Wounded Knee Memorial in
Wounded Knee (SD)

Would've been a cool little area to visit but the second we pulled up we were being harassed by locals begging for money. Apparently this place is on an Indian reservation, I would not label this place safe to bring children.

My experience was good but I cautioned to be careful and only go during the day

We visited with a native Lakota tour guide. A deeply moving experience. Please be very respectful and do not walk on the graves. If you enter the fenced area to get a picture of the memorial marker then only walk on the concrete, not the center grass area. Inside the fenced area is the mass grave of the Lakota people who were massacred at Wounded Knee.

We stopped at the Wounded Knee Memorial site to pay our respects and maybe learn a thing or two that aren't found in the history books. Almost immediately we were hassled by the locals, giving us a sob story and wanting money from us. The place is completely dilapidated and unkept. Long story short we didn't even attempt to go up to the cemetery. We read reviews ahead of time and thought "aw heck it can't be that bad". It's sad but I'd recommend you steer clear of this place and seek out other opportunities to learn about the old west.

Met a Native who came over and gave us a history of Wounded Knee as well as the Cemetery and other surrounding area. It's sad to see the site is all but forgotten and not maintained at all.

It’s hard to explain this sacred place. It’s hard to understand how so much hatred could be played out at Wounded Knee. But it was. If i was rich enough—-id donate to the up keeping and preservation of this site. This place stands still—- to this day—- as a reminder of what happens when Man lets evil take over. I’ll never forget.

It is not only a memorial to the ones who died there but also a local cemetery so be respectful when visiting. We met a young man, a local, who told us the story. He was picking up trash and trying to do a little maintenance. He was very nice and had been picking wild sage and bundling it to sell. We did purchase sage from him. Then however, as we were getting ready to leave a local woman approached wanting money for gas. It was obvious she was impaired. We did not give her money. The cemetery and memorial are maintained by the local tribe and it is in much need of love. I only wish there was a donation lock box of some kind to help them. Hopefully what we gave the young man will help in some way.

This is a hard place to visit. Such a tragedy. There's a sign that tells part of the story, and you can visit the graveyard, but please be respectful - it's a very active graveyard for the people who live here. Unfortunately it appears the only funding comes from the local tribe. They take good care of the place, but it is a harsh comparison to the more famous nearby monuments such as Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Don't be surprised if a local shows up to tell you a bit about the place.

Many who died across the road were buried here. The upkeep of the cemetery is disgraceful. There must not be caretakers. I placed some windblown items back in place. A weedeater would do wonders. Don't buy garbage dreamcatchers from the kids that hangout here just for the cash. Go down by the road and get some quality ones for the same price along with a history lesson. There you can still see the treeline where the elderly, women and children ran to hide from the soldiers.

If you know the history of the event and the struggles of the Sioux against the US Government, this site will have more meaning, and it's lack of upkeep and lack of poignance as a memorial may kind of make sense. I wish that weren't so. Thanks to previous reviews, we got there at about 8:30am to avoid the trinket sellers, and we succeeded in that. If anything made us sad, it's that the Sioux nation has an opportunity here to commemorate their brave and proud ancestors honorably as a part of the historical record, yet the site is nothing more than a worn down historical marker, a parking lot, a condemned building, and a forgotten burial ground. For those interested in US-Indigenous relations, you should visit. For those who just saw this on their Gmap as a "site", go ahead and pass, as you'll leave sad and underwhelmed. Moreso after the drive through the reservation towns themselves, which will break your heart and leave you questioning why there are more Marijuana dispensaries than places to buy groceries. Those with knowledge of reservation treatment by the US government will know, but perhaps not the average lay citizen. My friend and I wondered why the local high school, which is new and quite high tech, doesn't do service projects to maintain the site and elevate it to a point of prominence. The event itself is horrific, but with a proud defiance against the wrongs done to their people, the Sioux could create a memorial worthy of the Crazy Horse monument only a short drive away.

It’s a graveyard with a memorial stone. That’s the entire memorial. Then a Native American man (who seemed semi-high) will try to sell you a trinket for upkeep of the memorial. He started negotiations at $40. We did give him $20. He was somewhat aggressive asking us if we wanted to be welcomed to his land or not. The entire experience left a bad feeling about visiting. I wish we hadn’t bothered coming.

The earlier reviews almost scared me off.an elderly local man pulled up beside me on my way in from the turn off of the main highway and rtold me to be careful but I think he was referring to riding. On that note from the sign there is a dirt road up to the cemetery. If you on two wheels I recommend going up and back on the track closest to this sign on the opposite side of the road. I came down the right most track looking down at them del the top and almost at the road or for pretty sandy. On a road bike loaded up with luggage this was some excitement I could have done without !! Made it though so it was probably character building. Worthy of note is that my visit was two days after memorial day so the place has probably had some interest shown this past weekend . I was approached by two young lads . One in the car and one offering hand made necklaces. Of course one cannot take buffalo teeth back to Australia but it may make a good gift for a local friend !! As there is little here in the way of a visitors center or toilets I can understand how the other reviews described the place as "sketchy". If you're primary job was selling crafts to tourists of the worst gun crime in USA history I can imagine some days you ma want to get up and knock back a few cold beers . Would that make you appear sketchy tp visitors ? Quite possibly. The lad who talked to me seemed sober and non threatening. I was a man alone on a motorcycle ?️. I've included many photos of the local graves as it's sad how young many people die here. I thought I would feel more pain and sadness in the air . It was a pretty location .

After reading horror stories about confrontations with the natives, we decided to have our own experience and it was anything but that. Yes, we were approached in a very friendly manner. Introductions were made. We shook hands. Donations were solicited but not in any manner if a threatening way. No one was drunk. No one was on drugs. It was a very nice experience. The memory could definitely do with a more respectful upkeep and there were a second set of solicitations at the cemetery, but a simple no thank you was all it took. Step out if the cemetery and look over the grasslands to the memory of the loss of innocent lives. That is the point of Wounded Knee

Please understand that this is on the reservation. It's a long drive to this cemetery. We were saddened to see that a big board is all they can do for a memorial. A horrific event happened here and we need to remember the innocent lives lost.

There is a sign that explains the story. The cemetery at the top of the hill that has the graves of the original victims of the Wounded Knee Massacre.

This is not a typical sightseeing spot that you will expect in surrounding relaxing recreation area. But if you do have known the historical tragedy happened here and how that influence until now, you will have all the respect and heart to feel this place. When I visited here there was a vendor in the sign, and a guy up on the cemetery who tries to talk to me. I don’t find either of them aggressive but that may depend on people (like other review says) so I would suggest be prepared to engage people here. There is a little abandoned house just besides the memorial area. If you’re a fan of abandoned house, go inside and you will find a gorgeous place.

All my love, care & sincere respect! Met a true Lakota family whom I purchased a GORGEOUS handmade bracelet. There's a 90% unemployment rate there. Please purchase from this beautiful family. They'll give you the true history. I feel blessed to have met them.

We were on the fence about visiting but glad we did. We read about the site before visiting and knew what to expect. There was a sign as a memorial on the side of road with a family selling dream catchers for $20 each there. The grave was at the top of the hill across the road. It was very quiet at 10am- we were only ones- but the family said it normally picks up in the afternoon. It is understated and low key.

Incredible place to visit. Take some time to talk to the people selling their handmade jewelry and crafts. They were very engaging and very eager to talk about the area and explain what happened at Wounded Knee. For many of them their jewelry/craft sales are their only income. As others have mentioned, Pine Ridge is the poorest Reservation in the country and this is the poorest county in the United States. We spent money buying some of their jewelry and crafts to help them out. Wish I had taken more cash to buy more jewelry to help them out. Went during the daytime with my elderly mother and small children and we all felt incredibly safe. COVID checkpoint once you enter onto the Reservation. If you have time, reading the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, really enhanced my appreciation for this somber place and the culmination of the Native Americans’ resistance.

Beautifully touching and somber place. It's worth a visit to pay respect to the brave souls that perished on that land. FYI - entry into the fenced-in graveyard is free. We were warned before going up there that there was a kid sitting up there telling people that they had to pay. He didn't try that with us but he was there, sitting at the entrance trying to sell sage bundles.

I’m a history geek. Wounded Knee, Waco, etc etc, Too many times our government has created or waged atrocities against We The People on this land. It was a somber experience (spent the night there, yes in My Jeep, no there’s not a hotel). Sun created. Snapped some pics. And continued on.

Had a beautiful drive down from the badlands and like others have stated it is a long remote drive so make sure you fill up with fuel although there is a station in Scenic and at sharps corner if I remember. If your not good 4 wheeling or driving dirt roads I'd park across the hwy in the parking lot. As I was taking pictures I was approached by a local who was a bit tipsy.. whiskey in the air...lol. Telling me his story, I listened and was polite to him. Wished him well and he the same and cut the visit short unfortunately. It's such a shame that this historic site is in such a condition. A chain link fence dont cut it to mark the mass grave site. It should be ran like a national monument, organized, good parking and good access to the monument. Still worth a visit though.

An excellent opportunity to view what was a historically horrific event! This site is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation which in terms of the standard of living for the Native Americans living there is one of the worst in our country. The cemetery and the Memorial to those who died in that massacre are not well maintained, but it is interesting to note who many of those whom are in that cemetery have served in the military. During the season there are some rustic booths where the local residents offer handicraft items to supplement their income at far less cost than those found at most tourist sites. I have bought some beautiful bead and quill work from them.

This place is very sacred, and an awful massacre of elderly men women and children happened here. Bring some extra cash to help the Native American people selling their artwork.

What a let down!! Drove out of our way to go there and all there was is a stupid sign, a vendor table selling nice local made wares, and road way crossing that have saying’s graffitied on them saying “no whites”, and “whites are not welcome”, etc. Don’t recommend going unless you are really bored and want to check it off your bucket list.

Very sad place to visit. Read about the history before you go. I wish there had been something more to remember this horrific massacre, but I dont believe the Native American would even want it that way. Remember when you go to step lightly with grace and reverence.

The memorial is a shrine with a bill board describing the event very even handedly. It has some primitive structures for ceremonies. The graveyard is on the hill and can be visited. Some resident watch for visitors to sell crafted items. The poverty in the area is reflected in this memorial.