De Smet Attractions
Father Pierre Jean De Smet was a Belgian Jesuit Priest, known as "The Apostle of the Indians". He was honored by the use of his name when De Smet (pop. 1,200) was settled in 1880. De Smet was also the final home of the Ingalls family - the town was immortalized in Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books.
Ingalls Homestead
The Ingalls Homestead in De Smet is a working replica of the homestead where Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family lived. Highlights include covered wagon rides, an 1880s school, Ma's house and native prairie grasses.
Surveyors' House and Ingalls Home
Visitors to De Smet can tour the original Surveyors' House, where Laura Ingalls and her family lived for their first Dakota winter on the prairies in 1879. The home Charles Ingalls built in 1887 is still standing, it was the final home of Pa and Ma. Many artifacts and original belongings of the Ingalls and Wilder families are on display.
Hours
January 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
May 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
September 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
October 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Parking
Free
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
