Fort Randall

Remains of the fort are seen along a self-interpretive trail. Fort Randall Visitor Center tells the history of the fort and its occupants.

Fort Randall (1856 – 1892). The fort’s primary purpose was to maintain peace between Indians and white settlers, as well as among the tribes themselves. Sitting Bull and his followers were confined at the fort from 1881 to 1883. Among the troops who garrisoned Fort Randall were African- American “Buffalo Soldiers” of the twenty- fifth Infantry.

Lewis & Clark Trail

The Native American Scenic Byway follows Highway 50, the official Lewis & Clark highway.
Take time to see some of the wildlife that Lewis and Clark mentioned in their journals.

Pease Creek campground has well marked hiking and horse trails along the Missouri River. Boat ramps, swimming beach, and picnic areas, are available at White Swan and Platte Creek campgrounds.

During their exploration and search for the mouth of the Missouri River, Lewis & Clark passed through this region. Here they saw pronghorn antelope, bison, wolves, magpies, coyotes, jackrabbits, and “barking squirrels”, better known today as prairie dogs.

Yankton Sioux Tribe

The Yankton Sioux Reservation was established in 1858. Visitors are invited to learn more about Sioux heritage. Pow Wows are held during the summer months and tours of the bison herd can be arranged.

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge & Wetland Management District

Established in 1936 to maintain a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. Native grass nesting cover ,food plots and a series of shelter belts receive extensive use by white-tailed deer, ring-necked pheasants and a wide variety of small mammals and song birds.

Wildlife observation, hunting, and fishing are the major attractions for visitors. An educational interpretative area located at the north-west corner of the Owens Bay unit is open during daylight hours year-round. A nature trail meanders along the wooded lake shore, across marshlands in the prairie pond complex and returns via native grassland uplands.

Papineau’s Trading Post

Papineau’s Trading Post (1857-1885) is the oldest commercial structure in South Dakota. Cuthbert Ducharme was a French fur trapper and trader from Canada. He opened a store, general supply house and fur trading post at Papineau Springs on the Missouri River. The building is now located in Geddes Historical Park.

Peter Norbeck’s boyhood home

Also located in Geddes Historical Park is Peter Norbeck’s boyhood home. Peter Norbeck was the South Dakota's first native-born Governo, and was a rdriving force for the establishment of the Missouri River basin development as we know it today. He was a leader in establishing Wind Cave, Custer State Park and its highways, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Iron Mountain Road, with its telescopic tunnels, Horse Thief Lake Road and others.

Hutterite Colonies

Hutterite Colonies were established in 1874 in Dakota Territory. Hutterites belong to a religious sect and live together on communal farms. As the Colony grows in population it branches out forming new Colonies. Platte Colony, Cedar Grove Colony, Grass Ranch Colony and Lake View Colony are area branches. Some of the industries at the colonies include farming, cabinet making, raising livestock, gardening.

Meals and tours are sometimes available upon request with advance notice.

Places to eat:

4th and Main Café
Blue Room Lounge
Lone Tree Steakhouse

Places to shop:

4th and Main - groceries and gift shop

The Creamery - gift shop & museum
Hoffman Drug – gift shop
Main Street Variety – gift shop
Lieuwen’s Ace Hardware – gift shop
Town & Country Quilters
Dakota Memories & Antiques
Platte Flower Shop
Ruth’s Florals