Natural wonders of Vermillion: Two places to see within cycling distance of Vermillion community

To the uninitiated, the city of Vermillion and the area surrounding it might seem like a lifeless, flat area devoid of interesting places to go, take photos and feel like a tourist.

However, there are two places – both close enough to campus that a person could bike to them – which are every bit as fun to visit as any other far-away sightseeing destination.

Bike to
Spirit Mound

Spirit Mound is roughly seven miles north of Vermillion and biking there is enjoyable, especially in good weather – to get there, head north of Vermillion on Highway 19 and the mound is the first large hill on your left.

The mound has a trail on it which leads all the way to the summit, from which a person can see Vermillion and several miles of the surrounding area.

The area is also a

Some who visit Spirit Mound will say that they are underwhelmed by its hill-ness. Those who come from the Black Hills in particular will often say something to the effect of, “Yeah, it’s a hill, we have lots of them back home.”

However, they are missing the uniqueness of Spirit Mound – how eerily isolated the mound is on the otherwise flat prairie, and how majestically humble the hill is.

Beyond that, Spirit Mound also has a rich history – it was visited by Lewis and Clark in 1804, and their interest in it stemmed from the fact that several Native American tribes in the area historically believed the hill to be infested with little devils who would shoot humans that dared to visit the mound.

Plant life at Spirit Mound is another reason to visit – the site is a “historic prairie” – meaning that it has been seeded with plant species similar to the ones that would have been located there hundreds of years ago. These species include wild rose hips, the common evening primrose, the rigid sunflower and whorled milkweed.

If you’re looking for a great place to spend a sunny afternoon and get in touch with nature, there is hardly a better place near Vermillion than Spirit Mound.

See the bluffs to believe the bluffs

For those interested in breathtaking views but too lazy to go to Spirit Mound, there is an opportunity for incredible views right here in Vermillion.

Those who have not been to the southern part of town might not know that Vermillion is actually built on a large bluff that overlooks the Vermillion River – and the vista that can be seen from atop the bluff is incredible.

Conveniently, there are benches at spots along Main Street and Canby Street to stop and appreciate the scenic beauty of the bluffs and the majesty that is lower Vermillion.

These benches are a fantastic place to stop, sit, take a breather  and enjoy a cool early evening stroll or bike ride through town.

And for a fun, fast-paced bike ride, nothing beats the whine of the wheels as you ride down Dakota Street into lower Vermillion. Bikes seem to reach terminal velocity on that heart-stopping decline.

Once in lower Vermillion, the walking/bicycle trail that winds along the Vermillion River is a terrific place to explore.

This area is the site of the original Vermillion, which was located beside the river but flooded in 1881. The city was subsequently moved to the top of the bluff, where it is located now.

A visit to Sprit Mound and the bluffs is a must for a USD student during the warm months of the early fall semester. Classes, homework and labs can wait until the weather deteriorates when winter sets in.