Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Watercraft Camping

The Minnesota River flows smoothly by the Riverside Campground at this watercraft camping site. Six rustic sites are located along the river and are designated by a picnic table and fire ring. Four of these sites can be reserved; two are first-come, first-served.

Picnic Area

An open picnic shelter shields tables from the elements in the main picnic area. This shelter has electricity, a standing grill, running water, vault toilets and additional fire rings located nearby. The shelter can accommodate up to 100 people and can be reserved by calling the park.

Employees Duplex Historical Site

An interpretive sign relating the history of the area is erected outside a brick two story building in the middle of a rolling field. Upper Sioux Agency State Park was established in 1963 to preserve and interpret the remains of the old Yellow Medicine Agency site.

Annuity Center Historical Site

A short distance away from the employee duplex historical site sits an important building that once housed annuity goods before they were issued to the Indians. The Yellow Medicine Agency was established as part of the terms of the Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux and was destroyed in 1862 during the U.S. – Dakota Conflict.

North Valley Overlook

Wildflowers grow next to a diverse forest at the north valley overlook. From this spot, visitors can see the prairie and wetland landscapes to the north and east.

East Valley Overlook

Bright red wildflowers cover the grassy knoll at the east valley overlook. Just southeast of the north overlook, visitors can see the expanse of prairie that marks this section of Upper Sioux Agency State Park.

Tipis

Three 18-foot diameter canvas tipis are set up in the Yellow Medicine River Campground in a stretch of prairie. Each tipi can house up to six people and includes a fire ring on the site.  A wooden deck is located inside; visitors are encouraged to bring cots or sleeping mats for their overnight stay.

Picnic Area 2

A picnic table and fire ring with grill sit alongside the river in the upper picnic area. This picnic area is located in the northeast corner of the park near the convergence of the Yellow Medicine and Minnesota Rivers and the fishing access point, making it perfect for the angler who wants to take a rest between casts.

Fishing Access

A sandbar juts into the river at the fishing access near the convergence of the Yellow Medicine and Minnesota rivers. Here, anglers can cast a line for walleyes, northern, catfish, bullheads and carp, or watch the edges of the water for white pelicans, great blue herons, spotted sandpipers and other water birds.