Lewis and Clark Map Worksheet with Answer Key by Social Studies Sheets - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step through each question using the map and background info provided.

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1. Who were Lewis and Clark?
From the text: President Thomas Jefferson sent them to explore the Louisiana Territory after buying it from France in 1803. They were explorers chosen to lead an expedition westward.

→ Answer: Lewis and Clark were explorers sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory.

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2. What was Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis and Clark?
The text says: “He instructed them to study the land, its people, animals, and plants they encountered.” Also, he asked if there was a waterway from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.

→ Answer: Jefferson told them to study the land, people, animals, and plants — and to find out if there was a water route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.

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3. Where did Lewis and Clark start their journey from?
Looking at the map: The red line (their route) starts near St. Louis, Missouri. The key also shows “Start of Expedition” near St. Louis.

→ Answer: They started their journey from St. Louis, Missouri.

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4. Based on the map, what did Lewis and Clark utilize for traveling?
The map shows rivers like the Mississippi River and Missouri River along their path. The legend includes “River Route,” and their trail follows rivers closely.

→ Answer: They used rivers (like the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers) to travel.

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5. What present-day state did Lewis and Clark travel in?
Looking at the map: Their route goes through areas that are now states like Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. But since the question asks for *one* present-day state, we can pick any one clearly shown — for example, Missouri (where they started), or Oregon (where they ended).

But note: The map labels “Louisiana Purchase” area, which covers many modern states. Since the route begins in Missouri and ends in Oregon, both are correct. Let’s pick Oregon, as it’s where they reached the Pacific.

Wait — actually, looking again: The map shows their full route ending at the Pacific coast, labeled “Pacific Ocean,” and the last part is in what is now Oregon/Washington. The map doesn’t label modern state names, but historically, they traveled through many. However, since the question says “what present-day state,” singular, and based on common knowledge + map endpoint, Oregon is acceptable.

But let’s check the map carefully: The final destination is marked near the mouth of the Columbia River — that’s in present-day Oregon.

→ Answer: Oregon (also acceptable: Missouri, Montana, etc., but Oregon is the endpoint).

Actually, to be safe and accurate based on standard curriculum: They traveled through many present-day states, but since the question likely expects one, and the map shows the end point clearly in the northwest, Oregon is fine.

Alternatively, perhaps the teacher expects Missouri as the starting point? But the question doesn’t specify start or end.

Looking back at the map: The route passes through labeled regions like “Great Plains,” “Rocky Mountains,” then to “Pacific Coast.” Modern states include MO, NE, SD, ND, MT, ID, WA, OR.

Since the question says “what present-day state” (singular), and no specific instruction, I’ll choose Oregon as it’s the westernmost and clearly shown.

But wait — maybe the best answer is Missouri, because that’s where they started and it’s explicitly labeled on the map (“St. Louis, Missouri”).

Actually, re-reading the question: “What present-day state did Lewis and Clark travel in?” — implies at least one. Any is correct. But to match the map’s clear labeling, Missouri is safest.

However, in most textbooks, they emphasize they went all the way to the Pacific — so Oregon is also very common.

I think either is acceptable, but let’s go with Oregon since the map shows them reaching the Pacific coast there.

Wait — correction: Looking at the map again, the endpoint is labeled “Fort Clatsop” near the Pacific — that’s in present-day Oregon.

✔ Final decision: Oregon

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6. What mountains did Lewis and Clark cross?
On the map, between the Great Plains and the Pacific Coast, there’s a shaded area labeled “Rocky Mountains.” Their route goes right through it.

→ Answer: Rocky Mountains

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7. Based on the map, what body of water did Lewis and Clark reach?
At the end of their route, the map shows them arriving at the “Pacific Ocean.”

→ Answer: Pacific Ocean

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8. Based on the map, is there a direct waterway from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean?
The map shows their route going up the Missouri River, then overland across the Rockies, then down the Columbia River to the Pacific. There’s no single river connecting St. Louis directly to the Pacific — they had to portage (carry boats) over land in the mountains.

Also, the text says Jefferson asked them to find out *if* there was such a waterway — implying it wasn’t known, and they discovered there wasn’t.

→ Answer: No, there is not a direct waterway. They had to travel over land across the Rocky Mountains.

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Now, compiling all answers:

Final Answer:
1. Lewis and Clark were explorers sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory.
2. Jefferson instructed them to study the land, people, animals, and plants, and to find out if there was a water route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.
3. They started their journey from St. Louis, Missouri.
4. They utilized rivers (such as the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers) for traveling.
5. Oregon (or Missouri — both are correct; Oregon is the endpoint shown on the map).
6. Rocky Mountains
7. Pacific Ocean
8. No, there is not a direct waterway from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.