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Located near the city of Chamberlain, South Dakota, a 50-foot statue overlooks the Missouri River. The statue represents Lakota and Dakota (Sioux) culture.
ADOBE STOCK
South Dakota’s
River of Stories
Tracing the Missouri River, the Native American Scenic Byway winds through tribal lands, wildlife-rich prairies and cultural landmarks that reveal some of the state’s heritage.
by Jason Frye
South Dakota might just be a road trip-lover’s dream. Five incredible scenic byways reveal the beautiful landscapes, small towns, and culturally and historically important sites in every corner of the state. Following the Missouri River as it cuts a southeastern course across central South Dakota, the Native American National and State Scenic Byway belongs at the top of your must-do road trip list. Combining cultural sites with wildlife-packed pockets, a visit to the former territorial capital and current state capital, traverses across prairies and rolling hills, and passes through the tribal lands of five Native peoples, this road trip shows you a side of South Dakota you’ve never seen.
A scenic overlook near the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, offers views of the Missouri River, the Chamberlain Rail Bridge and the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge.
Start at the south end of the Native American Scenic Byway in Yankton. This town on the Missouri River at the Nebraska border was the territorial capital from 1861–1883 and was a stopover point for Lewis and Clark. The Dakota Territorial Museum reveals some of the Indigenous and settler histories through objects, artifacts and engaging displays, while nature’s beauty takes center stage at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. This double-dip of culture and nature sets the stage for the rest of the journey.
As you follow the Missouri River northwest across the state, keep an eye out for wildlife. More than a few bald eagles soar overhead, and the chances of seeing prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, elk, deer and bison are high. Bald eagles, sacred amongst regional Native American tribes, gather in abundance at the Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge in Pickstown, not far from the start of your journey.
“Dignity: Of Earth & Sky” statue at sunset
TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA
Wildlife isn’t the only sight that wows road-trippers; there’s plenty of art and culture on display every mile of the byway. On the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River outside Chamberlain, for example, a 50-foot-tall statue—“Dignity: Of Earth and Sky”—depicts a Native woman wrapping herself in a star quilt. Chamberlain is also home to the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and enlightening exhibits on Lakota spiritual beliefs, traditional clothing and art, and contemporary life.
Contemporary art on display at Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center
TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA / BYRON BANASIAK
More artworks follow, with inspiring, graffiti and street-art-style murals in Eagle Butte, where the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe resides, and in the nearby HVJ Cultural Center and Gift Shop, where traditional tribal art and contemporary works stand side-by-side.
The largest burial mound complex in the Great Plains rises on Crow Creek Sioux Tribal land in Fort Thompson. One look at this sight changes what you thought you knew of Native American society during America’s westward expansion.
Sitting Bull monument at sunset
CHAD COPPESS / TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA
In Mobridge, near the northern end of the route, monuments to Sakakawea (more familiarly known as Sakagawea) and Sitting Bull are two of the cultural touchstones; the others include 10 murals by Oscar Howe, a noted Native artist, completed in 1942. These murals depict day-to-day life, cultural rites and more.
South Dakota State Capitol building in Pierre
The midpoint of the road trip brings you to Pierre, the state capital. Here, more vestigial heritage abounds, highlighting the state’s French exploration and Native American history. At the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center, Native and French artifacts, as well as objects from America’s expansion into the Plains and West, tell more of South Dakota’s story.
Lake at Lewis and Clark Recreation Center
Plan to explore the great outdoors on your South Dakota road trip. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in Yankton, the Randall Creek Recreation Area near Pickstown and Lake Andes, and Big Bend Dam near Fort Thompson each offer chances for eagle viewing and wildlife watching. Fishing, boating, hiking and picnicking also are available.
Once you’ve cruised the South Dakota portion of the Native American Scenic Byway, make plans to check out the other portion in North Dakota or stick around the southern area for a chance to go to Badlands National Park. Each direction offers deeper exploration into the Native histories and cultures there.
Ready to hit the highway? Knowledgeable AAA Travel Agents can recommend the best time to visit, where to stay and the must-see locations.
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