Fort Sully

Fort Sully is located just four miles from Pierre, South Dakota at the Farm Island Recreation Area. The fort was established in 1863 by General Alfred Sully and his men. The fort was the first in a series of posts along the Missouri River and was set up to make the area safe for homesteading pioneers. Fort Sully was abandoned just three years after it was established because the conditions surrounding the area were terrible. The original fort, which was created from cottonwood logs, was dismantled and used as fuel for steamboats and a new Fort Sully was constructed about 30 miles upriver. The only reminders of the old fort are markers that indicate the corners of where the fort used to stand. The Farm Island Visitor Center provides exhibits that help visitors learn more about this historic fort. Within the recreation area, there is also a campground, beach, fishing dock, boat ramp, and canoe, paddleboat and bike rentals.