Roberts County: History, Lakes and Wide-Open Landscapes

Roberts County offers different ways to plan a trip: lakes and landscapes, routes to scenic viewpoints, and historic places and cultural traditions. You can explore these themes individually or combine them. This lets you shape your stay around what interests you most—from nature and outdoor activities to architecture and history.

Lakes, Coteau and Trails

Roberts County is defined by numerous lakes, views from the high Coteau, and picturesque landscapes. In Sica Hollow State Park, two geologically designated landscapes meet: Glacial River Warren and Coteau des Prairies, both recognized as National Natural Landmarks. The Trail of the Spirits is a self-guided interpretive walking trail through the park. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 1971, it offers a distinct way to experience the landscape.

Pickerel Lake is another notable natural destination: the spring-fed lake covers 955 acres and is considered one of South Dakota’s deepest natural lakes. A monument on a high Coteau offers a different view of the landscape, with vistas extending across the Whetstone and Little Minnesota valleys. Near Sisseton, the Ancient River Warren Channel is also listed as a natural landmark. The Mound Builders Burial Ground is part of it.

At Hartford Beach State Park, five hiking trails follow routes past historic sites and scenic viewpoints. The park’s historic sites span approximately 300 to 1600 AD. At the eastern end of the Robar Trail is a log trading post that operated from 1863 to 1873. Walking in the park therefore brings together impressions of the landscape and history, though not all the historic sites date to the same period.

Activities on the Lakes

Hartford Beach State Park has a boat ramp and beaches for swimming and boating. It also features a nine-hole disc golf course overlooking Big Stone Lake. If you prefer to include several kinds of recreation in one outing, the park offers trails, scenic viewpoints, a beach and disc golf as different options in one place.

Roy Lake State Park offers sandy beaches, a boat ramp, boat rentals and a trail to an island. The lake also has a much older archaeological context: it includes Woodland Culture burial mounds, and artifacts dating from 900 to 1300 AD have been found near the park. At Roy Lake, water-based recreation and a much older human history sit side by side. At Pickerel Lake, meanwhile, its spring-fed waters, 955-acre size and exceptional depth are the defining features—a different perspective on the lake landscape than beaches and boating.

Architecture and History

Stavig House is a three-story Victorian residence built in 1916 by Norwegian immigrant Andrew Stavig and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours focus on the home’s architecture and the history of an immigrant family. The two are connected: the tour draws attention both to the building and to the family history associated with it.

In Sisseton, the Roberts County Courthouse is a building constructed in 1902 in the Neo-Classical Revival style. It was added to the National Register in 1976. In Agency Village, the Sisseton Agency Headquarters & Wacipi Grounds was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. The site served as the Agency headquarters from 1869 to 1923 and is significant to the history of decision-making among the Sisseton and Wahpeton people.

From the establishment of the reservation to the present day, the site has also been a place for Wacipi celebrations, also called powwows. On July 4, these include religious ceremonies, dancing, feasting and singing. The site thus connects an ongoing cultural tradition with its history as an Agency headquarters; both give a visit a different focus from the architecture of a residence or courthouse.

The Nicollet Tower honors French cartographer Joseph N. Nicollet. From the tower, views extend across South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, six counties, eleven communities and the Continental Divide. The Nicollet Interpretive Center features Nicollet’s large map, a documentary film and artworks by John S. Wilson. Scenic Highway 10 begins in Sisseton and runs west to the 75-foot-tall Nicollet Tower—one way to combine the viewpoint with a road trip.

Events and Visitor Planning

The Ft. Sisseton Historical Festival takes place on the first full weekend in June. A military encampment with cavalry and infantry units is set up on the fort grounds for the festival. Since individual event plans can change, check the dates for your chosen year before traveling. The visitor center at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is open daily from the Open House weekend through Labor Day; check the schedule before visiting.

The Sisseton Arts Council also offers public events and activities throughout the year; specific offerings may change. Together with the historic homes, cultural sites and scenic destinations, these provide a range of reasons to visit. Which ones you include depends on whether you are most interested in a nature trail, a glimpse of architectural history or an event.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sisseton, Jones County, Tripp County, Walworth County, Perkins County, Custer County, Lake County, Brule County.

For the main travel overview: South Dakota.