Visiting The Grand River Museum In South Dakota
- Address: 114 10th Street W, Lemmon, SD 57638
- Phone: (605) 374-7574
- Website
- Hours: May 1 - September 30, Monday through Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday noon - 5 pm
- Price: Free
The Grand River Museum is located in Lemmon, South Dakota. Just look for the cowboy riding a triceratops and you know you’ve reached your destination.
This museum is dedicated to exploring the natural and cultural history of the region. Its exhibits encompass diverse subjects, such as paleontology, archaeology, and the historical narrative of the area.
Inside the museum, you’ll encounter a fascinating array of displays pertaining to the region’s prehistoric era.
These exhibits include remarkable items like the pachycephalosaurus skull, Tyrannosaurus Rex teeth, and a Triceratops skull affectionately known as “Garth,” unearthed at the nearby Schmidt Ranch.
The museum also features the work of local metal sculpture artist John Lopez. One of his standout pieces is a lifelike sculpture depicting Hugh Glass engaged in a life-and-death struggle with a grizzly bear.
Hugh Glass, an American frontiersman, survived a similar bear attack near present-day Lemmon, and his story inspired the film The Revenant starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The museum delves into the life of Hugh Glass and the remarkable bear encounter.
The Grand River Museum doesn’t stop there.
It offers a wealth of additional displays, covering topics such as the Native American history of the Grand River, ranching, homesteading, creation science, and more. It’s a comprehensive journey through the local history of the area.
Although the museum is relatively compact in size, it offers free admission and boasts an impressive collection of exhibits.
You can find a quaint gift shop within the museum, offering a selection of souvenirs and mementos.
If you find yourself with extra time to spare, Lemmon has more to offer.
The Petrified Wood Park in town is highly recommended, and the Kokomo Gallery and Studio showcases further works by artist John Lopez, along with a captivating sculpture garden.
Unfortunately, our travel plans didn’t allow us to explore these additional attractions, but they are certainly worth considering if you have the opportunity.