A Climb and a Map at South Dakota’s Nicollet Tower

Ninety-six steps is a manageable little challenge, especially when the reward is a view over a broad valley, a small creek below and open country rolling away in several directions. Nicollet Tower turns a roadside pause into a short climb with a serious sense of elevation.

The tower stands above the surrounding landscape near the road, only a short drive from the Interstate. It is an easy stop to fold into a longer South Dakota drive: pull in, walk the grounds, spend time with the exhibits, and decide whether the stairs are calling.

There is no charge for parking, the tower or the interpretive center visit. That makes it a pleasantly uncomplicated place to stop when a day on the road needs more than another fuel station or fast-food break.

The stairs are wide and generally easy to climb, rising through a sturdy, well-kept structure to the exposed top. It is enough activity to wake up the legs without turning the visit into a major hike.

From above, the scene opens across the valley to the north, east and south. On clear days, the long view can reach into three states, though the distance naturally depends on conditions. The landscape is broad rather than crowded with landmarks, which is much of its appeal.

Summer gives the hilltop its full green sweep, while autumn brings leaf color to the surrounding country. The tower is also a simple, satisfying outing for children, who can make the climb as much as once if they have energy to spare.

Bring an extra layer if the day is at all cool. The top is exposed and can be breezy, even when the drive there has felt mild.

At ground level, the modern interpretive center gives the stop considerably more to do. Its subject is Joseph N. Nicollet, the French mapmaker and explorer whose work is closely connected with the region.

A short film introduces Nicollet and his work, useful context before or after looking at the center’s large reproduction of his map. The enlarged format lets visitors linger over the dense detail of historic mapping rather than merely glancing at a small image on a wall.

That map changes the mood of the tower view a little. You have just looked out over miles of country; inside, you can consider the earlier effort of putting country like this onto paper.

The center does not limit itself to exploration-era history. Some displays share short recollections from older local residents, using everyday objects that have slipped out of common use as a way into the past.

It is a good small-scale approach to regional history. Rather than trying to cover every chapter at once, these stories make room for the tools, household items and routines that once belonged to ordinary life.

Native American art is another important strand of the visit. An exhibit on Native American art in public spaces includes work by several artists and provides a cultural counterpoint to the map and local-history displays.

The interpretive center also works as a compact information stop for the wider region. Staff can discuss Nicollet and nearby attractions, while the shelves and printed materials point visitors toward South Dakota public lands, local history and other regional interests.

There are local-history books alongside titles connected with the state and its outdoors. Some materials are free, while others are offered for sale, so it is worth taking a few minutes to browse rather than assuming the display is simply a brochure rack.

Free road maps for South Dakota and neighboring states are especially handy in a car. One publication delves into South Dakota fisheries and their history, a specific little find for anglers or anyone who enjoys the state’s lake-and-stream stories.

The grounds offer room to get out, look around and stretch before getting back on the highway. For travelers moving quickly, the tower can be the main event; for history-minded visitors, the map, film, art and books give the stop enough substance to linger.

Approaching from the west, the road passes an area of pothole lakes before reaching the hill. It is a nice bit of scenery on the way in, and a reminder that the overlook is part of a larger prairie-and-water landscape rather than a tower dropped into a parking lot.

A nearby stretch of old Highway 10 skirts the north side of the grounds. It is narrow, but it offers a quieter country-drive option for those who enjoy taking the slower road for a while.

The climb is stair-only, and the tower top is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors who prefer to stay on level ground can still enjoy the grounds and the interpretive center.

Restrooms are available through the center, though access can depend on whether the building is open. Current center hours are worth confirming before making a special trip.

For a brief, free stop with a little movement, a sweeping view and unusually worthwhile indoor material, Nicollet Tower offers more to browse than its silhouette from the road suggests.