Roberts County
Accommodation in Roberts County
Roberts County combines impressive lake landscapes with historic sites and trails where nature and regional history come together. When planning your trip, the question is therefore less about a single highlight and more about the rhythm you want: Would you like to spend a day by the water, learn about historic buildings or explore a landscape along a self-guided trail? A vacation rental in Roberts County can serve as a base for a variety of vacation ideas.
Landscapes for Walks and Exploration
Sica Hollow State Park is part of the two geological landscapes, Glacial River Warren and Coteau des Prairies, designated as National Natural Landmarks. The park is home to the Trail of the Spirits, a self-guided interpretive footpath designated a National Recreation Trail in 1971. Sica Hollow State Park is open year-round, around the clock. However, “open” does not necessarily mean fully accessible in every case.
Hartford Beach State Park also combines landscape and history. Five hiking trails pass historic sites and scenic overlooks. At the eastern end of the Robar Trail is a log-cabin trading post that operated from 1863 to 1873. The historic sites in the park cover approximately the period from A.D. 300 to A.D. 1600. There is also a boat ramp, as well as beaches for swimming and boating. A nine-hole disc golf course offers views of Big Stone Lake.
Lakes, Water and Expansive Views
Pickerel Lake is a spring-fed lake covering 955 acres and is considered one of South Dakota’s deepest natural lakes. Roy Lake State Park offers sandy beaches, a boat ramp, boat rentals and a trail to an island. Its archaeological context also reaches far back: It includes burial mounds of the Woodland Culture; artifacts dating from A.D. 900 to 1300 were found near the park.
For a scenic drive, Scenic Highway 10 begins in Sisseton and heads west to the 75-foot-high Nicollet Tower. The tower honors French cartographer Joseph N. Nicollet. From Nicollet Tower, visitors can see South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, six counties, eleven communities and the Continental Divide. The Nicollet Interpretive Center displays Nicollet’s large map, a documentary film and artwork by John S. Wilson.
Historic Sites and Cultural Insights
The Stavig House is a three-story Victorian residence built in 1916 by Norwegian immigrant Andrew Stavig and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Tours focus on the house’s architecture and the history of an immigrant family. Sisseton is also home to the Roberts County Courthouse, a Neo-Classical Revival-style building constructed in 1902 and added to the National Register in 1976.
The Sisseton Agency Headquarters & Wacipi Grounds in Agency Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. It served as the Agency’s headquarters from 1869 to 1923 and is significant to the history of decision-making among the Sisseton and Wahpeton people. Since the establishment of the Reservation, the site has continued to host Wacipi celebrations, also known as powwows, featuring religious ceremonies, dancing, feasting and singing on July 4.
Travel Season and Suitable Orientation
Those interested in military history can plan to attend the Ft. Sisseton Historical Festival on the first full weekend in June. A military camp with cavalry and infantry units is set up on the fort grounds for the festival. The visitor center at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is open daily from the Open House weekend through Labor Day. In addition, the Sisseton Arts Council offers numerous public events and activities throughout the year.
Roberts County is characterized by numerous lakes, views from the high Coteau and picturesque scenery. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first consider whether water activities, hiking trails, historic sites or cultural events should be the focus of your trip. Those seeking historic sites and cultural insights can also include Sisseton in their travel plans.
For the overarching travel overview: South Dakota.
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