2023-12-29 17:35:00
IN THE HEART OF THE STATE Welcome to Central South Dakota where life revolves around the Missouri River and its rolling hills and plains. Come explore the countryside in this no-crowd area, where small towns are the norm and a day out on the water is a must. Follow the famous Lewis & Clark Trail and Native American Scenic Byway on state highways 1804 and 1806. Find excellent hunting along the river for waterfowl, big game, and small game. The river provides various habitats for fishing enthusiasts and water sports recreation. Boats of all kinds cross these waters: from sails to motors, family pontoons to solo ski jets, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, there is a place for every kind of watercraft. Anglers love the world-class fishing up and down the river; catch walleye, perch, pike, catfish, even salmon in the deep, cold waters of Lake Oahe. Scan Here FREE Travel Guide South Dakota Missouri River Tourism PO Box 786 | Pierre, SD 57501 | 888-386-4617 SDMissouriRiver.com Along the Mighty Missouri River BUCKET LIST MUST-DOS 1 SD MISSOURI RIVER LAKES Four beautiful lakes are at the center of activity for water sports and recreation along the Missouri River. The lakes cross the line between the forested flat-lands of the humid eastern states and the arid grassy plains of the foothills and mountains of the dry western states, giving each a distinct landscape. They are Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, Lewis & Clark Lake, and if you aren’t going out on one of these waters, you can at least enjoy the view of them from the Native American Scenic Byway. 2 SUNFLOWER FIELDS In late summer and early fall, roughly end of July through August, blooming sunflower fields surround the river. Sully County is the nation’s top producer of sunflowers, the land just north of Pierre, South Dakota’s capitol. Driving through the area will give you stunning views of bobbing heads of gold for miles around – they are the perfect stop for a quick photo-shoot. Come see the Sunflower Festival in Highmore in August! 3 STARGAZING: MILKY WAY GALAXY The Missouri River region is sparsely populated even in its biggest towns. Driving just 15 - 20 minutes into the countryside, away from any dwellings, on a clear moonless night will reveal a sky full of stars and the dusty clouds of the Milky Way Galaxy, and if you’re far enough north, and lucky, the Northern Lights. 4 WESTERN RODEOS There are dozens of rodeos that take place annually across the state, varying from Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos to 4-H and high school-level events. With so many opportunities, it’s easy to “cowboy up” and add a South Dakota rodeo to your next trip’s itinerary. Fort Pierre is notable for its year-round rodeo events. 5 WACIPI: POWWOW The SD Missouri River is home to five tribes of the Oceti Sakowin nation: Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Most tribes hold annual powwows to celebrate culture, family, history, and values. Wacipi translates to “powwow”. 6 DIGNITY: OF EARTH AND SKY She casts a peaceful gaze across the waters of the Missouri River. During the day, the South Dakota wind brushes the diamonds in her star quilt, causing blue shades to twinkle in the sunlight. At night, she stands illuminated and strong. You can see the sculpture standing on the top of the bluffs in Chamberlain. 7 SD MISSOURI RIVER DAMS The four lakes are created by four dams: Oahe Dam north of Pierre and Fort Pierre, Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson, Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, and Gavins Point Dam near Yankton. These dams, run by the US Army Corps of Engineers, provide electricity and flood prevention, and are also marvelous places to visit. Oahe Dam still hosts free public tours of its power plant during the summer months. 8 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE CAPITOL BUILDING & GROUNDS The beautiful 100-year-old SD State Capitol Building stands on the well-maintained grounds around Capitol Lake. The grounds include the Flaming Fountain, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam memorials, the Fighting Stallions memorial, and several statues that are part of the Trail of Governors, which continues into downtown Pierre. Christmas at the Capitol is hosted in the building during December, where the halls are lined with wonderfully decorated Christmas trees and live music is performed daily. 9 ARTS & MUSEUMS Indulge in the local arts scene amidst the beauty of the Missouri River landscape. See the intricate and delightfully wild Walleye Up statue or the historic Oscar Howe Murals in Mobridge, the Sea of Grass Display at Timber Lake, or the Dakota Plains Gallery of Native American art in Chamberlain. There are so many great museums and historical places to see along the Missouri, featuring western and native history, artifacts, and stories. Many of these museums are free, and are great stops along the road as you travel. BEAUTIFUL LAKES, SPECTACULAR TRAILS South Dakota Missouri River Lakes LAKE OAHE This vast expanse of water 231 miles long is the largest reservoir in South Dakota, and the fourth largest man-made reservoir in the nation. With a shorelined of 2,250 miles, its beach acreage surpasses California’s coastline. Stretching from North Dakota to South Dakota’s capitol city of Pierre, its waters are pristinely clear on windless days. The reservoir is created by rolled-earth Oahe Dam, just north of Pierre and Fort Pierre (a great place to stop for stunning sunsets). Like the other reservoirs, Oahe is known for its great fishing. 2023 saw two walleye state records broken within a month of each other, the largest weighing in at 17.87 lbs caught near the Akaska area. While walleye are found in all the reservoirs, Lake Oahe is the place to fish for the big ones because of its unique ecology. Big towns along this reservoir: Pollock, Mobridge, Akaska. LAKE SHARPE Starting in Pierre and Fort Pierre, this reservoir lake runs through the heart of Lower Brule Reservation and Crow Creek Reservation. A point of interest for Lake Sharpe is the scenic Big Bend river horseshoe, a 25-mile section of river that almost makes a loop. Big Bend Dam, the hydroelectric dam that creates the reservoir lake, is named after this natural formation. The lake covers over 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of scenic shoreline. You can experience the raw beauty of this landscape by driving through it on the Native American Scenic Byway. The 101-mile route takes you to the edge of river bluffs down to the river valley bottom and up onto the high plains where you may catch a glimpse of a tribal buffalo herd. The lake was named after Merrill Q. Sharpe, the 17th Governor of South Dakota. Big towns along this reservoir: Pierre, Fort Piere, Lower Brule, Fort Thompson. LAKE FRANCIS CASE Nearly reaching the South Dakota border, Lake Francis Case is the second biggest reservoir in the state at just over 100 miles long. The Fort Randall Dam creates this reservoir, and just north of it is National Wildlife Refuge Lake Andes. The rolling prairie terrain surrounding Lake Francis Case is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and anglers. Big towns along this reservoir: Chamberain, Oacoma, Platte, Geddes, Lake Andes, Pickstown, Bonesteel. LEWIS & CLARK LAKE This 25-mile lake sits along the South Dakota-Nebraska border, ending at Gavins Point Dam, known for its signature shoreline chalky bluffs near Yankton, and its colorful sailboats. At the northern end of the lake, the Missouri River becomes its old self, narrowing and winding like what Lewis and Clark would have seen in 1804. The area is full of parks for river recreation. Big towns along this reservoir: Pickstown, Wagner, Springfield, Yankton. HUNTING CENTRAL SODAK Hunting is a long-standing tradition along the Missouri River in central South Dakota. Pheasant season brings bursts of bright orange to everyday attire – deer season sees hunters rising at 4 AM for an early start. The rolling river breaks, brush-filled draws, sprawling grasslands, and agricultural fields provide prime habitat for a variety of game species. Local hunting guides for all sorts of game can be found in towns or at their own resorts on hunting lands teeming with wildlife. Whether you come in a group or plan to traipse through the prairies on your own, always review the new state regulations for hunting any kind of game. Hunting regulations and resources are listed below. SPECIES Small Game: Pheasant, Prairie Chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Partridge, Quail, Cottontail Rabbit, Tree Squirrel Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Duck, Geese, Coot, Dove, Snipe, Tundra Swan, Sandhill Crane Predatory/Varmint/Furbearer: Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Skunk, Racoon, Badger, Opossum, Jackrabbit, Bobcat, Mink, Weasel, Beaver, Muskrat, River Otter, Prairie Dog, Gopher, Crow, Ground Squirrel, Porcupine, Marmot Large Game: White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Antelope, Turkey MAP, LICENSE, & REGULATION RESOURCES General Information: (605) 223-7660 Website: gfp.sd.gov Email: Wildinfo@state.sd.us GAME, FISH, PARKS PUBLICATIONS SD Public Hunting Atlas 2022 SD Hunting & Trapping Handbook 2022 SD Fishing Handbook 2022 Hunting publications are updated annually in August. Fishing publications are updated at the start of the year. WILDLIFE OFFICES ON THE MISSOURI Mobridge: (605) 845-7814 Ft Pierre: (605) 223-7700 Pierre: (605) 773-3387 Chamberlain: (605) 734-4530 FISHING THE MIGHTY MO The reservoirs of the Missouri River offer vast expanses of open water along with secluded channels and remote bays. With so much area to explore, Missouri River anglers enjoy uncrowded waters and plenty of fish species to chase. Local fishing guides can be found up and down the river, individual guides as well as resort and group guides. SPECIES Walleye: The most popular fish on the river, it can be found in any area. Catfish: A variety of species live in the Missouri, some favoring the warmer waters of Lewis & Clark lake. Chinook Salmon: Fisheries introduced this variety of salmon to Lake Oahe in recent years. The chinook salmon live in the cold, deep waters of the lake for most of the year, only ranging north in fall. Because of the dams, chinook salmon is only found in Lake Oahe. Northern Pike: This large fish is very common along the Missouri. They are an ambush predator found in vegetation or submerged trees Burbot: This fish loves the big Missouri River reservoirs. They spawn in the fall and are the only freshwater member of the cod family. Largemouth Bass: Abundant in warm water ponds, lakes and impoundments especially those containing submerged vegetation. Small and Bigmouth Buffalo: The largest species in the “sucker” family, and one of the longest-lived, capable of living 127 years. Rainbow Trout: Fisheries stock this trout all along the river. Yellow Perch: Yellow Perch are found statewide in cool water habitats of rivers, lakes and impoundments. TRIBES ALONG THE MISSOURI The Native American Scenic Byway highway provides the opportunity to see the lands of five tribal reservations bordering the river. The five allied tribes are known as the Oceti Sakowin Nation, speaking three dialects: Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota. STANDING ROCK TRIBE Part of the Standing Rock Reservation is in central northern SD, made up of four bands of Dakota and Lakota people. Byway Stops: Sitting Bull Monument, Sacagawea Monument, Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway, Klein Museum. Standing Rock Tourism Office: standingrocktourism.com CHEYENNE RIVER TRIBE The largest reservation in the state, just south of Standing Rock Reservation, four bands of Lakota reside here. Byway Stops: HV Johnson Lakota Cultural Center, Sea of Grass Display at the Timber Lake & Area Museum. Cheyenne River Tribal Office: (605) 964-4155 | sioux.org Cheyenne River GFP: crstgfp.com CROW CREEK TRIBE Sitting northeast of Lake Sharpe in the middle of the state, the area is split into three community districts: Fort Thompson, Big Bend, and Crow Creek. Byway Stops: Spirit of the Circle Monument, Oscar Howe Art Gallery at the Dakota Prairie Museum, Buffalo Herd. Crow Creek Tribal Office (605) 245-2221 | crowcreekconnections.org YANKTON TRIBE Located above and along Lewis & Clark Lake, the tribe were the first to meet Lewis & Clark on their expedition up the Missouri in 1804. It has since been called the “Land of Friendly People”. Byway Stops: Struck by the Ree Monument, Treaty of 1858 Monument, Lewis & Clark Visitor Center, Fort Randall Casino & Hotel, Buffalo Herd. Yankton Tribal Office: (605) 384-3641 Yankton Sioux GFP: yanktonsiouxgamefishandparks.com LOWER BRULE TRIBE Southwest of Lake Sharpe and the Crow Creek Reservation in the Big Bend area, the Lower Brule Tribe hosts an annual wacipi (powwow), fair and rodeo. Hunting and fishing are available as well; see their Department of Wildlife for more details. Byway Stops: Big Bend, Narrows Historical Interpretive Area, Bison Herd, Lower Brule Buffalo Interpretive Center, Dignity: Of Earth & Sky, Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts, Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center. Lower Brule Tribal Office (605) 473-5561 | lowerbrulesiouxtribe.com Lower Brule Wildlife, Fish and Recreation lowerbrulewildlife.com ARTIFACTS & RUINS The ancestors of today’s tribes left many artifacts and ruins behind. Resist the impulse to pick up ancient souvenirs. Native American remains and artifacts are protected federally. What to See and Do in Small and Charming RIVER CITIES & DOWNTOWNS PIERRE & FORT PIERRE Settled along the waters of Lake Sharpe, Pierre and Fort Pierre (both pronounced like pier) are the twin cities of central SoDak. Pierre is the capital of South Dakota, second smallest state capital by population in the United States, and Fort Pierre is its historic-centered sister, preserving many landmark sites and buildings. The towns, separated by the Missouri River, mark the line between Central and Mountain time zones. Lake Oahe is just 10 minutes north of either city, and residents and visitors play, hunt, and fish on both bodies of water. Pierre is the place for sports like professional baseball, while Fort Pierre takes to the arena for rodeos. On either side of the river, buffalo, mule deer, and pheasants roam the fields; on the river, bald eagles hunt and beavers make dams in the reeds; walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and salmon swim the waters of Lake Oahe. POINTS OF INTEREST ◆ Capital Building and Grounds ◆ Christmas at the Capitol ◆ Trail of Governors ◆ Oahe Dam and Power Plant ◆ Oahe Downstream RA ◆ Farm Island RA ◆ La Framboise Island ◆ Verendrye Momument ◆ Fort Pierre National Grasslands ◆ Lewis & Clark Trail CHAMBERLAIN & OACOMA Another set of twin towns, two bridges connect these communities sharing the banks of Lake Francis Case. Hunting, fishing, water sports and camping are all favorite past-times here, and it’s an excellent spot for them. Chamberlain’s downtown is full of unassuming little shops that house hidden treasures - open a door and never fail to be amazed by what’s inside. ◆ Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center ◆ Dignity: Of Earth & Sky ◆ SD Hall of Fame ◆ Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts PLATTE A small town in big land, this spot on the Missouri is picturesque and peaceful. Fishing, hunting, and camping enthusiasts congregate here, and it’s easy to see why. Visitors can stay at a hunting or fishing lodge out in the total quiet of the country, but just be five minutes away from the comforts of a hospitable downtown when they want a little bit of bustle or good food. ◆ Snake Creek Recreation Area ◆ Platte Creek Recreation Area WINNER Known for its prime hunting grounds, this small but mighty town is west of the river in the heart of farmland. Its warm, friendly atmosphere attracts visitors who like to stay off the beaten path. POLLOCK The northernmost river town in South Dakota, Pollock is happily situated on the edge of a long bay of Lake Oahe. On its east side is Lake Pocasse, home to wildlife refuges. The area is a great place to camp, hunt, fish, and recreate in the midst of the natural, rugged beauty of the Missouri and the prairies. MOBRIDGE The past and present meet here in north central Sodak. Known for its incredible display of modern architecture jutting across the Mighty Mo, the name perfectly describes one of its most defining features: bridges. It may best be known for pristine fishing conditions as it sits on the northern shores of Lake Oahe, bordering North Dakota; the Walleye Up statue pays homage to its fishing reputation. Rodeos, ice fishing tournaments, hunting, and camping all await you in Mobridge! ◆ Sitting Bull Monument ◆ Sacagawea Monument ◆ Walleye Up Statue ◆ Oscar Howe Murals ROADTRIP THROUGH THE PRAIRIES, OVER THE RIVER NATIVE AMERICAN SCENIC BYWAY: HIGHWAYS 1804 & 1806 These two state highways follow the Missouri River north to south, crossing it sometimes over bridges, but most of it cutting right among the scenic rolling hills lining the river valley. It’s a smooth cruise and a gorgeous one, treating you to sights you won’t get on the interstate. The Scenic Byway runs through all five tribal lands on the Missouri and many historic towns. This route is squarely in the road-less-traveled club; it is long and rustic and unlike any other. LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL Lewis and Clark’s exploratory journey up the Missouri River spanned from 1804 - 1806: the highways numerated after them mark this trail. The Lewis & Clark Trail coincides with much of the Native American Scenic Byway. There are bike routes and walking paths in many of the riverside towns more closely following the river, and marking places of historic significance along the way. See the Bad River in Fort Pierre from the Bad River bridge in town. Visit Calumet Bluff and hike its trail right next to Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, and Spirit Mound State Historic Prairie just north of Vermillion. For an amazing view, find The Narrows, a thin strip of land forming part of the Big Bend in the Missouri River, north of Chamberlain near Lower Brule. This is the largest naturally occurring bend in any river system in the United States. Overlooks of the bend can be found at West Bend Recreation Area, as well as along 1806 on the west side of the river. The Narrows Recreation Area, on the Narrows itself, is tribal land and you must first obtain a permit from the Lower brule Sioux Tribe Department of Wildlife, Fish & Recreation. You can read about how to access The Narrows Recreation Area here: lowerbrulewildlife.com/recreation-access/ EVENTS ON THE MISSOURI Local events are happening all the time, especially in the spring, summer and fall when the weather is sunny and dry. Visit our website to find events in the places you want to visit before you start your trip! ◆ FISHING TOURNAMENTS: SPRING - FALL ◆ RODEOS: SPRING - FALL ◆ SCAVENGER’S JOURNEY: JUNE ◆ SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL: AUGUST ◆ ROOSTER RUSH: OCTOBER ◆ CHRISTMAS AT THE CAPITOL: DECEMBER
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