Yankton, SD

Since the founding of our communities, organizations, businesses and citizens have stepped forward to build and serve their community. Click on any of the logos below to learn about those who made this website possible! If you would like to learn about becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE!

What a Discovery!

From its early days as the capital of the Dakota Territory to being an origination point for “Tales of The Old West,” Yankton, South Dakota’s interesting and abundant history still is easily experienced in the city today! As early as 1804, the Lewis & Clark Expedition journeyed through the area that wouldn’t actually be opened for settlement until 1859, when Yankton was officially platted. Life in Yankton has always revolved around the Missouri River. Native Americans followed the river’s flow to their destinations centuries ago. They named the land “E-Hank-Ton-Wan” meaning “people of the end village.” Without the Missouri, Yankton might not exist. The river brought steamboats and their captains to Yankton. Steamboats brought not only color and expansion to the budding town; they also brought technology and skilled people.

Located just 30 miles west of I-29 on the scenic Missouri River, Yankton hosts over 1.5 million visitors a year who come to see the historic city, attend exciting festivals or enjoy the boundless recreational opportunities found throughout the area. With a population nearing 14,000, Yankton’s beauty is reflected in ten parks on more than 208 acres in the community. Nearby Lewis & Clark Lake and the Missouri River are used for all kinds of recreational activities. Whether you seek premier golf, miles of trails, kayaking, archery, swimming, hunting, sailing, eagle-watching, Yankton has it all and more! The city has a well-developed cultural base—Yankton, in fact, is a thriving music, art and theatre town. Besides performances at the college and at Yankton High School, the Lewis and Clark Theater Company performs in Dakota Theatre downtown, and on summer evenings at Lakeside Theater by Lewis and Clark Lake. Dance troupes and musical groups entertain year around. In summer, there is an outdoor concert every week at the amphitheater in Riverside Park.

Simply said, Visit Yankton and exclaim for yourself, “What a Discovery!”