The county is entirely within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and contains part of Badlands National Park. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county; taxes on alcohol consumed within the county go to other counties.
Oglala Lakota County is one of two counties in South Dakota that does not have its own county seat (Todd County is the other). Hot Springs in neighboring Fall River County serves as its administrative center. It is also one of five South Dakota counties that are entirely on an Indian reservation. (The others are Corson, Dewey, Todd, and Ziebach.) [Article: Why Does a Reservation County also have a County Government?]
Oglala Lakota County was renamed in May of 2015, originally it had been named Shannon County. Until 1982 Oglala Lakota and Washabaugh County, South Dakota, were the last unorganized counties in the United States. Although it was organized and received a home rule charter that year, Oglala Lakota County, as noted above, contracts with Fall River County for its Auditor, Treasurer, Director of Equalization, State’s Attorney and Registrar of Deeds.
Reassessment Complete
The assessors have finished the 2023 summer reassessment. See the summer reassessment page for further information and frequently asked questions.
Courthouse Closed – Labor Day
The Fall River & Oglala Lakota County Courthouse in Hot Springs will be closed Monday, September 4th, in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, September 5th.
Weather Forecast Zone Changes
The NWS Weather Forecast Office in Rapid City is making some changes to the Public Weather Forecast zones in our area. The purpose of these changes is to provide more accurate headlines for winter and non-precipitation hazards. These changes will go into effect September 19th. See NWS article for more information: https://www.weather.gov/unr/Public_Zone_Change2023
Reassessment – Week 4
The assessors are back in the field this week after some interruptions due to weather and classes. The week of August 20th the assessors will be out on Tuesday and Thursday working routes west and north of Batesland. See Summer Reassessment page for additional maps and frequently asked questions.
