Blood Run Site

Blood Run Site is an archaeological location along the Big Sioux River in Lyon County containing earthwork mounds and village remains from ancient Native American settlement. The grounds spread across a large area with walking trails that let visitors explore the restored landscape and protected areas.

This location served as a trading hub and gathering place for Oneota peoples from around 900 to 1720. The site's role shifted as populations and settlement patterns changed across the region over centuries.

The site features earthwork structures, burial grounds, and village remains that demonstrate the architectural practices of Native American societies in the region.

The site is open from sunrise to sunset daily with no entrance fee required. Visitors can walk trails through the grounds to explore the archaeological areas and see the restored prairie landscape at their own pace.

The site's name comes from iron-rich soil that gives the ground a reddish tint visible across the landscape. While hundreds of mounds once covered the area, only a portion remains visible today due to centuries of erosion and land changes.

Location: Lyon County

Location: Lincoln County

GPS coordinates: 43.46663,-96.58143

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40