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A traditional Lakota (Sioux) powwow helps Native American children, like those at St. Joseph's Indian School, appreciate their culture, develop pride in their heritage and share their traditions with friends like you from around the nation. Since 1976, St. Joseph's Indian School has hosted an annual weekend of Lakota culture on our Chamberlain campus. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged to attend many or all of our powwow activities. The powwow takes place on Saturday. In 2026, we celebrate 50 years of honoring Lakota (Sioux) culture, tradition and community at St. Joseph’s Indian School’s largest event of the year. Attend one day or enjoy the full weekend. Admission is free, but registration is required (available online).

Annual Powwow & Cultural Celebration

The annual Fort Pierre Horse Races at the Stanley County Fairgrounds are held in early October. Races feature quarter horses and thoroughbreds and take place on Saturday. Sunday is an "alternative" day in case of inclement weather on Saturday. Admission is $10 (free for ages 16 and under). 2026 marks the 78th year of Fort Pierre Horse Racing.

Fort Pierre Horse Races

Opening day of the pheasant hunting season in South Dakota is the third Saturday of October. The season then lasts through January 31 of the following year. Shooting hours are 10 a.m. (Central Time) to sunset for the entire season. (Central Time is used for opening shooting hours statewide.) Hunting licenses are required for both resident and non-resident hunters, including youth.

Pheasant Hunting Season

The annual Christmas at the Capitol display in Pierre includes nearly 100 trees that are decorated by volunteers from communities, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and state government offices. This year's Grand Lighting Ceremony takes place in the rotunda on Tuesday, November 25, at 7 p.m. The 2025 display is then open to the public daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, December 26, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day. Other areas of the Capitol are also decorated for the holiday season, including the Capitol grounds. Admission is free.

Christmas at the Capitol

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Don’t miss these unique stops at blooming sunflower fields in South Dakota from July to August. 

Explore the Sunflower Corridors of South Dakota

Discover a road where the spirit of the Great Plains meets the rich heritage of Native nations.

Journey Through Culture & Nature: Exploring the Native American Scenic Byway

Explore the Cheyenne River Reservation’s scenic and cultural attractions, including Timber Lake and the Native American Scenic Byway.

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Covering 2.3 million acres, the Standing Rock Indian Reservation is the fifth-largest reservation in the United States.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Find out how a chance discovery by three children revealed a hidden link to South Dakota’s earliest European explorers.

Discovering the Verendrye Plate

Whether you prefer kayaking or canoeing, paddling the Missouri River in South Dakota — also known as The Mighty Mo — deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Paddling the Missouri River