Sioux City, Ponca and Yankton ROAD TRIP

Discover the sagas of Lewis & Clark Expedition members Sergeant Floyd and Private Shannon, and enjoy the mighty Missouri River, sweeping lakes and family-friendly recreation areas.

Sioux City, IA

This historic river town features a number of historic and event centers including the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Betty Strong Encounter Center, Sergeant Floyd Monument, Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, Mid-America Museum of Aviation and Transportation, the Sioux City Railroad Museum, Fourth Street Historic District,Sioux City Arts Center, Sioux City Public Museum, War Eagle Monument, Trinity Heights, Flight 232 Memorial, and the Presbytery of Prospect Hill Monument. The Sergeant Floyd Monument marks the burial site for the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s only casualty. For more information, go to: ExploreSiouxCity.org.

Sergeant Bluff, IA

Corps of Discovery Welcome Center and Rest Area.

Onawa, IA

Lewis & Clark Center Keelboat
display and re-enactment area, Lewis & Clark State Park features a 250-acre Blue Lake with boat ramps, beaches, swimming, fishing and camping. For more information, go to: Onawa.com.
Site of a Lewis & Clark campsite

Moorhead, IA

Loess Hills Hospitality & Visitors Center.

Tekamah & Decatur, NE

Summit Lake State Recreation Area on Hwy 32 West, includes camping, fishing and hunting. Tekamah features the Burt County Museum. Missouri River access and camping at Beck Park in Decatur.

Macy, NE

Omaha Indian Reservation, Blackbird Hill Scenic Overlook, Annual Powwow. Lewis & Clark paid tribute at the grave of Chief Blackbird near today’s Scenic Overlook.

Winnebago, NE

Winnebago Indian Reservation, Angel De Cora Memorial Museum and Research Center, Honoring-The-Clans Sculpture Garden and Cultural Plaza, Cultural Center and Museum, Annual Powwow. Go to: WinnebagoTribe.com.

Dakota City, NE

Cottonwood Cove Park.

South Sioux City, NE

Siouxland Freedom Park on Riverside Drive has the only half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and a dog park.

Ponca, NE

Ponca State Park – Gateway to the Missouri National Recreational River. 2,166-acre park features interpretative programs conference and educational center, modern cabins, scenic trails, horseback trail rides, swimming pool, special events, hiking, picnicking, golf course, and boat ramp access to the Missouri River. For current park features, go to: OutdoorNebraska.org.

Crofton, NE

Lewis & Clark Lake, Shannon Trail experience. For more info, go to: ShannonTrail.com.
Lewis & Clark’s Pvt. George Shannon was lost for 15 days in the area

Lewis & Clark Lake State Recreation Area, NE

4-miles west of NE 121 & R54C. Includes 5 recreation areas: Weigand-Burbach, Bloomfield, Miller Creek, Deep Water, and South Shore. Weigand-Burbach has full service marina, modern cabins, camping, boat ramps, playgrounds, etc. Other sites have boat ramps, camping, hiking, horse back trail, etc. For current park features, go to: OutdoorNebraska.org.

Santee, NE

Santee Sioux Indian Reservation is host to an annual powwow. For more info, go to: ShannonTrail.com.

Niobrara, NE

Kreycik Riverview Elk Ranch, Ponca Tribal Museum, Chief Standing Bear Memorial Bridge Turnout. Niobrara State Park – at NE-12. 1,314-acre park features modern cabins, group conference facilities, camping, swimming, horseback trail rides, boat access to the Missouri River. Lewis & Clark’s Pvt. George Shannon was lost for 15 days in the area. For current park features, go to: OutdoorNebraska.org.

Lynch, NE

Lewis & Clark first saw prairie dogs at “Old Baldy Landmark” near Lynch, NE.

Pickstown, SD

Fort Randall Dam and Francis Case Lake, Fort Randall historic military post site, Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation, Annual powwow. Randall Creek Recreation Area includes, camping, fishing, boat ramps, picnic shelter and playground.

Springfield Recreation Area, SD

Adjacent to Springfield on the Missouri River. Includes camping, cabins, boating and fishing plus nearby 9-hole golf course. Springfield Historical Society Museum is nearby. For more info, go to: gfp.sd.gov

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, SD

Resort and Marina includes motel, cabins, swimming pool, restaurant, slip and boat rentals. Activities in the recreation area include camping, hike/bike and swim beaches, fishing, power and sail boating, the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center. For more info, go to: gfp.sd.gov

Pierson Ranch Recreation Area, SD

West of Yankton and on the north side of Gavins Point Dam,  features camping, camping cabins, picnic shelters, and playground. For more info, go to: gfp.sd.gov

Chief White Crane Recreation Area, SD

West of Yankton and southeast of Yankton Lake features camping, boat ramps, picnic shelters and playground. Majestic bald eagles winter here.

Yankton, SD

Gateway to Gavins Point Dam and Spillway, the Mead Museum, historic homes and shopping and dining in the Meridian District along the Missouri River. For more info, go to: YanktonSD.com.
Pierre Dorian Monument Lewis & Clark Site

Vermillion, SD

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie State Park, W.H. Over Museum, Clay County Park. For more info, go to: www.vermillionchamber.com
Lewis & Clark climbed the mound on August 25, 1804, one of the few places that we know the exact location where they stood

Elk Point, SD

Elk Point Heritage Park, 7 Nations Memorial Park, Lewis & Clark Heritage Days.
Vicinity of Patrick Gass Election Lewis & Clark Site

North Sioux City, SD

Clay County Park and Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve – Exit 4 off of I-29 at North Sioux City on the Missouri River. Pioneer homestead buildings, interpretative exhibits, and hike/bike trails.