Fort Pierre Resident Survey on Tourism

Fort Pierre has been selected as one of two communities to receive support from Travel South Dakota’s Destination Development Program. The program focuses on tourism product development, which means creating or improving the things visitors can see, do, and experience in a community.

As part of this program, a team of local community leaders and organizations—known as the Destination Core Team—is working with the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW) to facilitate a community-driven planning process over the next three months that will help guide tourism product development in Fort Pierre.

Your input is very important! This short survey is open to all individuals who live and/or work in Fort Pierre and will help us learn what matters most to you, as well as the opportunities and priorities you believe will make Fort Pierre a welcoming and vibrant place for both locals and visitors.

Your participation is voluntary. Individual responses will be kept confidential, and findings will be reported only in aggregate to support the tourism product development planning process. No individual respondent will be identified in any reporting.

The survey should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey by Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

As a thank you, survey participants may choose to enter a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate to a local restaurant. At the end of the survey, you will have the option to provide your contact information if you would like to receive survey results, receive project updates, and/or enter the drawing. Contact information will be used only for the purpose or purposes you select and will be kept separate from survey responses.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact the Destination Core Team Coordinator, Cassidy Blade, at cassidy@realizingrural.com.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective and help shape the future of tourism in Fort Pierre!

I. ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY

Question Title

1. Do you currently live and/or work in Fort Pierre? Select all that apply. (Required.)

I live in Fort Pierre

I work in Fort Pierre

I own or operate a business in Fort Pierre

I do not live or work in Fort Pierre*

*If you selected I do not live or work in Fort Pierre, please stop here. This survey is intended for people who live and/or work in Fort Pierre. Thank you for your interest.

Question Title

2. What best describes where you live? (Required.)

57501 ZIP code, within Fort Pierre city limits

57532 ZIP code, within Fort Pierre city limits

57501 ZIP code, outside Fort Pierre city limits

57532 ZIP code, outside Fort Pierre city limits

I do not live in Fort Pierre but work in Fort Pierre

Other ZIP code (please specify)

Question Title

3. If you live in Fort Pierre, how long have you lived there? (Required.)

Less than 1 year

1–5 years

6–10 years

11–20 years

More than 20 years

I do not live in Fort Pierre

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4. What is your age group? (Required.)

Under 18

18–24

25–44

45–64

65+

Prefer not to say

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5. Does anyone in your household currently work in, own, or receive income from a business or organization connected to tourism? (Required.)

Yes

Prefer not to answer

II. TOURISM PERCEPTIONS AND COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

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6. How important do you believe tourism could be for the economy of Fort Pierre? (Required.)

Very important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important at all

Very important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Not very important

Not important at all

Question Title

7. Which of the following benefits of tourism would you most like to see in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

More jobs for residents

More customers and revenue for local businesses

Improvement of community appearance, beautification and maintenance

Improvements to community facilities and amenities (parks, trails, venues)

More activities, events and entertainment options for residents

Celebration and protection of local history, culture and heritage

Protection of the natural environment and outdoor resources

Other (please specify)

III. COMMUNITY IDENTITY AND VALUES

Question Title

8. When visitors leave Fort Pierre, how would you most like them to think of or describe the community? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Friendly and welcoming

Rich in distinctive history and culture

Great for outdoor recreation

Shaped by the Missouri River and surrounding landscape

An authentic western small town

Lively with events and activities

A peaceful place to relax and unwind

Other (please specify)

Question Title

9. Which community values are most important for tourism in Fort Pierre to support? For example: inclusion, local pride, economic opportunity, respect of local traditions, protecting history and culture, caring for the natural environment. Identify up to 3. (Required.)

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10. What natural, cultural, or historic attractions and sites make Fort Pierre distinctive? As you answer, please think about what feels especially connected to Fort Pierre or different from nearby communities and the surrounding area. (Required.)

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11. Are there past attractions, traditions, activities or community stories you would like to see revived? (Required.)

IV. GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES

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12. What is missing that would make visitors stay or stay longer in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

More dining options (e.g., restaurants, cafés, coffee shops)

Additional lodging choices (e.g., hotels, B&Bs, cabins)

Shopping opportunities (e.g., local crafts, specialty stores)

Cultural or heritage attractions (e.g., museums, historic sites, local traditions)

Outdoor recreation (e.g., trails, camping, fishing, sports facilities)

Festivals, events, or live entertainment

Visitor information or wayfinding (e.g., maps, signage, visitor center)

Family-friendly activities (e.g., playgrounds, community events, kid-oriented attractions)

Evening/nightlife options (e.g., bars, music, social spaces)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

13. Looking ahead, which types of tourism experiences should Fort Pierre focus on developing? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Outdoor recreation (hiking, biking, trails, hunting/fishing)

Wildlife and nature-based experiences (birding, wildlife viewing, nature photography)

History and heritage (museums, historic sites, tours, local stories)

Arts and culture (performances, festivals, local crafts)

Food and beverage (restaurants, local foods, markets, food-related events)

Agricultural and ranch experiences (working ranches, demonstration farms, western heritage experiences)

Sports and events (rodeo, tournaments, community gatherings)

Meetings and group events (conferences, retreats, meetings)

Educational experiences (student groups, field trips, interpretive programs)

Family-friendly experiences (children’s activities, indoor play, family attractions)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

14. How can tourism better benefit local families and businesses in Fort Pierre?
Select all that apply. (Required.)

Create family-friendly events and attractions that both residents and visitors can enjoy

Attract more visitors to shop at local stores and markets

Highlight and sell locally made crafts, food, and products

Provide training or resources to help local businesses serve visitors

Encourage the use of local farms and food producers in restaurants and events

Ensure tourism revenues are reinvested into community services and amenities

Develop joint promotions or partnerships between local businesses (e.g., lodging + dining packages)

Other (please specify)

V. SUPPORT, VISION, AND CONCERNS

Question Title

15. How supportive are you of tourism product development efforts (such as improved or new facilities, attractions, or events) to strengthen Fort Pierre as a visitor destination? (Required.)

Very supportive

Somewhat supportive

Neutral

Not very supportive

Not supportive at all

Very supportive

Somewhat supportive

Neutral

Not very supportive

Not supportive at all

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16. What would you like tourism in Fort Pierre to look like in 10 years? (Required.)

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17. What concerns, if any, do you have about further developing tourism in Fort Pierre? (Required.)

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18. Optional: Do you have any additional comments about tourism in Fort Pierre?

VI. STAY CONNECTED

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19. Would you like to receive survey results, receive project updates, and/or enter the gift certificate drawing? Select all that apply. (Required.)

Yes, I would like to receive survey results

Yes, I would like to receive project updates

Yes, I would like to enter the gift certificate drawing

No, not at this time

If you selected any of the “Yes” options above, please provide your contact information below. Your contact information will be kept separate from your survey responses and used only for the purpose(s) you selected.

Fort Pierre Resident Survey on Tourism

Question Title

* 1. Do you currently live and/or work in Fort Pierre? Select all that apply. (Required.)

Question Title

* 2. What best describes where you live? (Required.)

Question Title

* 3. If you live in Fort Pierre, how long have you lived there? (Required.)

Question Title

* 4. What is your age group? (Required.)

Question Title

* 5. Does anyone in your household currently work in, own, or receive income from a business or organization connected to tourism? (Required.)

Question Title

* 6. How important do you believe tourism could be for the economy of Fort Pierre? (Required.)

Question Title

* 7. Which of the following benefits of tourism would you most like to see in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Question Title

* 8. When visitors leave Fort Pierre, how would you most like them to think of or describe the community? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Question Title

* 9. Which community values are most important for tourism in Fort Pierre to support? For example: inclusion, local pride, economic opportunity, respect of local traditions, protecting history and culture, caring for the natural environment. Identify up to 3. (Required.)

Question Title

* 10. What natural, cultural, or historic attractions and sites make Fort Pierre distinctive? As you answer, please think about what feels especially connected to Fort Pierre or different from nearby communities and the surrounding area. (Required.)

Question Title

* 11. Are there past attractions, traditions, activities or community stories you would like to see revived? (Required.)

Question Title

* 12. What is missing that would make visitors stay or stay longer in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Question Title

* 13. Looking ahead, which types of tourism experiences should Fort Pierre focus on developing? Select up to 3. (Required.)

Question Title

* 14. How can tourism better benefit local families and businesses in Fort Pierre? Select all that apply. (Required.)

Question Title

* 15. How supportive are you of tourism product development efforts (such as improved or new facilities, attractions, or events) to strengthen Fort Pierre as a visitor destination? (Required.)

Question Title

* 16. What would you like tourism in Fort Pierre to look like in 10 years? (Required.)

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* 17. What concerns, if any, do you have about further developing tourism in Fort Pierre? (Required.)

Question Title

* 18. Optional: Do you have any additional comments about tourism in Fort Pierre?

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* 19. Would you like to receive survey results, receive project updates, and/or enter the gift certificate drawing? Select all that apply. (Required.)

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* 20. Name

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* 21. Email address

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* 22. Phone number

1. Do you currently live and/or work in Fort Pierre? Select all that apply. (Required.)

2. What best describes where you live? (Required.)

3. If you live in Fort Pierre, how long have you lived there? (Required.)

4. What is your age group? (Required.)

5. Does anyone in your household currently work in, own, or receive income from a business or organization connected to tourism? (Required.)

6. How important do you believe tourism could be for the economy of Fort Pierre? (Required.)

7. Which of the following benefits of tourism would you most like to see in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

8. When visitors leave Fort Pierre, how would you most like them to think of or describe the community? Select up to 3. (Required.)

9. Which community values are most important for tourism in Fort Pierre to support? For example: inclusion, local pride, economic opportunity, respect of local traditions, protecting history and culture, caring for the natural environment. Identify up to 3. (Required.)

10. What natural, cultural, or historic attractions and sites make Fort Pierre distinctive? As you answer, please think about what feels especially connected to Fort Pierre or different from nearby communities and the surrounding area. (Required.)

11. Are there past attractions, traditions, activities or community stories you would like to see revived? (Required.)

12. What is missing that would make visitors stay or stay longer in Fort Pierre? Select up to 3. (Required.)

13. Looking ahead, which types of tourism experiences should Fort Pierre focus on developing? Select up to 3. (Required.)

14. How can tourism better benefit local families and businesses in Fort Pierre?
Select all that apply. (Required.)

15. How supportive are you of tourism product development efforts (such as improved or new facilities, attractions, or events) to strengthen Fort Pierre as a visitor destination? (Required.)

16. What would you like tourism in Fort Pierre to look like in 10 years? (Required.)

17. What concerns, if any, do you have about further developing tourism in Fort Pierre? (Required.)

18. Optional: Do you have any additional comments about tourism in Fort Pierre?

19. Would you like to receive survey results, receive project updates, and/or enter the gift certificate drawing? Select all that apply. (Required.)

20. Name

21. Email address

22. Phone number