Thank you to all who attended and made the 2023 UMACS Conference a success!
September 22nd & September 23rd, 2023
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

LODGING IN VERMILLION

Free camping is available to the first 20 sites that are requested. You can learn more and sign up here.

The following hotels are walking distance from the conference. You can find info about discounted rates at these hotels and other locations here. 
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Holiday Inn Express (605) 624-7600: The Holiday Inn Express is .7 miles from the University of South Dakota and across the street from the Dakota Dome., and has a gym, pool, and individually wrapped items for breakfast. 

Best Western (605) 624- 8333: The Best Western is 1.1 miles from the University of South Dakota and includes breakfast.

Prairie Inn (605) 624-2824: The Prairie Inn is .4 miles away from the University of South Dakota and includes breakfast. 
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Red Roof Inn (605) 624-8005: The Red Roof Inn is .7 miles away from the University of South Dakota, does not include breakfast. 

Super 8 (605) 624-8005: .6 miles away from the University of South Dakota, includes coffee and individually wrapped items for breakfast. 

ACTIVITIES TO EXPLORE IN & AROUND VERMILLION


​Mulberry Bend Overlook: A dramatic view of the Missouri National Recreational River awaits visitors at Mulberry Bend Overlook. From the parking area, a short paved trail leads to two overlooks that offer views of a free flowing segment of the Missouri. This portion of the river exhibits characteristics that were common hundreds of years ago but are no longer seen on the "man-made" portions of the river. At the first overlook, exhibits provide information about the national park and early American Indians who inhabited the region. At the uppermost overlook, exhibits interpret the river's hydrology, the surrounding forest and a flood that devastated the town of Vermillion in 1881. The paved trail rises 60 feet to the top and is wheelchair accessible to the first overlook. A picnic table and vault toilet is available near the parking lot.

Spirit Mound: Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is one of the few places where you can walk, with certainty, in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. The Missouri River, shifting over the last two hundred years, has cast doubt on the exact location of many other sites. Thanks to descriptions recorded in the Expedition journals, we know that Lewis and Clark stood on the top of Spirit Mound, viewed the extensive prairie below, and endeavored to understand the mystery of the site.

North Alabama Bend/Frost Trail: North Alabama Bend is a protected area of approximately 550 acres managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It consists of land transferred tot he Army Corps in 2009, with "main management objectives to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural features and functions to provide habitat for native fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species". The general region is named for the steamboat North Alabama which sank in this region of the Missouri River.