South Dakota's Quintessential 'Little Town On The Prairie' Has Storybook Charm And Pioneer History

One of the most famous chroniclers of American pioneer life is Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the partially autobiographical "Little House on the Prairie" book series. Through her writing, she vividly depicted pioneer life for generations of readers. The nine-book series follows the Ingalls family from Laura's childhood to early adulthood, recounting experiences of white settlers homesteading in the American Midwest and West during the late 1800s. While beloved around the world and widely read, the books' legacy is complex. During the era they depict, the U.S. government was forcibly removing Native Americans from their lands and opening the territory to settlers under the Homestead Act of 1862. The Ingalls family was among those who moved west under these policies, claiming a homestead in what is now South Dakota and helping establish the town of De Smet — the real-life "little town on the prairie."

Today, De Smet remains a small community of around 1,000 residents, but it welcomes thousands of visitors each year, drawn to the history and small-town charm made famous by the "Little House" books and television series. Pioneer heritage is the main attraction: Visitors can see authentic Ingalls family artifacts, tour historic sites where the family lived and worked, try their hand at pioneer-era activities, and attend the popular annual summer pageant. De Smet also offers boutique shopping, local eateries, and access to outdoor recreation, including fishing, hunting, camping, birdwatching, and golf. City leaders have also announced plans to expand local agricultural industries and strengthen the economy.

Located in northeastern South Dakota, De Smet is about 55 miles north of Interstate 90 and 45 miles west of Interstate 29. Sioux Falls, the closest major city known for its artsy vibe and scenic waterfalls, is approximately 100 miles away. Two regional airports, in Huron and Watertown, are each within a 55-mile radius.

De Smet's main street, Calumet Avenue, is easily walkable, with markers noting the historical significance of many buildings. Purchase a ticket at the Wilder Visitor Center to access all buildings for a self-paced tour, with helpful docents on hand, or book a scavenger hunt for an interactive experience.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society maintains three original structures and more than 2,000 artifacts, including the Third Street home built by Pa around 1887, the first De Smet school attended by Laura and her sister Carrie, and the Surveyors' House — the town's oldest building, constructed by railroad surveyors and where the Ingalls spent the winter of 1879, as described in "By the Shores of Silver Lake." The home is furnished with period items, including a replica of the canned peaches, pickles, and saltine crackers that the Ingalls ate their first night there. You can also pay respects at De Smet Cemetery, where several family members are buried.

Ward's Store & Bakery occupies the former Course Opera House, located above the Course hardware store across the street from Pa Ingalls' former store. Built in 1886, much of the original architecture remains. Today, you can order breakfast or lunch and browse local merchandise. "It was pretty cool to sit in a building that was around when Laura Ingalls lived across the street," said one TripAdvisor reviewer. "The very best French toast I have ever tasted," another added. Other landmarks from the books include Loftus Store, now a gift shop, Wilmarth's Grocery, now City Hall; Clancy's/Clayson's store, now Mutual Life Insurance; the Waters Land building; and the Kingsbury County Courthouse, a National Historic Landmark. Stay the night at Prairie House Manor, a Victorian-era bed-and-breakfast and National Historic Landmark two doors down from the Ingalls family residence.

The Ingalls homestead claim is a short drive from downtown. For anyone who's read the books or imagined the prairie life Wilder romanticized, the Ingalls Homestead is, as one Eater writer wrote, an "affecting" experience. Here, you'll find the five original cottonwood trees Pa planted for his family, replicas of the cramped sod house the Ingalls family inhabited in Minnesota, and a tar-paper shanty. Costumed historians guide visitors through hands-on activities like twisting hay into fuel, making corncob dolls, and learning Braille. You can camp or stay in covered wagons, and on summer evenings, attend the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, an outdoor play based on the "Little House" series.

"She liked the enormous sky and the winds, and the land that you couldn't see to the end of, wrote Laura in "Little House on the Prairie." It's easy to see why when you're there. De Smet is a gateway to outdoor adventures and a worthy detour on a road trip to Badlands National Park or en route to Rapid City, a gateway to the Black Hills, about 350 miles west. Closer to town, Lake Thompson — just 8 miles southeast of De Smet — is a large natural lake popular with birdwatchers and anglers. Spirit Lake, referenced in the "Little House" books, is known for walleye, pike, and perch. Several local services offer guided fishing and hunting trips, making it easy to spend a peaceful afternoon in the sloughs or casting lines. 

A new trail along Highway 14, connecting east of De Smet toward the Big Slough — another spot immortalized in Wilder's books — is in the works. Meanwhile, Kingsbury County Country Club offers a nine-hole course for those who want a break from pioneer life.