Sioux Falls Railroad History Sites, South Dakota
Historic rail siteFreeOutdoor and self-guided; building access varies by site
Railroads built Sioux Falls during the Great Dakota Land Boom, and a self-guided walk downtown still turns up two 1880s passenger depots, a diamond where two rail lines cross, and the old rail yard the city is turning into a new district.
- Rock Island Depot, opened 1886
- Illinois Central depot, opened 1888
- Downtown diamond crossing
- Land boom historical marker
- Self-guided and outdoors
Sioux Falls Railroad History Sites at a glance
- Hours
- Outdoor sites; building interiors and hours vary, check each before you go
- Admission
- Free to view from outside
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours for a downtown loop
- Best for
- Rail fans and history walkers
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Sioux Falls Railroad History Sites? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Sioux Falls.
Rally Takes the Train
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See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
How four railroads made a prairie city
Sioux Falls grew up with the railroad. A historical marker in the city explains that the Great Dakota Land Boom, from the late 1870s through the 1880s, was driven largely by rapid railroad expansion, which brought settlers pouring into the territory. The depots that survive downtown date from exactly that rush.
The Rock Island Depot at 201 East 10th Street opened in 1886 for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, a predecessor of the Rock Island. The Illinois Central became the fourth railroad to reach Sioux Falls on December 19, 1887, and its passenger depot, designed by L.A. Hill, opened beside the Big Sioux River at 8th Street in 1888. Freight still moves through the city today, and the city has taken over a 10.25-acre piece of the former BNSF downtown rail yard for redevelopment, documenting its history before track is removed.
A walking loop of depots and crossings
Start at the Rock Island Depot on East 10th Street, then head to the Illinois Central depot near the Big Sioux River at 8th Street. Downtown, the diamond crossing, where two railroads intersect at grade, is a favorite stop for train watchers. Look for the Railroads historical marker on the land boom, and keep an eye out for D&I Railroad trains, a local shortline that hauls ethanol, grain products and plastic pellets.
Don’t miss
- Rock Island DepotOpened in 1886 at 201 East 10th Street, it is the oldest of the city's surviving passenger stations.
- Illinois Central Passenger DepotDesigned by L.A. Hill and opened in 1888 by the Big Sioux River, it marks the arrival of the city's fourth railroad.
- The downtown diamondTwo railroads cross at grade here, a rare sight in a modern downtown.
- Railroads historical markerExplains how rail expansion fueled the Great Dakota Land Boom.
Train spotting for little rail fans
This is a choose-your-own outing rather than a museum, so it works best for kids who like spotting trains and old buildings. The diamond crossing is the most exciting stop if a freight happens to roll through. There are no posted hours, rides or kids' programs, so keep the loop short with toddlers and stay well back from active tracks.
Plan your visit: tips for Sioux Falls Railroad History Sites
- Treat the diamond crossing and any rail yard as active railroad: watch from public sidewalks only.
- The depots are historic buildings; check current use before expecting to go inside.
- Pair a walk downtown with a day trip to Prairie Village Railroad for a real train ride.
Sioux Falls has no regular holiday train of its own. For seasonal rides in the region, browse our list of Christmas train rides in South Dakota.
Keeping the rail story in view
These sites are cared for by many hands: the city of Sioux Falls, which has documented the history of its downtown rail yard ahead of redevelopment, the owners of the historic depot buildings, and the working railroads still running through town. Visitors help by respecting railroad property and supporting the businesses and groups that keep the old depots in use.
Rail museums within a drive of Sioux Falls
Prairie Village Railroad near Madison is about 39 miles away and runs train rides in summer. The Sioux City Railroad Museum in Iowa is about 71 miles south, and End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Minnesota is about 64 miles east. See all South Dakota train museums.
- Prairie Village RailroadMadison, SD · about 39 mi
- South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum railroad exhibitsBrookings, SD · about 53 mi
- End-O-Line Railroad Park & MuseumCurrie, MN · about 64 mi
- Sioux City Railroad MuseumSioux City, IA · about 71 mi
- Kandiyohi County Historical Society railroad exhibitsWillmar, MN · about 143 mi
- Nebraska Railroad MuseumFremont, NE · about 145 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
In our book the train slips into a dark tunnel, and then a big bright light pops out at the end with happy cheers. Standing by a crossing waiting for a freight to come around the bend has the same feeling for my kids: quiet, quiet, then the headlight and the horn. Sioux Falls has that downtown diamond where two railroads meet, which seems like the perfect place to wait for the light.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in South Dakota: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in South Dakota
- Halloween train rides in South Dakota
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Sioux Falls Railroad History Sites?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sioux Falls railroad history: 20 questions answered
Is there a railroad museum in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls does not have a dedicated railroad museum with regular hours. Instead, its rail history is spread across downtown sites: the 1886 Rock Island Depot, the 1888 Illinois Central depot, a working diamond crossing and a historical marker on the Great Dakota Land Boom. For train rides, Prairie Village Railroad near Madison is about 39 miles away.
Where is the Rock Island Depot in Sioux Falls?
The Rock Island Depot is at 201 East 10th Street in Sioux Falls. It opened in 1886 to serve the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, a predecessor of the Rock Island. Building use and opening hours are not posted as a museum, so plan to admire it from outside unless you confirm otherwise.
When was the Rock Island Depot built?
The Rock Island Depot opened in 1886. It was built for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, which later became part of the Rock Island system, during the years when railroads were spreading quickly across Dakota Territory and bringing settlers into Sioux Falls.
Where is the Illinois Central depot in Sioux Falls?
The Illinois Central Passenger Depot stands at the Big Sioux River at 8th Street in Sioux Falls. Designed by L.A. Hill, it opened in 1888. The building does not post museum hours, so check its current use before planning to go inside.
When did the Illinois Central reach Sioux Falls?
The Illinois Central reached Sioux Falls on December 19, 1887, the fourth railroad to arrive in the city. Its passenger depot by the Big Sioux River opened the following year, in 1888, and still stands near 8th Street.
What is the Sioux Falls diamond railroad crossing?
The diamond is a spot downtown where two railroads cross each other at grade, forming the diamond-shaped track pattern rail fans love to photograph. It is a popular stop for history fans and train lovers. Watch only from public areas and never stand on the tracks.
Where can you watch trains in Sioux Falls?
The downtown diamond crossing is the best-known train watching spot, since two railroads meet there. Freight on lines such as the D&I Railroad, a local shortline, passes through the city. Railfan guides to Sioux Falls list more locations; always watch from public property and keep well clear of active track.
What is the D&I Railroad in Sioux Falls?
The D&I Railroad, nicknamed the Dakota and Iowa Railroad, is a Class III shortline owned by L.G. Everist, Inc. It hauls ethanol, dried distillers grains, corn oil and plastic pellets. Its office is downtown at 350 S Main Ave, but that building is not near the tracks and is not a visitor site.
What is happening to the Sioux Falls downtown rail yard?
A 10.25-acre portion of the former BNSF property downtown has been transferred to the City of Sioux Falls for redevelopment. Plans include removing track, and the city prepared a written history of the downtown rail yard to document it before the changes. Check the city's railyard development pages for current progress.
How did railroads shape Sioux Falls history?
Railroads drove the Great Dakota Land Boom, which ran from the late 1870s through the 1880s, by opening the region to a rush of settlers. Four railroads had reached Sioux Falls by the end of 1887, and two depots from that era still stand downtown. A historical marker in the city tells the story.
Where is the railroad historical marker in Sioux Falls?
A historical marker titled Railroads stands in Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County and explains how rail expansion fueled the Great Dakota Land Boom. The Historical Marker Database lists its exact location and photos, which is the easiest way to find it before your walk.
Can you ride a train in Sioux Falls?
There is no regular passenger or excursion train in Sioux Falls. The nearest train rides are at Prairie Village Railroad near Madison, about 39 miles away, where trains run on Saturdays at 2 pm during the summer season. Check that railroad's website for its current schedule.
Is Sioux Falls railroad history free to see?
Yes, the depots, the diamond crossing and the historical marker can all be seen from public streets at no cost. There are no tickets or posted hours. If a depot building is in commercial use, respect its hours and ask before going inside.
How long does a Sioux Falls rail history walk take?
Plan about one to two hours to see both depots, the diamond crossing and the historical marker, depending on how much time you spend watching for trains. Distances between some stops may be easier by car with small kids.
Is Sioux Falls rail history good for kids?
It suits kids who enjoy spotting trains and big old buildings, especially if a freight passes the diamond while you are there. There are no rides or hands-on exhibits, so keep the outing short with toddlers and keep everyone well back from tracks and moving trains.
Are there Christmas trains in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls does not have its own regularly scheduled holiday train ride. Families looking for a Christmas train experience can check rides elsewhere in South Dakota and in neighboring states, and watch local news each season for special railroad events.
Which railroads served Sioux Falls?
Several railroads reached Sioux Falls in the 1880s. They included the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, a predecessor of the Rock Island, and the Illinois Central, which arrived in December 1887 as the fourth railroad in the city. Today BNSF land downtown and the D&I shortline continue the story.
Are the Sioux Falls depots wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility information is not posted for the historic depot buildings. The exteriors can be viewed from public sidewalks. If you plan to go inside either building, contact its current occupant ahead of time to ask about entrances and access.
What is the best time to visit Sioux Falls rail sites?
Any time of year works for an outdoor look at the depots and the diamond, though spring through fall is more comfortable for walking. Train traffic does not follow a posted schedule, so leave some time at the diamond if you hope to see one cross.
What train museums are near Sioux Falls?
Prairie Village Railroad near Madison is about 39 miles away, and the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings is about 53 miles. End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Currie, Minnesota is about 64 miles, and the Sioux City Railroad Museum in Iowa is about 71 miles.
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