Plan an Epic Little House on the Prairie Road Trip with Stops in These 7 Towns
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a Little House on the Prairie road trip is the perfect family adventure.
Snuggled under my blankets in bed, I wait patiently for my parents to retreat to their room.
Creak.
Click.
Whoosh!
Seconds after hearing the door close, I pull a book from under my pillow, switch on a flashlight, and travel once again through the pages to a prairie in De Smet, South Dakota.
Those late-night adventures with the Little House on the Prairie books turned into afternoons watching the TV series—and later, evenings reading the stories aloud to my own kids. That’s why I was ecstatic to discover that you can actually visit many of the Little House on the Prairie sites from the books.
From the big woods of Wisconsin to the wide prairies farther west, you can plan a road trip that follows in the footsteps of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.
So pack your bags, grab your bonnet (or at least your road trip snacks), and get ready to explore these seven towns where Laura’s stories come to life.
Before You Go
Many of the Little House on the Prairie sites are seasonal, so be sure to check opening dates before you plan your trip. If you want the full experience, consider spending a few days in some of these towns—you’ll find plenty to explore.
Step Inside the Cabin from Little House in the Big Woods in Pepin, Wisconsin
Step inside a replica of the cabin where Laura’s story began in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Nestled near Pepin, this cozy log cabin brings the first book to life and gives visitors a sense of what pioneer living was like.
Don’t miss:
Wayside Cabin
A faithful replica of Laura’s childhood home. Learn more here.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Featuring artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays about Laura’s life and the times she lived in. Explore the museum here.
Lake Pepin
The sparkling lake where Laura and Mary played along the shore, went on family picnics, and even saw their first steamboat. Perfect for a stroll or a picnic with your own family.
Imagine Ma Cooking in the Masters Hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa
Step into the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder that still stands on its original site. The Masters Hotel in Burr Oak served as both a hotel and a restaurant, where Laura lived with her family from 1876–1877. Imagine Ma cooking for travelers while the Ingalls girls helped with chores in this bustling stop along the stagecoach route.
Don’t miss:
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum
Explore the restored hotel and museum to get a glimpse of Laura’s life during this often-overlooked chapter of her childhood. Plan your visit here.
Experience What It Was Like to Live in a Sod House in Sanborn, Minnesota
Ever wondered what it was like to live in a house made of sod? Step inside a carefully reconstructed sod house in Sanborn, Minnesota, and experience firsthand how pioneer families sheltered themselves on the wide-open prairie. You might be surprised by how cool the thick earthen walls feel on a hot summer day.
Don’t miss:
Sod House on the Prairie
Explore this authentic replica and imagine daily life for families carving out a living on the prairie. Learn more here.
Frolic in Plum Creek in Walnut Grove, Minnesota
One of the most beloved spots from the Little House series, Walnut Grove lets you relive Laura’s childhood adventures along Plum Creek. Picture Laura and Mary wading barefoot in the cool water or chasing butterflies in the tall prairie grass. This stop offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and rich history.
Don’t miss:
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Exhibits, artifacts, and hands-on displays that bring Walnut Grove’s pioneer days to life. Explore the museum here.
Ingalls Dugout Site on Plum Creek
Visit the spot where the Ingalls family lived in a dugout home carved into the creek bank. Learn more here.
The Wilder Pageant
Every July, the community puts on an outdoor drama under the prairie night sky. The pageant tells the story of Laura’s life in Walnut Grove with music, horses, and live action on a hillside stage. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that draws Little House fans from across the country. Learn more here.
Other Historic Sites
See additional locations around Walnut Grove tied to the Ingalls family and pioneer life. View them here.
Plum Creek Park
Camp near Lake Laura at this county park. RV sites, tent sites, and cabins are available. There are nice hiking trails and a beach available. Plum Creek, the one Laura wrote about in her books, runs through the park.
Admire the Cottonwood trees planted by Pa at the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota
De Smet is a treasure trove for Little House on the Prairie fans. We stayed two nights and still felt we could have used another day to see everything!
Don’t miss:
Ingalls Homestead
Follow the path past five cottonwood trees planted by Pa and explore numerous historic buildings. Try hands-on activities like hay twisting, wheat grinding, washing clothes, making your own rope, or crafting a corn cob doll to take home. There’s even a covered wagon ride to a one-room schoolhouse, pony cart rides, and horseback opportunities. Plan your visit here.
Camping at the Homestead
Bunkhouse
Covered Wagon
Tent Campsite
Stay overnight in a tent, RV site, bunkhouse, or covered wagon for a true pioneer experience.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes
Surveyor’s House
Gift Shop
Brewster School
Original First School of De Smet
Ingalls Home on Third Street
Tour the original Surveyors’ House, the first house Pa built in town, and the first school Laura and Carrie attended. The interactive Discovery Center lets kids explore historic props. Learn more here.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
Enjoy the outdoor drama celebrating Laura’s life, complete with music and local talent. More info here.
Loftus Store
Visit this historic general store, still operating in the heart of De Smet. Visit the store here.
De Smet Cemetery
See the gravestones of many Ingalls family members and neighbors.
Silver Lake
Take the walking trail along Silver Lake, the original site of the Surveyors’ House, and enjoy scenic views.
Other Notable Sites
Big Slough, Lake Thompson, and Almanzo’s homestead and tree claim sites are nearby.
See the Well That Pa Dug in Independence, Kansas
Step back in time at the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, Kansas, and imagine the Ingalls family carving out their life on the frontier. A replica of the family cabin lets you step inside pioneer life, while the well Pa dug offers a tangible connection to Laura’s stories.
Don’t miss:
Little House on the Prairie Museum
Explore the recreated home where the family would have cooked, slept, and spent their days. See the original well and imagine the hard work it took to provide water for a frontier family. Tour an old post office and one-room schoolhouse to get a feel for life in a small Kansas town. Learn more here.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Strong City, Kansas)
Engage all your senses as you walk through one of the last remaining stretches of tallgrass prairie in America. Plan your visit here. Approximately 2 1/2 hours northwest of the Little House on the Prairie Museum.
Homestead National Historical Park (Beatrice, Nebraska)
Learn about the Homestead Act that encouraged Pa and thousands of other families to continue moving west. Explore the park here. Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes north of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
See Pa’s Fiddle at Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, Missouri
Mansfield is where Laura and Almanzo settled, raised their daughter Rose, and where Laura wrote the Little House books we love today. You’ll probably want to plan extra time here—there’s so much to see and do.
Don’t miss:
Pa’s Fiddle
On display at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, this treasured family heirloom is one of the most meaningful artifacts for Little House fans.
The Historic Farmhouse
Tour the home where Laura and Almanzo lived for more than 60 years.
The Rock House
Built by Rose for her parents, this charming stone cottage is where Laura began writing her famous series.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Exhibits include manuscripts, keepsakes, and personal belongings of the Wilder family.
Wrap Up Your Little House on the Prairie Road Trip
From the Big Woods of Wisconsin to the rolling prairies of South Dakota and the quiet farm in Missouri where Laura wrote her beloved books, each stop on this road trip offers a chance to step deeper into the world of the Ingalls family.
Visiting these sites isn’t just about history—it’s about walking where Laura walked, seeing the landscapes that shaped her stories, and sharing those moments with your own family. Whether you’re camping at the Ingalls Homestead, strolling the shores of Lake Pepin, or standing in front of Pa’s fiddle in Mansfield, you’ll come away with memories that connect generations.
So pack your bags, grab your map, and set out on your own Little House on the Prairie road trip. The adventure is waiting—just as it always has on the open prairie.
🚗 If you could take your family on any literary-inspired road trip, where would you go?
