Traverse des Sioux State Park is a historic site located near the city of St. Peter in Nicollet County, Minnesota. The park preserves the location where the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was signed on July 23, 1851, a pivotal event in Minnesota history that opened vast stretches of prairie land to white settlement.

The treaty, signed between the United States government and the Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of the Dakota people, transferred approximately 24 million acres of land in exchange for payments and reservation lands. This agreement fundamentally altered the landscape of southern Minnesota and set the stage for the rapid settlement that followed.

Today, the park features interpretive displays and markers that tell the story of the treaty signing and its lasting consequences for both Dakota people and settlers. The site along the Minnesota River offers a contemplative setting where visitors can reflect on this complex chapter of Minnesota history. Walking paths and river views provide a peaceful experience in the Minnesota River valley landscape.

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