Some places feel like stepping into the pages of a favorite book.
For us, the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota, was one of those places.
As longtime fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books, visiting the original homestead where Charles Ingalls claimed 160 acres of prairie in 1880 had been on our travel wish list for years.
After spending several days exploring the property, touring the town, and even camping right on the homestead, we can honestly say it was one of our favorite historical destinations of our full-time RV journey.
If you enjoy American history, pioneer life, or simply loved the Little House on the Prairie books, De Smet deserves a place on your travel list.
Camping at the Ingalls Homestead
One of the things that makes the Ingalls Homestead so unique is that you can actually stay on the property.
The homestead offers RV campsites with water and electric hookups, along with clean restrooms, showers, and a dump station.
While the hookups are somewhat primitive compared to many commercial RV parks, the opportunity to wake up surrounded by the South Dakota prairie more than makes up for it.
We enjoyed our stay so much that we decided to extend it.
Sometimes the best campgrounds aren’t the fanciest—they’re the ones that immerse you in the experience.
The Visitor Center
Our tour began inside the visitor center.
Part museum and part gift shop, it offers an excellent introduction to Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.
Displays include:
- Historic wagons and carriages
- Pioneer artifacts
- Family history exhibits
- Books about Laura and her family
- Children’s games and educational materials
- Little House collectibles and souvenirs
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or introducing a new generation to Laura’s stories, it’s easy to spend quite a while browsing the exhibits.
Following Laura’s Life
Next to the campground is a small museum that follows Laura’s life from beginning to end.
Each section corresponds with one of the Little House books, tracing the family’s journey from Wisconsin to Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and finally South Dakota.
It provides wonderful historical context while connecting the real events with the beloved stories many of us grew up reading.
Standing on the Original Homestead
One of the most moving parts of the visit was standing on the original one-acre homesite where Charles Ingalls first settled while working to prove up his homestead claim.
Unlike the surrounding farmland, this acre has never been plowed.
It remains native prairie much as the Ingalls family would have known it.
Nearby stands a memorial honoring Laura’s life and accomplishments.
It feels remarkably peaceful.
Charles Ingalls’ Cottonwood Trees
One feature we especially loved was the row of enormous cottonwood trees planted by Charles Ingalls.
According to the homestead, he planted one tree for each of his four daughters.
More than a century later, those trees are still standing.
It’s a simple but meaningful reminder that history isn’t always found inside museums.
Sometimes it’s growing quietly in the landscape itself.
Pioneer Homes
Throughout the property are reproductions of several types of pioneer homes.
Visitors can explore:
- A sod house
- A dugout
- A prairie shanty
Reading about these homes in Laura’s books is one thing.
Walking inside them and imagining an entire family living there through harsh South Dakota winters creates an entirely different appreciation for pioneer life.
The Farm and Gardens
The homestead also features working farm areas with heirloom gardens, livestock, and demonstrations of daily pioneer chores.
We enjoyed wandering through the gardens, learning about heirloom seeds, and seeing how families passed seeds from one generation to the next.
One of my favorite residents was an adorable baby calf that quickly became a regular stop during our walks around the property.
Children especially enjoy the many hands-on activities available during the summer season.
The Ingalls House
The reconstructed Ingalls home helps visitors understand how the family’s house expanded as their circumstances improved.
Originally consisting of only a single room, additional bedrooms and living space were added over time.
Interpreters throughout the day demonstrate many of the household tasks Laura would have grown up performing, including laundry, soap making, and other everyday pioneer skills.
It’s history presented in a way that’s both educational and enjoyable.
Covered Wagons and Schoolhouses
The stable area offers several experiences that make the homestead especially fun for families.
Visitors can ride in a horse-drawn covered wagon between the stable and the schoolhouse, while younger children can enjoy rides in a miniature pony cart.
The restored prairie schoolhouse gives visitors a chance to see what education looked like during Laura’s childhood.
Desks, slates, readers, and period clothing help bring those school days to life.
Walking the Prairie
One of our favorite experiences was simply walking through the tall prairie grass.
Interpretive signs explain how pioneers used native grasses for fuel when firewood wasn’t available and describe the wetlands, wildlife, and natural environment that surrounded the Ingalls family.
Standing quietly on the prairie makes it easy to imagine the isolation—and beauty—they experienced every day.
Exploring Historic De Smet
Your visit shouldn’t end at the homestead.
The town of De Smet contains numerous historic sites connected with Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.
We visited:
- The Ingalls family cemetery
- Historic downtown buildings
- Charles Ingalls’ later home
- The Surveyors’ House where the family first stayed
- Laura’s school
- The reconstructed Brewster School
- Almanzo Wilder’s original land claim marker
Many buildings throughout town include interpretive signs showing historic photographs alongside their modern appearance, making it easy to picture De Smet during Laura’s lifetime.
More Than a Museum
What impressed us most wasn’t just the buildings.
It was the feeling of the place.
De Smet still has the atmosphere of a small prairie town where neighbors know one another and history remains an important part of everyday life.
Instead of simply displaying artifacts behind glass, the community has preserved the story of one remarkable family and the pioneering spirit they represented.
For anyone who has ever wondered about the real locations behind Little House on the Prairie, this is one destination that truly lives up to its reputation.
Continue the Journey
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