Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation

Our Mission

Treasures of the Trail

Tourism Impact

Membership Information

The North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan are located 38 miles north of Bismarck, and 69 miles south of Minot, on US Highway 83. Both sites are premier Lewis & Clark Trail attractions and the larger cities of Bismarck and Minot are the “gateways” to the sites, providing the bulk of lodging, restaurants, and other necessary travel infrastructure to accommodate visitors.

The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial years of 2003 through 2006 are expected to be a boon for North Dakota tourism, with thousands of new and returning visitors. The Interpretive Center opened in 1997, and since then visitation has come from all 50 states, every Canadian province, and now over 50 foreign countries. With national and international media attention focused on this great national commemoration, Fort Mandan and North Dakota are prominently featured. North Dakota stands to benefit for generations to come, following all of the exposure the sites and state will receive during the Bicentennial.

This area's economy has always been commodity-based agriculture and energy. Nearby power plants and coal mines are the primary employer in the area. The agricultural economy has always been cyclical, with farmers' fortunes tied to the price of grain and cattle. Greater diversification in the state's economy has long been a goal of government and industry.

Tourism is among North Dakota's largest industries, and the fastest growing. “Heritage Tourism” has become an exciting dynamic within the tourism industry. The state offers a great variety of historic sites, from Lewis & Clark to Sakakawea to Teddy Roosevelt, General Custer, and Sitting Bull. The Foundation works very closely with other non-profit foundations that maintain historic sites within this historic corridor, to attract additional visitors to the region.

North Dakota has a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase itself to
the world. The Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation is
taking the lead, working with local, state, and federal agencies, tribal
governments, and other entities to ensure that the economic impact of
this opportunity is maximized. The benefits of the Foundation's
activities will be felt for years to come, far beyond 2006.