Native Discovery - 2009 Tours

Begin in Mitchell and visit the Prehistoric Indian Village, Dakota Discovery Museum and the World’s only Corn Palace.
Continue to Chamberlain, SD and stop at the Akta Lakota Museum, at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Other stops in this area: the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the South Dakota Hall of Fame located at I-90 exit 263.
Travel north on Hwy. 50, along the Native American Scenic Byway. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Missouri River bluffs and rolling prairies. Pass through the lands of the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Tribes. Take a guided tour of the beautiful Lower Brule tribal headquarters and learn the history of the area. Continue
north on Hwy. 1806 to the Lower Brule Tribe’s Buffalo Interpretive Center.
Spend the night in South Dakota’s capitol city, Pierre. Enjoy outdoor recreation in Pierre - rent a bike or enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Missouri River. You can also take a ride on the Capital City Queen, a 46-passenger
excursion boat. Visit the capitol building or tour the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center.

The tour travels to the Cheyenne River Reservation, along Hwy. 1804, the Lewis and Clark Trail. Stop at Bob’s Resort, near Gettysburg, for a snack and then cross the Missouri River and enter the reservation. Take a tour of the Tribe’s buffalo herd and learn the significance of these majestic animals to Native Americans.
Continue on Hwy 212 toward Eagle Butte and visit the Tribe’s elk herd, located just east of town.
In Eagle Butte, visit the HVJ Lakota Cultural Center and shop downtown Eagle Butte stores. Spend the night at the Super 8 in Eagle Butte.

Visit a wild horse preserve located west of Eagle Butte, near the community
of Lantry. The International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros is dedicated to protecting unique breeds of wild horses. Here you’ll tour through the herds and meet some of the friendly horses in the bunch.
Spend the evening on the prairie at the Jackson Springs Tipi B&B. Here you’ll enjoy a wagon ride, story telling under the stars and a traditional meal. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this area, located in the southeast part of the Cheyenne River Reservation. Feeling adventurous? Spend a night in a tipi. Or return to the community of Faith for a night in the Prairie Vista Inn.

Head to Sturgis and visit Bear Butte State Park, a sacred sight for Native Americans. From here, continue to the Rapid City area and visit the Journey Museum and Prairie Edge Galleries along with Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial.

On your return to southeast South Dakota, be sure to visit other famous attractions in the state such as Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, and the Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo.

Begin in Mitchell and visit the Prehistoric Indian Village, Dakota Discovery Museum, and the World’s only Corn Palace.
From Mitchell, take I-90 west to Chamberlain. While in the Chamberlain/Oacoma area, be sure to visit the South Dakota Hall of Fame, the Akta Lakota Museum, located at St. Joseph’s Indian School and Al’s Oasis located at I-90, exit 260 in Oacoma, before continuing west.
Continue west on I-90, turn south at exit 251 and travel to the community of Winner. Lodging, dining and entertainment, including an outdoor theatre, is available in Winner.

Enjoy heritage and culture of the Rosebud Reservation. Travel to Mission and visit Sinte Gleska University.
Enjoy a guided tour of a buffalo herd and stop by the Sicangu Heritage Center to learn more about the history of the area. From here, continue to Mission and stop at Soldier Woman Gallery. Here you’ll find beautiful, locally made artwork and unique gift items.
Visit St. Francis Mission, located in the community of Saint Francis and tour the Buechel Memorial Lakota Museum and St. Charles Church.
To end your day, plan to stay at the Rosebud Hotel and Casino, located on Hwy 83, south of Mission.

After breakfast at the Casino, take Hwy 83 north to Hwy 18. Turn west on Hwy 18 and travel towards the community of Martin. Watch for BIA 2, just west of Martin and turn north towards the community of Kyle. Visit the Lakota Trade Center
where you’ll find the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce and retail stores. Travel to Oglala Lakota College, located six miles west of Kyle. Tour the Cultural Center and learn the rich history of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort, located just north of the college, serves great food and offers a gift shop. Plan to stop there for lunch and a break from the road. After lunch, travel west to BIA 27 and turn south towards the Wounded Knee Massacre site. Stop by vendors booths located near the historical site. Continue south to the community of Pine Ridge. Take Hwy 18 north of Pine Ridge and travel to the Red Cloud Indian School. Take a guided tour of the Holy Rosary Church and see the beautiful artwork that adorns its walls. Visit The Heritage Center and view many historic displays and locally made artwork. Don’t forget to spend some time shopping in the gift shop!
Continue on Hwy 18, towards the Prairie Wind Casino, Hotel and Restaurant. Overnight here or in the community
of Hot Springs, located north of Oelrichs.