Pine Ridge
Around Pine Ridge
Illustration made for Popchat
Countryside and towns · South Dakota · 19k people
Pine Ridge
“The Rez”, “Pine Ridge Reservation”
Heart of Lakota country, where the prairie meets the sky.
Lakota RedPrairie GoldBadlands Night
Welcome to Pine Ridge, the heart of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Here the prairie meets the Badlands, and community runs deep. Come for the powwows, stay for the stories.
Clubs for Pine Ridge
No clubs for Pine Ridge yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pine Ridge. 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 Pine Ridge. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Badlands National Park Dramatic eroded landscape, home to bison and bighorn sheep.
- Wounded Knee Massacre Site Site of the 1890 massacre, with a cemetery and church.
- Oglala Lakota College Tribal college serving the reservation.
- Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School Showcases contemporary Native American art.
- Pine Ridge Agency Administrative hub of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
- Porcupine Butte A prominent butte near Porcupine.
- Outdoors Hiking in the Badlands
- Outdoors Bison watching
- With kids Attending powwows
- With kids Going to rodeos
- Evenings Prairie Wind Casino
- Evenings Community dances
- Locals love Powwow grounds
- Locals love Rodeo arenas
Through the year
- Oglala Nation Powwow August The largest annual gathering on the reservation, with dance, drumming, and food.
- Wounded Knee Memorial Ride December A horseback ride commemorating the 1890 massacre, ending at the site.
- Pine Ridge Rodeo July Local rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and roping.
- Badlands Astronomy Festival September Stargazing and science activities in the national park.
- Oglala Lakota College Art Show Spring Showcase of student and community artwork.
Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low precipitation, and strong winds. Best: Late spring to early fall for mild temperatures and green prairie.
Talk like a local
- “Rez”
- The reservation, specifically Pine Ridge
- “Wopila”
- Thank you
- “Tiyospaye”
- Extended family or community
- “Han”
- Yes
Getaways
- Hot Springs Soak in natural springs and visit the Mammoth Site.
- Rapid City Explore the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and local shops.
- Alliance–Chadron Visit Carhenge and the Nebraska prairie.
- Scottsbluff See Scotts Bluff National Monument and the North Platte River.
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Rapid City Rush (ECHL), South Dakota State Jackrabbits (NCAA), University of South Dakota Coyotes (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Frybread A staple at powwows and home kitchens, often served with honey or as a taco.
- Wojapi A thick berry sauce made from chokecherries or other wild berries, served with frybread.
- Indian Taco Frybread topped with seasoned ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
- Buffalo Locally raised and traditional, often served as steaks or in stews.
Where people go
- Powwow grounds Community gathering places for dances, singing, and celebration.
- Rodeo arenas Small-town rodeos are a summer staple.
- Badlands National Park The rugged, otherworldly landscape that defines the region.
- Prairie Rolling grasslands that stretch to the horizon.
- Trading posts Historic and current stores that serve as community hubs.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaHot SpringsSouth DakotaWarm waters, cool hillsAlliance–ChadronNebraskaWhere the prairie meets the starsRapid CitySouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pinesScottsbluffNebraskaWhere the plains meet the bluff.Newcastle–SundanceWyomingSmall-town heart, big-sky soul.Nebraska SandhillsNebraskaEndless prairie, starry nights.SpearfishSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pinesPierreSouth DakotaSmall-town capital, big-sky heart
Oglala Lakota, Bennett and Jackson counties, 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.