Lewis and Clark Word Search

BEARGRASS – A hardy plant with long, tough leaves found in the Pacific Northwest. Lewis and Clark documented it during their expedition, noting that Native Americans used it for weaving baskets and other crafts.

BISON – Large, shaggy mammals that roamed the Great Plains in enormous herds. The expedition relied on bison as a vital food source and observed their behavior extensively throughout the journey westward.

CANOE – A lightweight boat essential for river travel. The Corps of Discovery used dugout canoes carved from large trees to navigate western rivers, especially after crossing the Rocky Mountains toward the Pacific.

CLARK – William Clark, co-leader of the expedition alongside Meriwether Lewis. He was an experienced frontiersman and skilled mapmaker whose detailed charts of the western territory proved invaluable for future exploration.

COMPASS – A navigational instrument used to determine direction. Lewis and Clark relied on compasses along with other tools like sextants and chronometers to chart their course across the uncharted American wilderness.

CORPS – Short for the Corps of Discovery, the official name of the expedition group. It consisted of approximately thirty-three members including soldiers, interpreters, and York, Clark’s enslaved servant.

EAGLE – A majestic bird of prey frequently observed and recorded during the expedition. Lewis documented bald eagles and golden eagles in his detailed journals, contributing to early American ornithological knowledge.

ELK – A large species of deer found throughout the western territories. Elk provided the expedition with meat, hides for clothing, and materials for shelter, making them one of the most important game animals.

EXPLORER – A person who travels through unfamiliar regions to learn about them. Lewis and Clark are among America’s most famous explorers, having journeyed from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back.

FUR TRADE – The commercial exchange of animal pelts that drove much of western exploration. One goal of the expedition was to establish trade relationships with Native American tribes and find routes for fur trading.

GRIZZLY – A powerful subspecies of brown bear encountered in the western wilderness. The expedition had several dangerous encounters with grizzly bears, and Lewis provided some of the first detailed scientific descriptions of them.

JEFFERSON – Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States who commissioned the expedition. He envisioned exploring the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase and finding a practical water route to the Pacific Ocean.

JOURNAL – Written records kept by members of the expedition documenting their travels. Lewis and Clark’s journals contain detailed observations about geography, wildlife, plants, weather, and encounters with Native American peoples.

KEELBOAT – A large, flat-bottomed riverboat used in the early stages of the journey. The expedition’s keelboat carried supplies up the Missouri River from St. Louis to Fort Mandan before being sent back east.

LEWIS – Meriwether Lewis, co-leader of the expedition and personal secretary to President Jefferson. He was chosen for his scientific knowledge, military experience, and wilderness skills to lead the historic journey.

MAPS – Cartographic representations of territory explored during the expedition. William Clark created remarkably accurate maps of the western landscape that served as essential references for settlers and explorers for decades afterward.

MISSOURI – The longest river in North America, serving as the expedition’s primary route westward. The Corps of Discovery traveled up the Missouri River from its mouth near St. Louis deep into the northern plains.

OTTER – A semi-aquatic mammal prized for its dense, waterproof fur. Lewis and Clark frequently noted otters along rivers and streams, and otter pelts were highly valued in the fur trade economy of the era.

PELTS – Animal skins or hides, especially those with fur still attached. The expedition collected pelts and specimens to send back to President Jefferson as evidence of the rich natural resources found in western territories.

PIROGUE – A flat-bottomed boat similar to a large canoe, often carved from a single tree trunk. The expedition used two pirogues alongside the keelboat during the early portion of their journey up the Missouri.

RIVER – A natural flowing waterway, central to the expedition’s travel strategy. Lewis and Clark navigated numerous rivers including the Missouri, Columbia, Clearwater, and Snake as they sought a water route to the Pacific.

SACAGAWEA – A young Lemhi Shoshone woman who served as interpreter and guide for the expedition. Her knowledge of terrain, languages, and plant life proved essential, and her presence signaled peaceful intentions to Native tribes.

SUPPLIES – The provisions, equipment, and trade goods carried on the expedition. These included weapons, medicines, scientific instruments, food, clothing, and gifts like beads and medals intended for Native American leaders.

TRAIL – A path or route through wilderness territory. The Lewis and Clark Trail stretches over eight thousand miles across the United States and is now preserved as a National Historic Trail for public education.