Fort Pierre: Rodeo, History, and the Missouri River

Fort Pierre lies on the Missouri River, just a short drive from Interstate 90. There are several distinct ways to plan a visit: activities on the river and in the prairie, rodeo, and historic sites and collections. This gives you a way to think about Fort Pierre based on whether you are more interested in history, events, or outdoor activities.

Missouri River and Outdoor Activities

In Fort Pierre, the Missouri River offers opportunities for fishing, with easily accessible fishing spots around the city. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming are also among the possible recreational activities on the river. Cycling is possible on trails along the Missouri River and through the open prairie. The river setting thus encompasses both fishing and water sports; the trails add cycling near the river and in the prairie to these options.

History and Museums

Near Fort Pierre is the Ft. Pierre Chouteau site, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. At the Verendrye Site and Monument, the Verendrye brothers buried a lead plate in 1743. The site is one of the few verifiable locations associated with the first Europeans to explore the northern Great Plains. Fort Pierre thus combines the designation of a historic site with a specific event from the history of exploration.

At the Verendrye Museum, a collection of artifacts from South Dakota and the region documents the area's early history. The museum is located in the old American Legion Community Hall, a 1930s building owned by the city of Fort Pierre. The building is listed on the National Register, was built as a WPA project, and was dedicated by Governor Berry in 1933. The collection and the building offer insights into different periods: the artifacts relate to the region's early history, while the building's history reflects the period when the hall was built.

Rodeo in Fort Pierre

The Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center displays memorabilia from Casey Tibbs, a nine-time world champion, trick rider Mattie Goff Newcombe, and other rodeo greats. Events are also part of the city's rodeo scene: the Casey Tibbs Match of Champions is held annually at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre. The Fourth of July Rodeo is a long-standing tradition.

Golf and Archery

Dunes Golf is an 18-hole golf course with a driving range. The course is suitable for pedestrians and for people who use a vehicle to get around it. The Fort Pierre Archery Complex offers a stationary target range with distances of 20 to 50 yards, as well as a 1-mile field course. The figures describe different measures: for the target range, they refer to the distance to the targets; for the field course, they refer to its length. This lets you distinguish between the two archery options by their respective facilities and distance information.

For the broader travel overview: Stanley.