The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states and a capital district. The state of South Dakota is in the Upper Midwestr of the country, far from the coasts, west of Minnesota and north of Nebraska. The Missouri River flowing north to south through the center of South Dakota, is the only major waterway touching the state. Interrupted by several dams, it is navigable only locally and there are no lighthouses on the river.

The Dakota Territory was created in 1861 from land acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1889 the territory was split in half with the two halves admitted to the union as the states of North Dakota and South Dakota.

To be listed in the Directory, a lighthouse must actually serve as an aid to navigation. This means it must be located on a navigable lake or river and must be lit as a navigational aid at least during the local boating season.

General Sources

Google Maps

Satellite view of northeastern South Dakota.

Roberts County: Big Stone Lake Lighthouse

Schmidt's Landing

Date unknown. Active (privately maintained); focal plane about 30 ft (9 m); continuous white light. 14 ft (4 m) octagonal tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. A 2025 photo is at iright and Schmidt's Landing has a photo but the light has not been located in Google's satellite view of the community. The lighthouse is on Big Stone Lake, a reservoir on the Minnesota border in the northeastern corner of the state, formed in 1937 by damming the Minnesota River. Located in Schmidt's Landing, a resort community midway on the west side of the lake. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private.