missouri River to the south, and Watkins Mill State Park near Lawson preserves a 19th-century woolen mill.
Editorial note: Site count is taken from the January 2026 official campground map (sites numbered 1–70); rates from the 2026 camping-rates sheet; trail data from the Gosling Lake Trail details sheet; hours and the drought notice from mostateparks.com, all checked August 2026.
⛺ Camping at Lewis and Clark State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 70 sites — Basic, electric (30-amp and 50-amp) and sewer/electric/water sites; 70 numbered sites on the 2026 campground map; pull-through sites available |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets allowed on leashes no longer than 10 feet, supervised at all times; no more than two dogs per site recommended |
| Reservations | icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb (park 54) or 877-422-6766, up to 12 months in advance |
| Special sites | 2026 rates: basic $15 on-season/$14 off; 30-amp electric $27/$23; 50-amp electric $29/$25; sewer/electric/water 50-amp $35/$29; $2/night discount for 65+, disabled, military and veterans; max 15 nights in any 30 days |
| Season notes | Open year-round; showerhouse and water Apr 15–Oct 31; off-season potable water only at the frost-free spigot at the dump station |
Camping questions about Lewis and Clark State Park
Can you camp at Lewis and Clark State Park?
Yes. Lewis and Clark State Park has 70 campsites. Basic, electric (30-amp and 50-amp) and sewer/electric/water sites; 70 numbered sites on the 2026 campground map; pull-through sites available.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lewis and Clark State Park?
icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb (park 54) or 877-422-6766, up to 12 months in advance.
Are pets allowed at the Lewis and Clark State Park campground?
Pets allowed on leashes no longer than 10 feet, supervised at all times; no more than two dogs per site recommended.
Source: mostateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lewis and Clark State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri state parks and historic sites, with pets leashed and under control.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not longer than 10 feet required at all times; portable fences and shock collars do not satisfy the requirement.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in public swimming areas or on beaches.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- The 'Cabins for Canines' program opens about 30% of lodging units to dogs (max two dogs per unit) at roughly 15 participating parks including Lake of the Ozarks, Bennett Spring, Echo Bluff and Roaring River; per-dog per-night fee varies by unit type.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; Cabins for Canines charges a per-dog, per-night lodging fee (varies by unit).
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Maximum two dogs per campsite; pets not allowed inside any park building.
Are dogs allowed at Lewis and Clark State Park?
Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri state parks and historic sites, with pets leashed and under control. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via mostateparks.com. More: Missouri state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Lewis and Clark State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
