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Park in 1965. Tours are by appointment and can be made by
contacting the Chamber at 605.224.7361. Day trips
Numerous historical sites surround Lake Oahe, illustrating the
Monuments and Memorials area’s rich frontier and Native American heritage. Fort Sully,
The beautifully landscaped 115-acre grounds of the South an old military outpost, lies across the Missouri River from
Dakota Capitol include the five-acre Capitol Lake and several Farm Island. North of Pierre near the city of Mobridge lies the
monuments and memorials situated nearby. The Capitol grave of Sitting Bull, chief of the Lakota Sioux. Sacagawea,
grounds are open year-round; brochures for a self-guided tour the Shoshone Indian woman who served as a translator on the
are available at the tour office, located just inside the north Lewis and Clark expedition, is believed to be buried at nearby
entrance to the Capitol building. 605.773.3688. Fort Manuel Trading Post. Located East of Pierre on Highway
The Fighting Stallions Memorial honors eight South Dakotans, 34 you’ll find Visions of the Past, life-size plasma cut steel
including Governor George Mickelson, who died in a plane figures. The display includes 10 silhouettes of riders scouting,
crash in 1993. The state’s World War II Memorial, set on a medicine man praying and the buffalo. Take a drive into the
peninsula built into Capitol Lake, consists of six bronze figures past. For more information call 605.224.5153.
representing the military branches in which South Dakotans
served. Tours
Facing the WWII monument is the Korean War memorial, Pierre Historic Homes Driving Tour
with a wall bearing the names of the state’s fallen heroes and Explore Pierre and learn about its history by taking a self-
are available at the tour office, located just inside the north guided tour of the cities’ historic residences. Notable homes
entrance to the Capitol building. 605.773.3688. and buildings date from the late 1800s through the mid-20th
The Flaming Fountain Memorial features a flowing artesian century. Architectural styles span the late Victorian to post-World-
well and provides a centerpiece for several war memorials. War-II Lustron. A number of the structures are on the National
This warm water fountain flows into Capitol Lake, keeping the Register of Historic Places. Contact the Pierre Area Chamber of
water open year-round and providing a welcome resting place Commerce for a self-guided tour brochure. 605.224.7361 or toll-
to migratory waterfowl. free at 800.962.2034 or online at www.historicpierre.com.
Nearby memorials honor the state’s fallen firefighters and
law enforcement officers. Native American Scenic Byway
For an online tour of the South Dakota State Capitol and The Native American Scenic Byway travels along the banks
grounds, visit www.state.sd.us/boa/CapitolTour. of the Missouri River, through South Dakota’s mixed-grass
prairie and the heart of the great Sioux nation. The 100-mile
corridor between Fort Pierre and Chamberlain, to the south,
takes you through the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Indian
Reservations, with opportunities to view their unique culture,
enjoy the natural beauty of the rugged landscape, and look
for bison, elk, pronghorn and prairie dogs roaming the plains.
Cultural, historical and archaeological sites tell the story of
this land and its people. Visit the locations of pre-Columbian
Indian villages, travel to numerous places noted in the diaries
of Lewis and Clark, view the plants and animals of the plains
and bottomlands, and learn about Indian culture and traditions
through contemporary exhibits. The byway is a journey of heart
and mind, a road to understanding the Sioux people and
feeling the spirit of the land.

Events
In Pierre, each season brings colorful events, from rodeos
and horse racing to festivals and crafts fairs. Blending Native
American and Western influences, these events both reflect and
celebrate the area’s rich heritage.
The Trail of Governors began as a vision to create a lasting The fourth annual Winter Fishing Weekend is Jan. 31 – Feb. 2,
legacy of South Dakota’s governors in the city where they served 2020. This unique fishing tournament allows you to fish through
as leaders of the state. Twenty-two life-sized, bronze statues the ice or from your boat and for your preferred species of fish.
have been put in place. Future statue locations are yet to be You may register your team on line at www.pierrewfw.com.
determined. For more information about the Trail of Governors St. Patty’s Day Irish Stew at the American Legion Cabin in
project, please visit the Trail of Governors Foundation website March following the parade which starts at 4 p.m.
at www.trailofgovernors.com. The Short Grass Arts Council is holding their Short Grass
Gallery Show April 24 - 26, 2020, at the Pierre Chamber of
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