Indian Reservations

We spent a few days in Valentine to visit Niobara Scenic River(not worth a special trip). Did not know that it was a Reservation. Over the years we've been on and thru many reservations and mostly never noticed especially other than a sign or two. Once we had a problem, there was some political fracus going on and some hotheads (Wind River area) yelled at us but that ws back in the 1980's and didn't amount to anything.
Some reservations have special rules, the Navajo comes to mind, but just check before you wander off the main roads or try boondocking.

I spent 2 years as a Community Organizer in an off-reservation Lakota Sioux Community near Rapid City, SD many years ago. I learned many things, and had great and challenging experiences.

It depends on your attitude, that will determine your experiences. Be gentle, speak softly, and shake hands gently. You should have no issues.

Many reservations are "dry" where alcohol is not permitted.

Just did 16 weeks traveling the west. In Nebraska, don't remember any issues. South Dakota south of Badlands did have road closures. Signs for road closures were vague about where they started so we back tracked and took a slightly longer less scenic route down the interstate going to Badlands NP. We learned to look at each state's DOT website for road closures. While we didn't have any other Indian Reservation issues, we did have to change our route around one road closure and find a more local backroad route around a bridge closing.

One thing to remember, a state highway detour will only use state highways so there could be a much shorter detour they aren't allowed to use. A county road detour can use any road for the detours. In our case of the bridge closing, I wouldn't recommend the two track dirt road we took but a few of the locals were using it making it a very interesting 2-way traffic road through the gullies and mountains of south eastern Colorado but 10 miles of that saved about 120 miles of pavement.

Obey traffic laws and you will be fine.

Just be aware that while on the rez you are essentially in a foreign country with its own laws.
This became painfully true when a lady from our community was murdered at a Indian casino. The chief had the power to allow or deny a lawsuit against the casino.

cliffy49 wrote:
I am currently in the middle of planning a trip out west for the summer of 2022 and while trying to get off of the interstate for a while I have routed myself on US rt20 in Nebrasks to valentine Ne. From there I am planning on taking US rt 83 up to Murdo SD.

My question is probably a little silly but I was wondering if there are any concerns about driving through Indian land. I dont know if there are any special protocols that should be followed or is it just drive and dont worry.

I realize that this is probably a silly question,but I would rather be safe than sorry.

many, many years ago we were at a campground in Wall, SD and asked the staff about going to the Wounded Knee memorial. we were advised that it was too dangerous for 'outsiders' but we decided to go anyway.

- first observation...at the time there was not much to see beyond a church, cemetery and plaque.

- second...most of the people we did encounter were very friendly and we ended up buying a few things at their craft stands.

- lastly...there was a museum of sorts nearby and we found the folks running that to be not so friendly or welcoming but certainly not hostile. we never felt that we were in danger. we're glad we went.

my advice: as with any other town or area rely on your spidey sense as to whether the area you're in is safe or not.

There should be no concerns about traveling through a reservation. If you are on a state or federal highway, no problem. Just be courteous to people, treat the residents like you would anyother person living in the state.

It depends on the reservation, some are closed to all outsiders for many reasons, however, most are open to travelers. Many have casinos and welcome visitors. I'm not sure how you would find out if a reservation is closed, but there are several in SD and in the southwest that are closed due to the Covid rates.

Travel through like you would through any community.