3 Things to Check Out at Upper Sioux Agency State Park

My favorite state parks are ones that have incorporated the history of their sites into the visitor’s experience. Upper Sioux Agency is one such state park.

The Agency was created to administer the terms of the Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux of 1851. Through the treaty, the Dakota were made to cede their land for 7.5 cents per acre, and were moved from their 21 million acres of home in Minnesota and Iowa to a 20-mile reservation in Minnesota.

Some goods and money (though not even the quantities agreed upon initially in the treaties) were dispersed at the Agency site, along with the blatant attempts to assimilate the Dakota to white settler life. But in 1862, the U.S.-Dakota War destroyed much of the park. However, the foundation and structure of one Agency building is still intact, and you can visit the sites at the park, as well as learn much more about the history of the treaty and Agency.

During my visit, many of the trails were closed due to flooding, so while I wasn’t able to experience some of the various routes through the park, I would suggest hitting the trails and experiencing the beautiful landscape along the Yellow Medicine River if you plan to visit.

1. Visit the remains of the old Agency buildings

The foundations of all the Agency buildings are still very much present at the park.

It’s pretty cool to walk over the old building foundations – it’s interesting to see what the sizes of some of the spaces were, and to read about what the buildings were used for.

One of the buildings, however, is still pretty intact.

The building had been damaged during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, but the Minnesota Historical society has reconstructed parts of it to bring it back to its original appearance. It was pretty neat to see.

There are several clusters of building foundations, so you can really get an idea of what the space would have looked like when it was first built and being used.

2. Check out the overlook

Just beyond the old Agency building site is a small overlook.

It’s not the most impressive overlook, but it’s certainly beautiful, and takes approximately 3.5 seconds to get to. Seriously. In the photo above, I’m halfway to the top of the overlook, and the parking lot begins just behind the sign stating “Scenic Overlook.” There’s really no reason not to check it out.

You get a little glimpse of the valley below, where you can spot a few tipis. The park offers canvas tipis as an option for “campsites,” in which you can fit 6 people.

3. Hike the pretty, flat trails

I’ve seen beautiful pictures of some of the trails throughout the park, but unfortunately, much of it was flooded during my visit.

However, I still made my way down to the Yellow Medicine River for a very brief hike. Much of the park was closed off due to flooding, so I was pretty limited in where I could go.

The river was fun to walk along, though. Most of the trails that were available to me during my visit were very flat – so if you’re looking for more of a casual stroll through a beautiful park, Upper Sioux Agency has a lot of options for you!

There was also a group of people camped out by the side of the river to fish; the park also rents out fishing kits, so that’s another good option for your visit along the Yellow Medicine River.