Whether you’re coming from the West or heading back East, we’re happy to welcome you to Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The East-West route through Aberdeen on U.S. Highway 12, was the country’s first transcontinental highway billed “The Yellowstone Trail.” It was first established in 1912 – the stretch between Ipswich, SD, and Aberdeen – and runs from Massachusetts to Seattle, Washington.

On your way, you might be looking for a quick place to stretch your legs or a way to spend an afternoon before crashing in Aberdeen. Either way, there are some neat stops along the way!

Missouri River Recreation

There are several South Dakota State Parks and Recreation areas along the Missouri River, with nearby cities as far north as Pollock, South Dakota, and as far south as Gettysburg, South Dakota.

A day pass to state parks is $8 per vehicle or $36 for an annual pass that’s good from Memorial Day weekend to that same time next year.

Each park has unique views and amenities — some are better for hiking and some offer a place to target practice. Either way, a great way to spend an afternoon on your way to Aberdeen.

• West Pollock Recreation Area
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
• Indian Creek Recreation Area
  • Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddleboarding
  • Historical interest
  • Trapshooting/rifle range
• Revheim Bay Recreation Area
  • Archery range
  • ATV & Off-Highway Vehicles
  • Swimming
• Swan Creek Recreation Area
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
• West Whitlock Recreation Area
  • Birdwatching
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Hiking

Lemmon, South Dakota

If you’re heading to Aberdeen from the West via U.S. Highway 12, you might just be heading through Lemmon.

This city of about 1,200 people lies about 200 miles west of Aberdeen on Hwy. 12 and is filled with hidden gems and nearby parks.

• Found object sculptor John Lopez lives outside of town and has a gallery on Main Street.
• Petrified Park
  • The world’s largest collection of petrified wood takes up a city block in Lemmon.
• Leonardo DiCaprio won his only Oscar for his portrayal of Hugh Glass in 2015’s “The Revenant.” In real life, Glass was famously attacked by a grizzly bear outside of what is present-day Lemmon.
  • A marker memorializing Glass can be found south of Lemmon near two South Dakota State Parks.
• Shadehill Recreation Area
  • Archery range
  • Historical interest
  • Horseback Riding
• Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area
  • Camping

Faith, South Dakota

• Home of SUE the T-Rex; it now resides in Chicago at the Field Museum.

Hoven, South Dakota

• St. Anthony of Padua, Cathedral of the Prairie.

Mobridge, South Dakota

This city gets its name from the bridge that preceded it. Before the town was established, people were sending mail to the Missouri River Bridge, abbreviating the river’s name to Mo. The city proper lies to the east of the river.

Features include:

• The Sitting Bull Memorial: Located seven miles southwest of town.
• Riverfront walking path: a two-mile recreation trail that hugs the Missouri River.

Eureka, South Dakota

Eureka is a hotbed for Germans-from-Russia history, including the Eureka Pioneer Museum.

When you stop, check and see if the Eureka Kuchen Factory is open.