South Dakota Logo - link to state home page   Tent in campground Fisherman with trout in hand Musket and civil war hat Deer Pheasant Bear Butte mountain
   Home FAQ's Site Index Contact Us Our Privacy Policy Disclaimer

Game Fish and Parks logo

-

-
 Division of
Parks & Recreation

--
Park Locator
 --
 General Information
 --
 Outdoor Learning
--
 Outdoor Recreation
 --
 Event Calendar
 --
 Parks Publications
 

Quick Links
 --
 Find a Park
 --
Reservations
 --
Fees
2
 Volunteering
 --
 Ask the Parks!
 --
 Lake Oahe Boat Ramp Report
 --
 Weekend Camping Report
 --
 

Main Menu
 --
Wildlife
 --
 Licensing & Reservations
 --
 Employment & Internships
 --
 Shop GFP Online
 

-





 Game Fish and Parks logo

 

 

Fort Sisseton State Historical Park

Walk the grounds where the officers' quarters, stone barracks, powder magazine, guard house, and other buildings remain at frontier Fort Sisseton. This 1864 fort, atop the Coteau des Prairies (or hills of the prairies), is a rare reminder of the western frontier. The fort's name comes from the nearby Sisseton Indian Tribe, and it is now a picturesque state park that unfolds the area's history.

Originally a frontier army outpost, this National Historic Landmark has been restored and is open to the public. The site of the fort (originally called Fort Wadsworth) was chosen for providing a strong natural defense, an ample supply of lime and clay for making bricks, an abundance of lake water for drinking and a thick stand of trees for timber and fuel. Guided tours by fort "soldiers" and others in costume are available.

 Historical re-enactors make up the calvary at the Historical Festival held every June at Fort Sisseton State Park.

Frontier Christmas Celebration
December 13-14, 2008

Fort Sisseton Historical Festival Features Period Entertainment and Activities
The annual festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. Join the festivities for entertainment, culture and history for the whole family.
   
Camping/Cabins

  • Located 10 miles SW of Lake City off US Hwy. 10  Location map (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)  DOT Road Report

  • Open year-round

  • Visitor Center with interpretive displays is open daily, June-August. Guided first-person tours available, please call ahead.

  • Park entrance license required: $5/day/vehicle or $23 for an annual pass

  • Camping & Fees: $10/non-electrical, $14/electrical. 14 campsites (10 electrical)Tent area with three sites. $20/specialty tents (non-electrical). Showers. Water. Group rentals for special events available.

  • Camping Cabins: Three rustic camping cabins (see left). Each sleeps six people. $40/night. 

  • Reservations: (800) 710-2267 or www.CampSD.com. Up to 90 days prior to arrival. Campsites May to Sept. Cabins year-round.

  • Recreation: Camping. Cabins. Boating. Canoeing, rentals available. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Accessible hiking trail. Historic interest. Horse trail. Accessible picnic shelter with kitchenette. Snowshoe checkout. Guided walking tours of the fort available. Visitor center/museum/gift shop.

  • Fishing/Boating: Boat ramp and canoeing on adjacent Kettle Lake. Walleye, Northern pike, crappie, perch bass and bullheads. License required.

  • Park maps: PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
    - Campground & Fort
    layout map    .
       (2 pages, 91KB)
    - Trail map and guide.
        (5 pages, 191KB)

Fort Sisseton State Park
 11907 434th Avenue
Lake City, SD 57247
(605) 448-5474
Email: FortSisseton@state.sd.us
In addition to traditional campsites, Fort Sisseton also offers rental tipis, Sibley and Marquis tents for $20/night. Each tent sleeps six and can be reserved through the reservation system.

Three uniquely-styled cabins are available at Fort Sisseton. Each cabin offers the same amenities as other camping cabins and the same regulations apply. Furnishings in these cabins include a set of bunk beds and two double beds to sleep six people. A fourth cabin, to be shared with the other cabin users, is set up as a cooking cabin complete with stove, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, sink, washer and dryer.
 
Special Event Rentals
Fort Sisseton is great for weddings, reunions, meetings and more.Let Fort Sisseton be the site of your next special event. Buildings and equipment are available to rent for events such as weddings, family reunions and meetings. more
 
Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of the Fort's parade grounds and the doctor's quarters. Click on the pictures below for a 360 degree image.

           

Parade grounds                        Doctor's quarters
 
Northern Fort Playhouse - Summer 2008
Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know
   July 11, July 19, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.
   July 13 matinee at 2:00 p.m.

Almost, Maine
   July 12, July 18, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.
   July 20 matinee at 2:00 p.m.

More information
 
Nearby Attractions

  • Sica Hollow and Roy Lake state parks

  • Nicollet Tower and Interpretive Center

  • Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe annual wacipi, or pow-wow

  • Fort Sisseton is just one of several military fort sites in North and South Dakota. Click here to learn more.

  • More attractions and events can be found at www.TravelSD.com

Photos by SD Tourism, GFP and courtesy photos

Copyright Ó 2006 State of South Dakota