MISSOURI RIVER Here fl ows the mighty Missouri River through prairies, grasslands and idyllic small towns — all teeming with wildlife and authentic Western and Indigenous culture. Fish your greatest catch or roam the rolling river hills to fi nd a pheasant or a breathtaking prairie sunset. Highlights NAVIGATE THE LAKES: Four large dams segment the Missouri River in South Dakota and create four reservoirs—massive water landscapes where avid anglers and boating enthusiasts can thrive. Whether it’s salmon fishing on Lake Oahe , swimming in Lake Sharpe , camping on the high banks of Lake Francis Case or sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake , the scenery is stunning—and the crowds are thin. Clark Trail and the Native American Scenic Byway , SD highways 1804 and 1806. Both follow the Mighty Mo’ through spectacular river valley country. History can be found everywhere along the way; see how far farming machines have come since the 1800s at the South Dakota Tractor Museum in Kimball, or browse collections of locally found ammonite and dinosaur fossils at the Timber Lake Museum on the Cheyenne River Reservation. HUNT LIKE NO OTHER: Trace the woods for deer, flush the fields for pheasants or wade into the wetlands in search of waterfowl throughout diverse hunting grounds. Up, down and around, the river is fair land for finding game. Major Cities & Towns Chamberlain, Fort Pierre, Mobridge, Oacoma, Pierre, Platte, Wagner, Winner Turn to page EXPERIENCE CULTURE & HISTORY: Here on the river are centuries-old towns brimming with ancient artifacts, remnants of bygone eras and five Indigenous tribal lands. To see the grand scope of South Dakota’s history and culture, take the Lewis & 186 to learn more about the Missouri River Region. 32 // #HiFromSD
South Dakota Vacation Guide 2026 South Dakota Vacation Guide: Page 32
