De Smet, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Kingsbury
Population (2019): 1,052
Population (2010): 1,089

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Famous for being home to the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead, De Smet, South Dakota is a small town with a big history, and is truly the little town on the prairie.

History

De Smet was settled in 1879, when the railroad was constructed through the state.  The town was named after Pierre-Jean de Smet, who was a Belgian missionary to the Native Americans in the area.  The town of De Smet was originally developed as a center for dairying, and today has an economy based on agriculture.

Recreation/Community Events

De Smet is most popularly known as the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a legacy much celebrated by the town and its inhabitants.   Each summer De Smet celebrates Wilder and her life through a multitude of activities and events.

Tours are offered of the Ingalls homestead, and each summer a pageant is held, depicting the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family.  Covered wagon rides, an 1880’s school session, Ma’s Little house, a Prairie Exhibit, and more are all built around the family’s life in the town of De Smet.

Lake Thompson, also prominently featured in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, provides four season’s worth of recreation in De Smet.  Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and fishing are all popular on the lake.  Lake Thompson features a recreation area with camping and a group rental lodge.

Contact Information

  • De Smet City Hall
  • 218 Calumet Ave. SE, De Smet, SD 57231
  • (Toll Free) 1-866-528-7273
  • desmetcity@mchsi.com
  • http://desmetsd.com/

Popular Attractions

Delmonico Grill

Delmonico Grill

Rapid City

Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp

Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp

Custer

Arc of Dreams

Arc of Dreams

Sioux Falls

6th Meridian Hop Farm

6th Meridian Hop Farm

Yankton

Comfort Inn & Suites

Comfort Inn & Suites

Sioux Falls

Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association

Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association

Watertown

Black Hills Mining Museum

Black Hills Mining Museum

Lead

Roy’s Black Hills Twin Drive-In

Roy’s Black Hills Twin Drive-In

Hermosa

Cheyenne Crossing and Stage Stop Cafe

Cheyenne Crossing and Stage Stop Cafe

Lead

Wylie Thunder Road

Wylie Thunder Road

Aberdeen

Wall Drug Store, Inc.

Wall Drug Store, Inc.

Wall

Econo Lodge

Econo Lodge

Belle Fourche

Motion Unlimited Museum and Antique Car Lot

Motion Unlimited Museum and Antique Car Lot

Rapid City

Lead Area Chamber of Commerce

Lead Area Chamber of Commerce

Lead

Buffalo Dreamer

Buffalo Dreamer

Hot Springs

Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant

Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant

Sioux Falls

Sylvan Rocks Climbing School & Guide Service

Sylvan Rocks Climbing School & Guide Service

Hill City

Tri-State Museum

Tri-State Museum

Belle Fourche

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.