Bristol, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Day
Population (2019): 308
Population (2010): 341

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Bristol is located in the northeast part of South Dakota, along US Highway 12, which recently expanded to a new 4-lane known as the Dakota Expressway.  This 4-lane stretch connects Aberdeen to Interstate 29. Bristol is a part of the Yellowstone Trail which was once a wagon track guided by yellow paint marks on telephone poles and rocks.

History

Bristol is located in the western half of Day County on Section 25 of Bristol Township, on the main line of what is now the Burlington Northern Railroad on US Highway 12.  Like many other small towns of the upper Midwest, Bristol came into being as a result of railroad expansion. In the late 1870’s, the site which became Bristol was known to railroad graders as Station #70. C.P. Prior, a district railroad surveyor and townsite agent, was given credit for naming Bristol in 1881, naming the town after Bristol, England. The people who settled in and around Bristol were mostly of the Norwegian, Swedish and German descent.

Recreation/Community Events

Stop at Bristol’s RV/Camper site which is located at the northwest corner of Handke Jubilee Park. Four sites offer water, sewer and weekly garbage service. The park is open April 1 – October 31 or as weather permits.

Bristol is within 45 miles of over ten Game, Fish & Parks Recreation areas.  It’s a great spot for hunting wildlife, including deer, pheasant, duck, geese, quail and dove.  A buffalo ranch and an elk farm is also located nearby.

Contact Information

  • The Bristol News Journal, 415 3rd St. So., Bristol, South Dakota 57219
  • 605-492-3314
  • [email protected]

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Depot Museum / Harvey Dunn School

De Smet

Great Faces. Great Places.

South Dakota is an incredibly unique state in that each region offers a completely different experience then the others. Check out each of the regions to see what each has to offer!

Badlands

Western South Dakota

Featuring the Black Hills, Badlands, the Sturgis Rally. This region tends to be the most popular.

CENTRAL REGION

This region of South Dakota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the entire central US. 

Eastern Region

The eastern region is home to the largest city in the state and provides visitors with a true "prairie" experience.