Tri-State Museum

Discover the history of South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming all in one museum.

Located in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, visitors will enjoy a restful stop at the Tri-State Museum to explore the surrounding rural communities and their history. You will get to see dresses dating back to a century ago and various horse saddles. It also has an overview of sugar harvesting, rodeo, medicine, cowboys, bank robbers, and the military in the Tri-State area. Also, be sure to look at the dinosaurs, archaeology, and geology section of the museum. Children will love the western activity table, the dress-up trunk, and the discovery boxes inside this interactive museum.

Outside on the museum grounds, there is a 2-story cabin that Johnny Spaulding built in 1876. Spaulding was a hunter, scout, guide, and Black Hills area pioneer. He came to the area during the gold rush of 1876. The cabin was originally located by the Redwater River near Belle Fourche. It was since moved to its current location back in 1960. The logs were hand-hewn and hauled from between Crook City and Deadwood. Feel free to bring food and sit at the picnic tables outside and walk along the walkway by the stream before you go. This family-friendly museum is great for anyone needing a pit stop, and admission is free for all guests.