“Relive the Western Frontier!”
Named after the nearby Sisseton Indian Tribe, this historic fort is now a picturesque state park that unfolds the area's past. Walk the grounds where the officers' quarters, stone barracks, powder magazine, guard house, and other buildings that remain from time of the western frontier. This 1864 fort, atop the Coteau des Prairies (or hills of the prairies), was originally a frontier army outpost called Fort Wadsworth. The site was chosen because it provided a strong natural defense, an ample supply of lime and clay for making bricks, an abundance of lake water for drinking and a thick stand of trees for timber and fuel. Join the festivities for entertainment, culture and history during the annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival. The festival features period entertainment and activities and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Reviews of Fort Sisseton State Historical Park
4 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on July 04, 2023Note: the there is a separate $6 daily charge for the park that is not included in the fee for camping. Go to the visitor center (to the left as you enter the park- when you arrive to pay it and get your sticker. While there, visit the EXCELLENT museum and tour the fort.
Perhaps it's because this park is tucked into the northeast corner of SD so not many people have been here because I cannot believe anyone would stay here and NOT review it. It's wonderful. OK we have the best site- 10E -which faces west with nothing but a horse paddock in front of us and trees surrounding us and the CG is small (only 10 sites in this area and with 4 tent sites on the other side with the 2 camp host sites. All sites-HUGE and private BTW- have only electric (30A/20A) but there are 3 water spigots conveniently located in the campground, behind the stables where the showers are and by the picnic shelter on the right as you enter the park. Picnic table and fire ring at each site which are level and gravel with well tended grass extending around each site. The road through the CG is asphalt and easily navigable. There are vault toilets in the camping area but a short walk across to the fort there are large bathrooms with immaculate flush toilets and LARGE showers with good hot water and pressure. The one negative is that there is no dump here-it is about 10 miles up the road at Roy Lake SP.
We are sorry we have only 1 night to spend at this park that we only found at the last minute as there are a number of places close by (including a Museum of Vinegar 1/2 hour away in Roslyn) and several hiking trails as well as Kettle Lake for boating. This area of SD-the Glacial Lakes and prairies is studded with sapphire blue lakes and is beautiful.
Nightly Rate: $21.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 10E
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Thoroughly enjoyed camping here even if it was just one night. The fort’s buildings were interesting. We camped here on Wednesday night on our way to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and there was only one other camper in the campground. Vault toilet clean . Also a cool old stable that houses a modern restroom with shower and flush toilets. Lots of trees for shade. This place is not an easy place to get to but worth it.
Nightly Rate: $26.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We arrived on Sunday, the day after their annual Harvest Festival. Unfortunately the staff took the day off and they were closed on Monday, so we didn’t get to take the full tour. Beautiful setting, fort buildings are very well preserved. Bath/shower facilities are in the restored stable. Campsites are just OK, can be buggy. Long drive from the main highway, but worth it. Check to make sure the historic site is open when you’re there
Nightly Rate: $38.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 6
Our camping experience at Fort Sisseton was absolutely great, the park staff was very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Our rate was $26.00 per night with our South Dakota State Parks Pass. This campsite had 30 amp hookup with picnic table, fire ring, and plenty of shade trees. The modern restrooms and showers (located in the stone building) were exceptionally clean. The showers were hot and free. We received 3-bars of Verizon coverage. The fort tour guide was very professional and knowledgeable, overall a very pleasant and informative experience. We would definitely camp here again, we loved the peacefulness and quiet surrounding!
Nightly Rate: $26.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 9
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 5G
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Fort Sisseton State Historical Park
Hours
- Sun, Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 12
- Last Nightly Rate
- 26.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 33.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 17.0
- Max Stay
- 14
- Sites Count
- 14
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Slide Outs
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground, Parking, Restrooms
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