The Arboretum Trail follows the perimeter of the Yankton High School and the Summit Activities Center located at 1801 Summit Street. The trail includes an arboretum with native trees, bushes, wildflowers, and native grasses that are identified with numbered guideposts. The Arbor of Life and Learning sculpture, created by David Ruhnau and donated by Don and Pat Bierle, is also a feature of the trail. An outdoor classroom with bench seating can be found near the Arbor. Recreational fields for soccer, baseball, and football are located along the trail, plus lighted tennis courts.

Auld-Brokaw Trail Trailhead is a popular starting point for hikers and bikers looking to explore the scenic Auld-Brokaw Trail in Yankton, South Dakota. The trailhead offers ample parking and easy access to the 3-mile paved path, which winds through peaceful countryside and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll or a challenging bike ride along the trail, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.

Brew Station is our brewing headquarters in a 28,500 sq. foot building. It's also home to a very large taproom (298 person capacity) and a huge patio. 28 beers on tap and a bunch of awesome pinball games, arcade games, and free games like corn hole, bocce, and more. A real beer destination. A great place to bring the family and your dogs!

Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel, in stone, glass, and wood, represents the charisma and values of Sacred Heart Monastery’s Benedictine sisters. The foundress, Mother Gertrude Leupi (1848-1904) and her companions from the new Benedictine convent of Maria Rickenbach in Switzerland, established the Yankton community in Maryville, MO, on November 17, 1880. From there, some of the pioneer sisters ministered at Fort Yates, ND, on the Standing Rock Reservation. Later the sisters moved the motherhouse to Zell, SD, and in 1889 to Yankton at the urging of Martin Marty, then Vicar Apostolic of Dakota Territory.

The Chapel was completed and consecrated in 1950. The anniversary of the consecration of the chapel is celebrated annually on July 27.

The Chalk Bluffs Multi-Use Trail for equestrian riders, mountain bikers, and hikers covers 4.1 miles of up and down slopes on the bluffs and hills at the western end of Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. Choose from three different loops for the beginner to the experienced trail user. Vault toilets, youth tent camping, fresh water for horses, picnic tables and firegrates are all available at the base camp. The base camp area offers eight reservable sites for overnight equestrian users only. Please observe good trail etiquette, stay on designated trails, avoid tethering horses to trees, and bicyclists - - please yield to horses. This trail is marked with distance markers and directional arrows

The Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home, located at 509 Pine St in Yankton, SD, is a historic Victorian-era house that has been lovingly restored to its former glory. This beautifully preserved home offers visitors a glimpse into the past, with period furnishings and decor that transport you back in time. Guided tours are available to learn about the history of the house and its former residents, giving a fascinating insight into life in the late 19th century. The Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home is a must-see for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Located in Yankton's Riverside Park, this replica of the territorial capitol includes photographs of old Yankton, maps of the Dakota Territory, a collection of former Territorial governors, and other artifacts on display. This capitol replica symbolizes Yankton as being the first capitol of the Dakota Territory from 1861- 1883. The replica is patterned after the original Dakota Territorial Capitol built in Yankton in 1862 and torn down in 1886. The building is only open upon request through the City of Yankton.

This war memorial is a tribute to veterans of all wars. The monument lists more than 50 names of Yankton County World War II veterans who have died in the fight for freedom. Fantle Memorial Park is also home to the Avenue of Flags, a presentation of the five service flags and hundreds of American flags. These flags are displayed six times a year: Loyalty Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Each flag pole has a nameplate that bears the name or names of fallen soldiers.

The G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery now features changing exhibits that vary from world-famous artists to both professional and amateur regional artists to local children. The gallery provides a beautiful setting for meetings, receptions, and parties hosted by YAA. The classroom in the lower level offers artists a place for classes, informal meetings, and solitary creativity. The kitchen is fully equipped with attractive table settings to accommodate elegant dinners and receptions in the gallery. In addition, the gallery has acquired, through gifts, an interesting collection of historical antique furnishings. In 1877 a trial was held in the Dakota Territorial Courthouse (across the lot from the G.A.R. Hall) for the murder of James Butler Hickok (Wild Bill). Jack McCall was tried, convicted, and sentenced to be "Hanged by the neck until dead". The gallows and hanging were supposedly done behind the Territorial Courthouse. The Gravesite can be found on the border of Sacred Heart Cemetery and the Yankton City Cemetery. A table that was used in McCall's trial (he may well have been seated at this table) has been faithfully restored to its original condition and is on display in the gallery.

Winding through native woods, across meadows and past scenic overlooks, the 1.2 mile Gavins Point Nature Trail will add interest and enjoyment to your Lewis and Clark Lake visit. An overlook shelter at the top of the trail offers a beautiful view of scenic Lewis and Clark Lake and the chalkrock bluffs in the distance. A sharp-eyed viewer may spy hawks circling in updrafts, and cliff swallows making high-rise homes in the rocky cliffs. This trail will acquaint you with some plants, wildlife and other natural features of the area. Deer, turkey, rabbits and squirrels are just some of the animals that can be seen along the trail, along with several species of birds. Be sure to pick up our “Bird Checklist” at the Welcome Center. Stay on the trail for safe footing and to avoid thorns, burrs or plants that may cause skin irritations. Vehicles, bicycles and horses are prohibited. This is a foot trail only

Located within the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, the Gavins Point Disc Golf course requires an entrance fee. The Gavins Point Disc Golf course has scorecards at the beginning of hole 1. Hole 1 is easily accessible from the boat launch parking lot. Conveniently, the state has printed scorecards and pencils located right at the beginning of the course. The back side of the scorecard is cleverly covered with “birdies” – images identifying local birds that may be spotted while you play Gavins Point Disc Golf course. Aa selection of discs are available at no cost to play Gavins Point Disc Golf course. Giving it a try with borrowed discs is a great way to explore a new sport.

Within the 59-Mile District of the Wild and Scenic River, between Yankton and Vermillion, lies Goat Island. Accessible only by watercraft, Goat Island is 3-miles long and a quarter-mile at its widest. The fine sand and loamy soil manifest expansive sandbars, sleepy backchannels, and a dense forest of old-growth cottonwoods with profuse underbrush of red cedar, dogwood, sumac and wild grape. The island hosts deer, beaver, muskrat and turkey. Goat Island derived its name from the goat herd grazed there in the 1940s and 50s. Near the upper end of Goat Island, on the Nebraska side, lies the ribs of the North Alabama steamboat, which sank after hitting a snag on October 27, 1870.

Welcome to The House of Mary Shrine
The House of Mary Shrine is located 6 miles west of Yankton, SD. Three Crosses tower above from a bluff overlooking Lewis & Clark Lake. The bluff is similar to other bluffs near Gavins Point Dam with its panoramic view while eagles soar above, and wildlife flourishes. There is much more to this bluff however, as the three giant Crosses stand, sentinel reminders of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Down the slope, other surprises await—a Chapel, statues, flowing waters, a Holy Innocents Garden, the Way of the Cross, the Way of the Saints, Rosaries, Veteran's Memorial, Gift Shop and more. It is quiet, peaceful and inviting to all who pass by. It is an oasis for prayer.

Come and enjoy for yourself the tranquil sanctity.

One might ask, “What is a shrine?” The late Lambert Hoch answered: “A shrine is a place in which people can pause, rest, meditate and become refreshed in mind and in body.”

This Shrine began its development when a young couple, Ed and Jean English, purchased land to build a home. A Priest told them to “save a portion for God.” They were also told “you will be surprised the people God will send to help.” And so it is, since 1971, the Shrine has grown and developed through work of volunteers and generous donations.

Come for a visit and discover for yourself the quiet beauty.

For information, to volunteer, or to make a donation, contact the Shrine at thehouseofmaryshrine@gmail.com, PO Box 455, Yankton, SD 57078, or 605-668-0121.

Being the first territorial capital of the Dakotas, Yankton hosted the trial and hanging of the notorious Jack McCall for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok. The trial began on Dec. 4, 1876 in a courtroom at what is now present-day intersection of Third and Capital Streets. Two days later, the jury found McCall guilty. McCall’s hanging took place on March 1, 1877 near the present day intersection of Highway 81 and Highway 50. The hanging is remembered by a historical plaque, which is located in the parking lot on the south end of the Human Services Center. The gravestone of Jack McCall was just placed on his burial site in 2017.

Stroll into the reflection garden on the sidewalk from the south and then enter the labyrinth to journey to the center of the garden. If you are there during the midday, you can utilize the McVay Family Sundial, which incorporates the Benedictine Cross, to determine the time of day. There is also a pergola with bench on the east side of the garden to allow for rest and meditation.

The range features both a practice range and 28-target archery trail located in the Gavins Section of the park.   The archery trail meets NFAA standards consisting of 28 targets in various terrain. The practice range consists of 8 targets varying from 15 yards to 80 yards, along with two elevated shooting platforms. A Park Entrance License is required. There is a SVT near the practice range and a modern comfort station near the 28-target trail. Field tip arrows are acceptable (no broad heads are allowed).

Operating hours are sunup to sundown, April 2 - September 30. The range and trail is closed for hunting October 1 - April 1.

The most popular trail at Lewis and Clark is the 6.2-mile scenic bike trail that winds around all campground areas of the park and continues an additional 4 miles into the City of Yankton. This popular paved trail is open to various park users including bicyclists, joggers, walkers, roller skaters, roller bladers and anyone looking for a relaxing place to enjoy the beauty of Lewis and Clark Lake. The trail starts at the Pierson Ranch Recreation Area and follows the shoreline of picturesque Lewis & Clark Lake to the western end of the Gavins Point campground, then continues around the northern boundary of the camping areas for a different route on your return trip.

The Mead Museum, located on the north edge of Yankton, provides visitors of all ages an authentic historical experience in a beautiful building. There are 3 floors of exhibits including the fully interactive Children's Transportation Museum, an exhibit that follows the journey of Lewis & Clark, as well as an exhibit about the history of the Yankton State Hospital. Summer 2024 will feature brand new exhibit programs: "Spanning a Century: The Meridian Highway Bridge"; "Homestead Hardships: Surviving Dakota Territory", and 2 exhibits that celebrate the history of the St. John's Lodge Masonic Temple as well as the Yankton Fire Department. "South Dakota in Postcards" continues through the end of September. In addition, the outside Heritage Park, currently being developed, will bring history to life through buildings such as the 1906 Gunderson school house, a Great Northern Railroad Depot, 1870s blacksmith shop and more. Summer hours are Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm-4pm. Winter hours are Monday-Saturday noon-4pm.

The historic structure most readily visible from Yankton's riverfront is the Meridian Bridge. It is notable as the first permanent river crossing in the Yankton vicinity and as one of the final links in the Meridian Highway, an early north-south route from Winnipeg, Canada, to Mexico City, Mexico. The vertical lift design was a typical period engineering solution to a typical problem of spanning a wide navigable river, and thus did not garner much attention in engineering circles in the 1920s. The region's population, however, considered it an outstanding bridge engineering accomplishment that greatly improved economic and social connections across the Nebraska and South Dakota border.

Located in Yankton, SD, the Missouri National Recreational River Headquarters building serves as the visitor contact station and office for this national park site. In 1978 and 1991, two sections of the Missouri River were established as a unit of the National Park Service to preserve and protect the natural, cultural, and recreational values of the last unchannelized and unimpounded segments of America’s longest river along the South Dakota and Nebraska border. Explore the two districts of the park with the 39-Mile District stretching from just below the Fort Randall Dam down to Running Water and the 59-Mile District that runs from below Gavin's Point Dam to Ponca State Park. Missouri National Recreational River is where imagination meets reality. Relive the past by making an exploration of the wild, untamed, and mighty river that continues to flow as nature intended. The headquarters building is open Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm and is closed on weekends and all federal holidays.

Decades ago, when the Meridian Bridge was built, Yankton city officials had the foresight to purchase land on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River where the bridge would connect the two states. Today, the City of Yankton Primitive Trails program has designated that area beneath the Meridian and west to the new Discovery Bridge as a hiking and biking figure-8 trail.

NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center is a premier archery facility located in Yankton, South Dakota. It offers state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, equipment rentals, classes, and tournaments for archers of all skill levels. The center is affiliated with the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and is sponsored by Easton, a leading manufacturer of archery products. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics of archery or a seasoned competitor looking to hone your skills, NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center has everything you need to take your archery game to the next level.

Paddle Wheel Point Trail starts at the southern terminus of the paved Auld-Brokaw Trail. It provied views of the Meridian Bridge and a sweeping vista of one of the last free-flowing stretches of the river. Access the trail from the Yankton Thrive Visilro Center on East 4th Streeth. Canoeist and kayakers can also launch to float the Missouri.

Pierre Dorian was the first white settler in the Yankton area. He lived among the Yankton Sioux at the time that Lewis and Clark passed through in 1804. Lewis and Clark convinced Dorian to accompany them on their expedition and to serve as an Indian interpreter. Dorian later returned to the Yankton area. His grave was located by a local historian and a memorial marker dedicated in 2002.

Presented by U.S. Submarine Veterans WWII South Dakota Chapter, this historical marker is located near the Missouri River on the West side of the Meridian Bridge. Scorpion was launched on July 20, 1942 and their first patrol was a hunting and mining mission near Honshu, Japan in April 1943. Scorpion went on three patrols that earned her a battle star. She was involved with a series of torpedo attacks and gun battles. On Jan. 5, 1944, Scorpion rendezvoused with Herring to transfer an injured man, but heavy seas prevented a safe transfer. Scorpion and 77 courageous crewmen were never seen again.

Sertoma Park offers a range of outdoor amenities for everyone to enjoy. With its outdoor hockey rink, football field, and six baseball/softball fields complete with seating, there's plenty of space for sports enthusiasts to play and spectate. Additionally, the park features a playground suitable for children of all ages, making it the perfect destination for families looking to spend quality time outdoors.

Spirit Mound, or Paha Wakan, was known by tribes for miles around before the Lewis and Clark expedition ever came to the area. Lewis and Clark reported that the people of the Omaha, Oto, and Yankton tribes believed that the mound was occupied by the little people who shot any human who came near.

Spirit Mound is located six miles north of Vermillion, SD along State Highway 19. Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark when you visit Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Spirit Mound has a rich variety of prairie wildflowers and grasses and is home to fritillary butterflies, birds and many other prairie mammals.

Created on July 1, 2021, through a merger between the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce and Yankton Area Progressive Growth, Yankton Thrive unites over 500 businesses, individuals and professional firms, thus creating a unique, central agency committed to boosting business and building a better community. Visit Yankton's Tourism Department's mission is to increase the economic impact and facilitate the continued development of the visitor industry in Yankton. Its staff is dedicated to promoting tourism in Yankton and helping all businesses benefit from the economic impact of visitor spending.