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

Wooden Legs Brewing Company

Wooden Legs Brewing Company

Brookings

White River Drive-In

White River Drive-In

White River

Press Start Retro Arcade Bar

Press Start Retro Arcade Bar

Rapid City

Vinyl Social Club

Vinyl Social Club

Sioux Falls

Flavor Indian & Asian Fare

Flavor Indian & Asian Fare

Brookings

Que Pasa Cantina

Que Pasa Cantina

Rapid City

Greatest Show on H20 at Catfish Bay

Greatest Show on H20 at Catfish Bay

Sioux Falls

Lewie’s Saloon and Eatery

Lewie’s Saloon and Eatery

Lead

TapHouse 41

TapHouse 41

Sioux Falls

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave National Monument

Custer

The Brothel Deadwood

The Brothel Deadwood

Deadwood

Hilger’s Gulch

Hilger’s Gulch

Pierre

Pump House at Mind Blown Studio

Pump House at Mind Blown Studio

Deadwood

Sandy Swallow Gallery

Sandy Swallow Gallery

Hill City

Baltic Corner Bar & Grill

Baltic Corner Bar & Grill

Dell Rapids

John C. Green Art Gallery & Studio

John C. Green Art Gallery & Studio

Madison

Chicago and NorthWestern Historic Railroad Depot

Chicago and NorthWestern Historic Railroad Depot

Redfield

Hollingsworth Horses

Hollingsworth Horses

Custer

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.