Vermillion, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Clay
Population (2019): 10,926
Population (2010): 10,571

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Nestled in the southeastern corner of South Dakota, the area now known as Vermillion was first explored by fur traders in the 1700s and was utilized as a campsite by Lewis and Clark during their expeditions in the summer of 1804. Officially incorporated as a city in 1873, Vermillion is the tenth largest city in the state and is the county seat of Clay County. Although it’s now perched on top of a bluff along the Missouri River, Vermilion lost 75% of its original square footage to the wrath of the 1881 flood. As of the 2000 census, the city was home to nearly 10,000 residents.

Vermillion is renowned for offering big-city attractions with small-town charm. The city’s culture and activities center primarily on the University of South Dakota, once attended by famous news anchor Tom Brokaw. The university is acclaimed for its accredited academic programs, including the only law and medical schools in the state. Fine arts are also a prime area of focus, with an on-campus museum exhibiting prints by renowned artist Oscar Howe. Vermilion also offers six public schools that serve students from kindergarten age through high-school. In addition to academics, farming serves as a substantial source of income to the city. The most lucrative cultivated crops are corn, soybeans, and alfalfa.

Vermillion’s expansive Dakota Dome, which accommodates more than 10,000 spectators, is South Dakota’s only sports dome. Music enthusiasts can visit the National Music Museum, founded in 1973 on the campus of the University of South Dakota. A destination of thousands each year, the museum’s collective exhibits showcase more than 13,500 international instruments from a variety of cultures and time periods.

Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Vermillion. Prentis Park boasts two public swimming pools, basketball courts, a baseball field, and playground equipment. There are a variety of nature trails and walking paths that meander along the Missouri River. Downtown Vermillion offers a variety of unique shops and eclectic dining establishments, such as the Elk Creek Steakhouse.

Popular Attractions

Cody’s Smokehouse BBQ

Cody’s Smokehouse BBQ

Sioux Falls

Al’s Oasis

Al’s Oasis

Oacoma

Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill

Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill

Interior

Alpine Inn

Alpine Inn

Hill City

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour

Custer

Murals on the Town

Murals on the Town

Huron

Pizza King

Pizza King

Brookings

Lucky Dog Bar & Grill

Lucky Dog Bar & Grill

Volga

Midway Drive-In

Midway Drive-In

Miller

Days Inn

Days Inn

Yankton

Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

Mitchell

Oxbow Restaurant

Oxbow Restaurant

De Smet

SculptureWalk

SculptureWalk

Sioux Falls

Paddy O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Grill

Paddy O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Grill

Deadwood

Dakota Emporium Trading Post

Dakota Emporium Trading Post

Fort Pierre

Red Barn Grill & Cafe

Red Barn Grill & Cafe

Lennox

Days of 76 Museum

Days of 76 Museum

Deadwood

The Homestead Coffee Co.

The Homestead Coffee Co.

Salem

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.