Pierre, SD

Pierre, now the capital of the state of South Dakota, has significant connections to the Corps of Discovery. The expedition’s first introduction to the region was on the evening of Monday, September 24, 1804 when Lewis, Clark and their entourage of forty three men and three boats anchored across the river from Pierre, in what is now Fischers Lilly Park in Fort Pierre. On their return trip in 1806, Lewis and Clark returned to the area, this time camping on the Pierre side of the river,  spending the night on LaFramboise Island, which they called Bad Humored Island as a reference to the difficulties they encountered with Blackfoot’s band of Sioux Indian.

Today, both of these sights, Fischers Lilly Park and LaFramboise Island, can be visited along with the thriving towns of Pierre and Fort Pierre, located on opposite sides of the Missouri river. The area is known for its political significance as capital of the state, high density of museums and historic sites, and its plethora of outdoor recreation activities including fishing and water sports on the Missouri river, sporting facilities such as golf and disc golf courses, and hunting and bird watching in the Fort Pierre National Grassland and surroundings. Discover your “adventure on the river” in Pierre!