Pierre
Around Pierre
Photo: Tony Webster · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · South Dakota · 20k people
Pierre
Small-town capital, big-sky heart
State flag blueState flag gold
Welcome to Pierre, the friendly heart of South Dakota. Settle in by the Missouri River and enjoy the wide-open skies. Whether you're here for the capitol or the catfish, you'll find a warm handshake and a good story.
Clubs for Pierre
No clubs for Pierre yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pierre. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Pierre. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- South Dakota State Capitol Classic dome building with tours and grounds.
- Missouri River Runs through town, great for fishing and boating.
- Lake Oahe Huge reservoir for fishing, boating, and camping.
- Oahe Dam One of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world.
- Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center Honors rodeo legend Casey Tibbs, hosts events.
- Fort Pierre Chouteau Reconstructed fur trading post.
- Outdoors Fishing for walleye and catfish on the Missouri
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing on Lake Oahe
- With kids Tour the South Dakota State Capitol
- With kids Visit the Cultural Heritage Center
- Evenings Small-town bars with pool tables
- Evenings Live music at the Casey Tibbs Center
- Locals love Fishing holes on the Missouri
- Locals love Hunting lodges
Through the year
- Oahe Days June Summer festival with music, food, and river activities.
- Casey Tibbs Match of Champions Rodeo July Professional rodeo honoring the hometown legend.
- Pierre Trappers baseball season June–August Summer collegiate baseball at the local ballpark.
- Pierre Fighting Saints hockey season October–March Junior hockey games at the civic center.
- Pierre Players community theater Seasonal Local productions throughout the year.
Continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “The river”
- The Missouri River, central to local life.
- “West River”
- The western half of South Dakota, west of the Missouri.
- “Cabin”
- A lake house or weekend retreat on Oahe.
- “Hunt camp”
- A hunting lodge or camp used during hunting season.
Getaways
- Black Hills and Mount Rushmore Drive west for mountain scenery, hiking, and monuments.
- Corn Palace in Mitchell See the famous decorated corn palace and local shops.
- South Dakota State Fair in Huron Carnival rides, livestock, and concerts.
- Wylie Park and Storybook Land in Aberdeen Family-friendly park with a lake and playgrounds.
Local flavour
Teams
- Pierre Trappers Expedition League (summer collegiate baseball)
- Pierre Fighting Saints NA3HL (junior hockey)
Eat and drink
- Chislic Cubed, seasoned meat (often beef or venison) deep-fried and served with saltine crackers and hot sauce—a South Dakota staple.
- Walleye Freshwater fish from the Missouri River, commonly pan-fried or grilled.
- Fry bread / Indian tacos
- Kuchen A German-style fruit-filled cake or pie, a beloved dessert in South Dakota.
Where people go
- State capitol building The South Dakota State Capitol, a landmark with its distinctive dome and grounds.
- Missouri River Central to the area for fishing, boating, and scenic views.
- Hunting lodges Pheasant hunting is a regional tradition, with many lodges in the surrounding countryside.
- Small-town diners Classic American diners serving hearty breakfasts and local specialties.
Heritage and traditions
Pierre and the surrounding Missouri River country are proud of their role as the heart of South Dakota's government and their deep ties to the Lakota and Dakota people, the river, and the wide-open prairies that define the region.
This time of year in Pierre
- Fall Fall The state's iconic hunt draws visitors and locals alike.
- October October Governor's Pheasant Hunt – a celebrated annual hunt with dignitaries.
Say it like a local: “Uff da” — Expression of surprise or exhaustion.
Festivals
- Fort Pierre Chouteau Rendezvous June Fur trade era encampment and demonstrations.
- Rosebud Wacipi August Traditional Lakota dance and drumming on the Rosebud Reservation.
- Cheyenne River Wacipi September Annual gathering at Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Reservation.
Landmarks with a story
- South Dakota State Capitol Iconic dome and the first capitol in the US heated by geothermal energy.
- Fort Pierre Chouteau Site of a major fur trade post from 1817, now a National Historic Landmark.
- Oahe Dam One of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world, creating Lake Oahe.
- South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center Exhibits on state history, from Native American cultures to pioneer life.
- Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center Honors the rodeo legend and the state's cowboy heritage.
- Farm Island Recreation Area A scenic island in the Missouri River with trails and picnic spots.
Food traditions
- Chislic Cubed meat, often venison or beef, deep-fried and served with saltine crackers – a South Dakota specialty.
- Walleye Freshwater fish from the Missouri River, typically fried and served with fries.
- Fry bread and Indian tacos Native American staple, often topped with ground beef, beans, and cheese.
- Kuchen German fruit or custard pastry, a nod to the region's German heritage.
- Bison burgers Lean, flavorful burgers from the prairie's iconic animal.
Music and arts
- Lakota drumming and singing Traditional songs and drum circles at powwows and ceremonies.
- Native American flute Soothing flute music with roots in the plains tribes.
- Star quilts and beadwork Vibrant textile and bead art created by Lakota artisans.
- Western art and rodeo paintings Depicting cowboy life and the prairie landscape.
A little history
- 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the region along the Missouri River.
- 1817 Fort Pierre established as a fur trading post, the oldest continuous settlement in South Dakota.
- 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty established the Great Sioux Reservation, including lands around here.
- 1889 Pierre became the state capital when South Dakota achieved statehood.
- 1948-1962 Construction of Oahe Dam, a major New Deal-era project that created Lake Oahe.
Rivalries
- Pierre vs. Fort Pierre Friendly cross-river rivalry in sports and bragging rights.
- East River vs. West River Statewide high school football and basketball rivalry.
- Game day Rodeo events
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Fishing on the Missouri
- Outdoors Hunting pheasant
Locals speak with a friendly Midwestern accent, often using 'you bet' and 'uff da' (from Scandinavian heritage). Lakota words like 'wopila' (thank you) and 'hoka hey' (let's go) are heard, especially around the reservations.
Only here
- The South Dakota State Capitol is the first in the US to be heated and cooled by geothermal energy.
- Fort Pierre is the oldest continuous settlement in South Dakota, dating to 1817.
- Oahe Dam is one of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world.
- The Missouri River, flowing through here, is the longest river in North America.
New here? A few tips
- Dress in layers – the weather can change quickly, and winds are strong.
- Learn about the local Lakota and Dakota culture; visit the reservations respectfully and attend a powwow if invited.
- Try chislic at a local diner – it's a must.
- Get a fishing license if you plan to fish the Missouri or Lake Oahe.
- Be prepared for long distances between towns; keep your gas tank full.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaCheyenne RiverSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the riverChamberlainSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the river, and the sky goes on forever.WinnerSouth DakotaHeart of the RosebudMobridgeSouth DakotaBig skies, warm townsRedfieldSouth DakotaOpen skies, open heartsNebraska SandhillsNebraskaEndless prairie, starry nights.HuronSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the skyAberdeenSouth DakotaA warm spot on the open prairie
Pierre, SD. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.