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capital city of South Dakota and county seat of Hughes County
North America > United States of America > Great Plains > South Dakota > Great Lakes (South Dakota) > Pierre

Pierre (pron. "peer") (Lakota: Čhúŋkaške, lit. "fort") is the capital of South Dakota and the seat of Hughes County.

South Dakota State Capitol

Understand edit

Etymology edit

The city is named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr., a fur trader and entrepreneur of French heritage.

History edit

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 was 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 state capitals in the United States; as of 2022, the population is 15,000.

Tourist information edit

Get in edit

 
Map of Pierre

By car edit

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.
  • From Interstate 90 Pierre is another 35 mi (56 km) north along US Route 83 from Vivian (Exit 212 of I-90).

By plane edit

There is only one airport in the city.

By bus edit

  • 2 River Cities Transit (Operated by Community Coordinated Transit), (office/bus garage) 1600 E Dakota Ave (E Dakota & S Harrison. Public entry at north/northwest side of the main building from S Harrison. Map marker is approximately where the entry is), ☏ +1 609 945-2360. (office hours) M-F 8AM-5PM; Sa Su 1-3PM. Daily connections from Pierre to Highmore through Blunt, Harrold and Holabard along US Hwy 14. They also sell tickets and connect with Jefferson Lines in Vivian. (updated Feb 2022)

Get around edit

By car edit

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 min depending on traffic conditions.

By foot edit

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 edit

  • 2 Fighting Stallions Memorial, 500 E Capitol Ave (east/southeast of the Capitol grounds). A memorial dedicated to eight South Dakotans who perished in an airplane crash. (updated Jan 2022)

Do edit

Fishing edit

Launch down the Missouri River and catch some fish! The Missouri River provides plenty of fishing opportunities.

Hunting edit

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.

Buy edit

  • 1 Northridge Plaza, 1615 N Harrison Ave. M-F 9AM-8PM; Sa 10AM-6PM; Su noon-5PM. Alley Exchange, Bath & Body Works, Karl's TV & Appliances, Hibbett Sports, Hobby Lobby, Maurices, etc.   (updated Jan 2022)

Eat edit

Drink edit

Sleep edit

Go next edit

Routes through Pierre
Rapid City ← Wall ←  W   E  → Miller → Brookings
Bismarck ← Selby ← Jct   ←  N   S  → Jct W   E → Mission → North Platte


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