South Dakota Vacation Guide • 2026 South Dakota Vacation Guide • MISSOURI RIVER

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 tour up and down the banks of the Missouri River, or drive through tribal lands on the Native American Scenic Byway. Driving through on I-90? Stop at the beloved Dignity: Of Earth & Sky statue in Chamberlain. The whole Missouri River valley has excellent hunting grounds in its prairies; upland birds, big game and small game can all be had here. On the water, fishing is exceptional, and amid the rugged, rolling hills, the camping is breathtaking. To travel this wonderful river region, use the QR code below to request a full, free Missouri River Travel Guide.

Explore Central South Dakota where the river runs through the heart of the state, tying together western, eastern, and Native cultures.

Explore the Missouri River in South Dakota with the Missouri River Getaway Passport, a free, mobile-exclusive guide hosted by Travel South Dakota that helps you find scenic views, historic sites, charming small towns, and outdoor adventures while earning points toward exciting prizes. Use the QR code to sign up and start exploring!

Sign up for a chance to win a FREE vacation to explore the Missouri River. Prize trips include a Family Vacation and 2-Day Fishing Trip. Hunting enthusiasts can try their luck by entering for the Huntsman’s Drawing! Use the QR code to visit the Vacation Giveaway Sign-Up Page and choose a giveaway package.

1 GREAT LAKES Four beautiful lakes are at the center of activity for water sports and recreation along the Missouri River: Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake. The lakes cross the line between the forested flat-lands of the humid east coast and the arid grassy plains of the foothills and mountains of the dry-climate midwest, giving each lake a distinct landscape. If you aren’t going out on the water, you can enjoy the view of the river valley from historic highways 1804 and 1806 on the Lewis & Clark Trail and Native American Scenic Byway. See more about the NASB on page 200.

2 GRAND DAMS The four lakes are reservoirs created by four hydroelectric dams: Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam, Fort Randall Dam, and Gavins Point Dam. These dams are engineering marvels and stunning places to visit. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center is open year-round and features the history of the making of the dam, as well as lots of local travel information. It’s a great stop if you have questions about the area.

3 LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL Historic highways SD 1804 and 1806 are named for Lewis and Clark’s journey up and down the Missouri River in those years. The trail overlaps with much of the Native American Scenic Byway, which passes through tribal lands. Both scenic roadtrips showcase the breath-taking beauty of the river valley landscape - rolling hills, high bluffs, sweeping prairies, and the vast waters of the reservoirs. See page 196 for more roadtrip details.

4 SD STATE CAPITOL BUILDING At 100 years old, the SD State Capitol Building is a historic landmark and active home of state government, displaying the life and times of South Dakota’s legislature and governors. The Capitol Building is open year-round to visitors. Outside on the grounds are various memorials: the Flaming Fountain, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam memorials, the Fighting Stallions, and several life-sized statues of past SD governors, part of the Trail of Governors walking tour. If you visit during the holiday season, the festive Christmas at the Capitol will be bustling with live entertainment and full of spectacular Christmas trees in the Capitol rotunda.

5 WILD WESTERN RODEOS Dozens of rodeos take place annually across the state, from horse races and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events, to 4H and high school rodeos. With so many opportunities, it’s easy to “cowboy up” and add a South Dakota rodeo to your trip’s itinerary.

6 MARVELOUS MUSEUMS Local museums, historic buildings, and monuments are plentiful in central SoDak, featuring western culture history, Native American history of the Great Plains people, local history, artifacts, fossils, and stories. Many of these museums are free and very unique, displaying history and artifacts from their own area, and make great stops on a roadtrip. Unique finds at: Dakota Sunset Museum, Klein Museum, Timber Lake and Area Museum, the SD Tractor Museum, SD National Guard Museum, SD Cultural Heritage Center, SD Hall of Fame, the Pickstown Museum, and the Verendrye Museum.

7 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”. See page 200 for more information on native travel.

8 ARTS 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 art timeline at Timber Lake museum, the Dakota Plains Gallery of Native American art and the Dignity: of Earth & Sky statue in Chamberlain.

9 SUNFLOWERS The sunflower blooming season is between July and August, and rural central SoDak is full of the golden flower. Driving through Sully, Hyde, Hughes, and Stanley Counties, the area smack dab in the middle of the state, will give you stunning views of bobbing heads of gold for miles around - they are the perfect stop for a quick photo-shoot. The town of Highmore puts on a Sunflower Festival in August, where you can tour local sunflower fields.

10 STARGAZING The Missouri River region is sparsely populated even in its biggest towns. Driving 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.

11 VENTURE TO AN EVENT The local scene for celebrations, festivals, tournaments and shows is ripe with opportunities for joining in! Find fishing tournaments for walleye and bass on the river in every season, attend a rodeo on the 4th of July, or check out a local antique market while roadtripping through.

The Missouri River in South Dakota is separated into four reservoirs by four hydroelectric dams, creating a unique river system not seen in other states: we have winding riverways and big lake waters at the same time.

Lake Oahe: The largest reservoir at 231 miles long, known for its lively salmon, record-breaking walleye and ice fishing, massive Lake Oahe is an adventure to explore, offering amazing fishing, hunting, camping and water recreation.

Lake Sharpe: Small but mighty, Sharpe is a hotspot on the river, boasting all outdoor activities with Pierre and Fort Pierre conveniently located at the northern top of the reservoir.

Lake Francis Case: Long and languid, there are many places to camp and play along its banks; excellent hunting can be enjoyed along either side of its banks.

Lewis & Clark Lake: Short and sweet, this little lake is a favorite spot for camping, sailing and water recreation. The lake is south of a thin, winding section called the Missouri National Recreational River.

MIGHTY MO FISHING

The reservoirs of the Missouri River offer endless 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 accommodate your solo fishing trip, group trip, corporate outing, and some offer resort lodging and meal packages.

Spring: A favorite time to fish in South Dakota, when the weather is chilly but not too cold or hot.

Species move in spawn patterns, swimming upriver to the north ends of the reservoirs. Water levels are typically high in the spring. Fishing tournaments begin in spring and happen throughout the summer.

Summer: Fish spread out in the water as temperatures rise, flowing back south on the reservoir systems. Water levels vary as dams release water based on the needs of the systems.

Fall: The Fall Bite is a popular time for another wave of fishing, when the weather cools. Historically, fall is the season for catching record-breaking walleye. The salmon spawn on Lake Oahe takes off in October.

Winter: Ice-fishing can happen on all lakes, typically after the holidays when South Dakota’s extreme temperatures provide optimal conditions for thick ice.

Resident Licenses: One-Day, Annual, Combination, Senior Combo, Senior Annual, Habitat Stamp

See the Public Water Access Map on the SD GFP website under Maps on their homepage navigation bar for accessible boat ramps, shore fishing, ice fishing, streams, and ramp closures.

Fishing and Parks publications are updated every year and published at the beginning of the year. See these handbooks for regulations, licensing, limits, boat ramps, docks, fisheries and species information.

HUNTING HEAVEN

South Dakota boasts 5 million acres of private and public hunting land, including walk-in areas, game production areas, wildlife refuges, national grasslands, and more.

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.

In Central SoDak, there are many experienced guides and outfitters equipped with the know-how and personality to make a memorable trip. Guides and outfitters can be found in town or at private lodges and resorts. These guides have access to thousands of acres of hunting preserves and private grounds.

Upland Birds: Ring-necked Pheasant, Prairie Chicken, Sharptailed Grouse, Greater Sage Grouse, Gray Partridge, Chukar

Small Game: Prairie Dog, Tree & Ground Squirrel, Cottontail Rabbit, Gopher, Marmot, Porcupine

Furbearer: Mink, Weasel, Beaver, River Otter, Bobcat, Red & Grey Fox, Badger, Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, Jackrabbit, Coyote

Nonresident Licenses: Small Game, Waterfowl, State Migratory Bird Certificate, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Predator/Varmint (hunt or trap), Furbearer (hunt or trap), Shooting Preserve, Big Game and Tags, Habitat Stamp

Resident Licenses: Small Game, 1-Day Small Game, Combination, Combination Senior, State Migratory Bird Certificate, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, Predator/ Varmint (hunt or trap), Furbearer (hunt or trap), Big Game and Tags, Habitat Stamp

Youth Resident: Youth Small Game (12-17), some species require no license for resident youth under 18

Hunting publications are updated every year and published in August, right before fall hunting seasons begin. See these handbooks for regulations, licensing, limits, public hunting lands, seasons, maps, species and other useful information.

THE LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

These highways are named after the years Lewis and Clark journeyed to the Pacific Ocean, winding through excessively beautiful and engaging landscape. These highways buck and twist, peak and sweep, glide along river valley lows and rise on high prairies. These highways are worth the scenic drive alone, though there is much more gold to discover in them there rolling hills.

Chamberlain, Oacoma, & Dignity: A very popular stop, driving through these river towns on I-90 gives you a hair-raising, spectacular view driving down into the valley. Dignity stands atop the east hill just before the plunge to the bridge.

Sights in Mobridge: The bridge crossing the river on US-12 takes you to a great look-out bluff with monuments Sitting Bull and Sakakawea. In the downtown strip on Main Street, the Walleye Up Statue and Oscar Howe Murals are notable artsy stops.

Oahe Dam: The largest dam on the Missouri River in South Dakota, you can see where the dam builders scooped tons of soil out of the hills to create this massive earth-rolled feat of engineering.

Verendrye Monument: Located in Fort Pierre on Verendrye Drive, the monument is situated on the perfect lookout over the valley; you can see the Oahe Dam and the whole lay of land and river between Pierre and Fort Pierre.

St. Anthony’s (short detour): Named “The Cathedral of the Prairie”, this impressive catholic chapel is in Hoven – taking a little detour off US-83 gets you there.

Bush’s Landing: At a little turn-off from 1804 between Pierre and Whitlock Bay, riding out to Bush’s Landing Recreation Area gives you a gut-punch of a view. Find it at the end of 182nd Street – this road is paved up to the look-out.

ROMPING RIVER TRAILS

Up and down the river are rolling rides, waterside walks, paved all-use trails, and unbelievable landscapes.

1 OAHE WEST SHORE TRAILS - FORT PIERRE These dirt trails were built for mountain biking on the undulating hills next to Oahe Dam, but they are open to hikers as well. These up-down-and-around paths are somewhat strenuous but lovely, weaving through natural prairie turf and showcasing the beauty of wide open spaces. The first main trailhead is the perfect place to catch a sunset, and the second trailhead takes you down to the water’s edge.

2 LEWIS & CLARK PAVED TRAILS Several paved trails for easy walking and biking follow the river in Pierre, Fort Pierre, Chamberlain, and Mobridge. These trails are well-maintainted and have historical markers along them detailing different aspects of river life, prairie life, western pioneer living, indigenous living, and Lewis & Clark’s journey. In Pierre, the trail starts in Farm Island RA. Farm Island has its own dirt path trails on the peninsula, but the paved path by the water’s edge runs continuously north through Pierre, always following the river, going over the bridge into Fort Pierre, where the trail cuts through a neighborhood before veering west onto the flat floodplain, headed towards Oahe Downstream RA. The trail ends in Oahe Downstream, where more trails trace the park and find their way to the foot of Oahe Dam. In the very northern edge of Oahe Downstream RA is a trail for spotting Bald Eagles, in an area of cottonwoods where the big birds tend to roost. In Mobridge, the trail is on the southern edge of town, following the river and connecting to downtown Mobridge at the end furthest from the bridge. The Walleye Up statue features on this trail. Chamberlain’s trail starts in Roam Free Park on a high bluff overlooking the river on the edge of town, and runs down the bluff into downtown and along the river’s edge.

3 OWEN’S BAY TRAIL - LAKE ANDES Take this easy hike on the lonesome Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, where the water is tranquil and the sunsets are mesmerizing. Just north of the Missouri River, this large lake is home to ducks, geese, cranes, and others. Other parts of the lake allow for hunting, fishing and trapping in several waterfowl production areas.

4 LA FRAMBOISE ISLAND - PIERRE Lying between Pierre and Fort Pierre, this large river island is a piece of wilderness in the middle of town. With long dirt trails, both for biking and hiking, this island is a favorite spot for sunny beach days, kayaking, and spotting wildlife, such as deer and beaver activity.

5 LITTLE BEND RA - LAKE OAHE For adventurers who crave unbeaten paths, follow 1804 north of Pierre to Little Bend, the narrow strip of land inside a natural river horseshoe. This nature and game production area is free to roam, remote and vast and beautiful; you can follow a non-maintained path across the length of the peninsula, climbing up gently rolling hills and drinking in the incredible views of river and sky.

6 FORT PIERRE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS The rolling prairies of 116,000 acres of preserved natural grasslands provide visitors with hunting, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, and horse riding. The Grasslands are a great spot for prairiedog hunting in particular, and it’s one of the easiest places to observe the prairie grouse during their spring mating season. For this nature preserve, it is important to familiarize yourself with Grassland rules and regulations, so please check in at the US Forest Ranger Kiosk in Fort Pierre at 1020 Deadwood Street before your visit.

MISSOURI RIVER

NATIVE AMERICAN SCENIC BYWAY

This scenic byway takes a route through all five tribal lands on the Missouri River in South Dakota.

✦ Dignity: Of Earth & Sky: This impressive 50-foot steel sculpture on I-90 overlooks the river valley of Chamberlain and Oacoma. She honors the Great Plains people.

✦ Sitting Bull & Sakakawea Monuments: Across the river from Mobridge, both monuments overlook the bridge, town, and wide bend in the river. Spirit of the Circle Monument: Located on top of the Big Bend Dam on the east side, this beautiful monument honors those who died in the 1860s at Crow Creek Reservation.

✦ Oscar Howe Murals: Located in Mobridge, these ten murals were painted by prominent Native American artist Oscar Howe early in his career. They depict scenes from Dakota life and history.

✦ Dakota Plains Gallery: A splendid Native American Art gallery in Chamberlain, SD, this gallery hosts a space for Great Plains artists to display and sell their work, from quilts and intricate beadwork to professional oil paintings.

✦ Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center: An excellent museum in Chamberlain, SD, discover the history of the Lakota from their earliest arrival in the Dakota area to present day, with amazing displays depicting the past, and modern day art from Native artists.

✦ Timber Lake & Area Museum: A hidden gem of a museum in Timber Lake on the Cheyenne Reservation, their collections and displays include numerous local fossils, including large dinasour skulls and bones, Lakota artifacts and history, and stories from life on the Great Plains.

The five allied tribes bordering the river are the Oceti Sakowin Nation, speaking three dialects: Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota. The Native American Scenic Byway runs through all five reservations.

The furthest north on the Missouri River, Standing Rock tribe is half in South Dakota and half in North Dakota. They include four bands of Dakota and Lakota people.

Just south of Standing Rock, the Cheyenne River tribal lands is the largest tribe on the Missouri River and the largest reservation in South Dakota. The Moreau River runs through it, and the Cheyenne River borders it to the south.

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.

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.

Lying along the southern part of the Missouri River, north of Fort Randal Dam, the Yankton Reservation is home to many small towns: Wagner, Lake Andes, Dante, Marty and more. The area is great for fishing, hunting, and wildlife watchers, especially around the area of Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge.

South Dakota Vacation Guide - 2026 South Dakota Vacation Guide

MISSOURI RIVER

MIGHTY MO FISHING

HUNTING HEAVEN

THE LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

ROMPING RIVER TRAILS

MISSOURI RIVER

NATIVE AMERICAN SCENIC BYWAY

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