Climb the observation tower where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers physically merge, then visit the reconstructed Camp River Dubois where the expedition wintered.
What to expect
A short drive from Alton brings you to the 150-foot Confluence Tower, where glass elevators rise past interpretive panels to an open-air deck overlooking the exact point where the muddy Missouri meets the clearer Mississippi. Afterward, the nearby Lewis and Clark State Historic Site offers a reconstructed fort and museum detailing the expedition's 1803-04 winter encampment. Both sites are quiet, well-maintained, and rarely crowded.
Good to know
About 15 minutes from Alton; visit the tower first while morning light is best for the confluence colors, then the historic site. Allow 2 hours total.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Alton — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.