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.
Late start on Monday, December 2, 2024
Due to a water line break, the Fall River/Oglala Lakota County Courthouse will not open until Noon on Monday, December 2, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Courthouse Closed – Thanksgiving
The Oglala Lakota & Fall River County Courthouse in Hot Springs will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29, 2024 in observance of Thanksgiving. Business will resume as usual on Monday, December 2nd. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Update 11/27/2024: Courthouse will not open until Noon on Monday due to a waterline repair.
Election Day
November 5th, 2024 is Election Day. Below is some of the information you may need. Voter Information Portal – allows you to look up where you are registered to vote and provides a sample ballot for you to review Oglala Lakota County Polling Places Batesland: Oglala Lakota County Schools – Bill Conquering Bear Gymnasium – […]
Courthouse Closed – Veterans’ Day
The Fall River County Courthouse will be closed Monday, November 11th, in observance of Veteran’s Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, November 12th.