Upper Sioux Agency State Park
It’s hard to imagine the events of a long-ago summer while strolling on the park lawn, reading historical markers. But by piecing together facts from these signs, a story emerges. Today, visitors to Upper Sioux Agency State Park can reflect on the shared history of early settlers and the Dakota while they walk the land, which was once part of the Yellow Medicine Agency, US government outpost.
Upper Sioux Agency State Park is located 8 miles southeast of Granite Falls on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Yellow Medicine County.
Tipis are eighteen feet in diameter and sleep six
The restored employee building is the only remaining structure of the historic Yellow Medicine Agency
Family hike on the Mink Trail
Tipis at the Yellow Medicine River Campground
Trails
The park on the banks of the Minnesota River offers lots of different experiences along its 18 miles of hiking trails, most of which are shared with equestrians. When you’re hiking or riding horses here, you’ll see remnant prairie, hardwood forests, wetlands and river bottom areas, all in one 1,300-acre park.
The trails along the river bottom are heavily wooded
Most of the park’s trail system is shared between hikers and equestrians
Camping
One of three tipis sleep six each and offer an unusual camping experience.
Riverside Campground along the Minnesota River
Three tipis are available for rent at Upper Sioux Agency State Park
Tipis are for rent May through October
History
The restored employee building is the only remaining structure of the historic Yellow Medicine Agency
In 1861 the Dakota suffered from hunger brought on by a poor harvest and their plight worsened when US Indian Agents did not distribute food rations. The situation reached a boiling point in the summer of 1862 when four Dakota men killed five settlers in Meeker County. This set off a six-week war known as the US-Dakota conflict.
Remnants of other buildings
The Yellow Medicine Agency was destroyed during this conflict. The only remaining building, the restored brick employee duplex, is now a historic site inside Upper Sioux Agency State Park. Foundations of other agency buildings are a reminder of the historic importance of this place.
Prayer ties along a hiking trail
Displays at the interpretive center
Winter
Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park and a fast and steep sliding hill offers thrills in the winter. No groomed ski trails are available at the park. Find southern Minnesota ski trails
