Statement of Significance (as of designation - October 9, 1960):
Campsite where Lewis and Clark stopped before crossing the Bitterroot Mountains on their 1805 trip west and on their return the next year.

Condition:
Since the last report, the boundary of the Traveler’s Rest NHL nomination has been revised to include the actual site of the Lewis and Clark encampment, based on recent archeological investigations. Most of the new site is within the boundary of Travelers’ Rest State Park, owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Recent developments at the NHL have impacted the site’s integrity. In 2006, a new bridge was constructed across Lolo Creek, on the edge of the NHL boundary. As part of the bridge project, a construction road was built across the Lewis and Clark encampment portion of the NHL. Although some measures were taken to protect the archeological resources during construction, the road is a significant impact on the site’s integrity and viewshed. In addition, commercial and private development is occurring on lands surrounding the site, which could eventually affect the viewshed. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with the Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association, is preparing a cultural resource management plan for Travelers' Rest State Park with assistance from the NPS and the Montana SHPO, which will help address these issues.

Recommendation/Change since last report:
In order to help restore the physical integrity and viewshed of the NHL, the construction road and bridge need to be removed. Implementation of the cultural resource management plan, when completed, will benefit the NHL.