Pierre
Pierre (pron. "peer") (Lakota: Čhúŋkaške, lit. "fort") is the capital of South Dakota and the seat of Hughes County.
Understand
Etymology
The city is named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr., a fur trader and entrepreneur of French heritage.
History
The area that now comprises the city was first discovered during Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804. Sioux Indians were the majority in the area before European immigrants started settling in permanently.
Around the 1810s, fur trading entrepreneurs established a trading post in the city, which is commonly regarded as the first "permanent settlement" in the city. It wasn't until the 1880s when the city became part of the western terminus of the Chicago and North Western Railway and was named "Pierre".
When South Dakota was admitted to the union in the 1880s, Pierre got chosen as the permanent capital of the state. As the capital of South Dakota, many of the city's inhabitants work for the local government.
Pierre is one of the least populous cities in the United States; as of 2022, the population is 15,000.
Get in
By car
Pierre is not served by an Interstate highway or by any major expressways.
- If you are driving from North Dakota, take US Route 83 and then take US Route 14.
By plane
There is only one airport in the city.
- 1 Pierre Regional Airport (PIR IATA). Only has flights to and from Denver.
Get around
By car
As Pierre is one of the smallest cities in the United States, you can very easily cover the city by car. A trip to the capitol from the airport will take you 7-10 mins depending on traffic conditions.
By foot
A lot of attractions are within walking distance.
If you're up for the challenge, you can literally walk to Ramkota Hotel from the airport and it'll take you around 60-65 mins!
See
- 1 South Dakota State Capitol, ☏ +1 605 773-3688. 8AM-5PM, daily. Volunteers lead building tours every day with reservation 48 hours (business days) in advance. Free.
- 2 South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center.
- 3 Oahe Dam. South Dakota's largest dam.
- 4 Capitol Heights Baptist Church.
Do
Fishing
Launch down the Missouri River and catch some fish! The Missouri River provides plenty of fishing opportunities.
- South Dakota Walleye Charters, 509 West Elm Street, Beresford, SD, 57004, walleye@bmtc.net. Fishing guide for those wishing to start out.
Hunting
South Dakota has a deep hunting history, and Pierre offers plenty of hunting opportunities. Pierre is a good place to breed and develop your hunting skills.
- Warne Ranch & Outfitters, 3520 Lambeth Place, ☏ +1-605-264-5325, codybuckwarne@msn.com.
- Center Creek Kennels & Outfitters, ☏ +1-701-437-3710.
- Crooked Creek Outfitters, LLC, 2302 Callaway Court, ☏ +1-605-280-7714, +1-605-224-8156 (deer and antelope hunting), cco@crookedcreekoutfitter.com.
- Major League Adventures, 316 Ft. Sully Trail, ☏ +1 970-214-2891, TBruno156@aol.com.
- Dave Spaid Hunting and Fishing Guide Service, 215 Sunshine Loop, ☏ +1 605-222-5009. Hunting guide with decades of experience.
Buy
Eat
- Mad Mary's Steakhouse & Saloon, 110 E Dakota Ave, ☏ +1-605-224-6469. Monday-Saturday: 5-9pm. A popular steakhouse that has been around since 1999.
- Jake's Good Times Place. A sports bar that serves burgers and wings.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Clubhouse Hotel & Suites, 808 W Sioux Ave, ☏ +1 605-494-2582.
- 2 Ramkota Hotel, 920 W Sioux Ave, ☏ +1 605-224-6877. The most well-known hotel in the city.
- Governor's Inn, 700 W Sioux Ave.
Go next
| Routes through Pierre |
| Rapid City ← Wall ← | W  E
|
→ Miller → Brookings |
Bismarck ← Selby ← Jct  ←
|
N  S
|
→ Jct W  E → Mission → North Platte
|