Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

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Mitchell South Dakota—home of the World's Only Corn Palace—is also the home of the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. Located just off Interstate 90, the Indian Village entices visitors to imagine what it was like to live in a 1,000-year old former plains village. The inhabitants of the village were ancestors of the Mandan people with whom Lewis and Clark spent the winter in 1804. Visit the site to experience what Lewis and Clark might have encountered in their journey west.

Visitors to the Indian Village will discover the Boehnen Museum and gift shop where unique art and crafts made by South Dakota Native artists can be purchased year-round. Also at the Indian Village is the Thomsen Center Archeodome. The building encloses two full lodges on its exposed earthen floor and includes a full laboratory, darkroom, computer classroom, and video conferencing studio. You will witness how Native Americans lived in South Dakota during the era of earth lodges and teepees.

Visitors can participate in special weekend events featuring our archeology work, and artists, performers, and food from South Dakota's Native American community. You'll also discover information about how to set up a visit to an area reservation, where you'll be immersed in traditional culture and have opportunities to spend the night in a teepee, attend a powwow, and much more.

So, as you plan your summer vacation, remember to stop at the Indian Village and discover a place where you can "dig" a unique Native experience. And if you're visiting from outside the area, bring along a fishing rod and swimsuit as Lake Mitchell includes a large public beach and several favorite fishing holes. Expect plenty of options for quality hotels, campgrounds, and places to park your RV.

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