Spirit Mound Historic Prairie, State park in Clay County, South Dakota, United States.
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a grassland preserve in South Dakota featuring an isolated hilltop that rises distinctly above the flat plains landscape. A marked trail leads to the summit, where visitors can walk through native prairie vegetation and observe the surrounding terrain.
The site was visited by Lewis and Clark during their 1804 expedition after learning about it from local tribes. Their visit documented an important moment in early exploration and mapping of America's western territories.
Native American tribes considered the location sacred, believing it housed small beings measuring 18 inches tall who protected the area with arrows.
The hike to the summit follows a well-marked trail that is accessible from the main parking area. Visitors should expect to encounter grasshoppers, butterflies, and various birds throughout the seasons.
The mound represents one of few remaining locations where modern visitors can stand exactly where Lewis and Clark stood during their expedition.
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