Sacajawea State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacajawea Historical State Park |
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![]() Sacajawea Interpretive Center
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Location | Franklin, Washington, United States |
Area | 267 acres (108 ha) |
Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
Established | 1931 |
Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
Website | Sacajawea Historical State Park |
Sacajawea State Park is a cool place in Pasco, Washington. It's a park where you can have fun outdoors and learn about history. The park covers about 267 acres (that's like 200 football fields!). It's located right where two big rivers, the Snake and Columbia rivers, meet.
This spot is super important because the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition camped here on October 16, 1805. The park is named after Sacagawea, a brave Shoshone woman who helped Lewis and Clark on their journey. She was married to Toussaint Charbonneau, who was an interpreter for the expedition. Inside the park, you can visit the Sacajawea Interpretive Center. It has awesome exhibits that tell you all about Sacagawea and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
How Sacajawea State Park Started
Sacajawea State Park has an interesting past! It began as a tiny piece of land, just one acre, given in 1927. A group called the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington, from Pasco, really cared for this land. They wanted to protect the exact spot where Lewis and Clark had camped.
Thanks to their hard work, this special place officially became a state park in 1931. A few years later, in 1938, workers from a program called the WPA helped build the park's museum and three other buildings. These buildings are still part of the park today!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Sacajawea State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures! You can enjoy a picnic with your family or friends. There are also trails perfect for hiking and exploring nature.
If you love being on the water, you can go boating, fishing, or even swimming in the rivers. The park is also the starting point for the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. This is a paved path that's perfect for riding your bike and connects to other towns in the Tri-Cities area. There's even a special campsite just for people who are paddling along the Northwest Discovery Water Trail.