Yankton County

Yankton County is an administrative division in South Dakota stretching along the Missouri River. The area includes several cities and towns, and features the Gavins Point Dam that creates Lewis and Clark Lake.

The area was established in 1862 and named after the Yankton Sioux people who lived here long before. The city of Yankton became the administrative and economic center of this county.

The name comes from the Yankton Sioux, an indigenous nation with deep roots in this area. Visitors can still see cultural marks and places connected to this heritage throughout the region.

The region is accessible via several major highways that connect all the towns and communities throughout. The Missouri River and the lake offer good access points for visitors interested in water activities and outdoor exploration.

The Gavins Point Dam creates a striking contrast between the river landscape upstream and downstream, shaping the region in obvious ways. This structure has been central to how the land and communities here developed over time.

Location: South Dakota

Inception: 1862

Capital city: Yankton

Shares border with: Bon Homme County, Cedar County, Clay County, Hutchinson County, Knox County, Turner County

Website: http://co.yankton.sd.us

GPS coordinates: 43.01000,-97.39000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:58