South Dakota Heartland Trip Planner

Welcome to South Dakota Heartland!

The mighty waters of the Missouri River are the dominating feature of the South Dakota Heartland. The river is known for its plentiful supply of walleye, attracting anglers eager to embark on their own fishing trips or take a guided charter. A bounty of state recreation areas play host to activities that include camping, mountain biking, swimming, boating and wildlife observation. Situated on the Missouri River in central South Dakota, the capital city of Pierre boasts an enjoyable blend of history and recreation. The 115-acre (47-ha) grounds at the city's State Capitol Complex are close to several monuments and memorials of interest. Stay at Pierre's comfortable hotel accommodations or, for a more rustic experience, one of the area's guest ranches or hunting lodges. Fans of the film Dances with Wolves relish a trip to Triple U Buffalo Ranch in Fort Pierre, a 60,000-acre (24,280-ha) working buffalo ranch used in the filming of the 1990 Oscar-winning movie.