Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone National Monument
The first National Park Service area established within the boundaries of Minnesota, Pipestone National Monument possesses a valuable spiritual resource to many American Indians. The pipestone quarries are a sacred site for many American Indians attracting tribes across North American to quarry red pipestone for making pipes and effigies from the easily carveable material.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Jim La RockPhone Number: 507-825-5464
Entrance Fees: Individual (valid for 7 days): $5; Vehicle (valid for 7 days): $5; Child (15 years & under): Free; Pipestone National Monument Annual Pass: $15
Sights: Upper Midwest Indial Cultural Center; Nature Walk; Pipestone Quarries; Old Stone Face; Winnewissa Falls; Oracle Tallgrass Prairie
Important Dates
Established as Park: August 25, 1937By The Numbers
Acres: 281.00Annual Visitation: 66,867 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :44.013310 / -96.325050 (map it)
State: MN
Nearby Big City: Pipestone, MN
Gateway Communities: Pipestone, MN; Ihlen, MN; Trosky, MN; Holland, MN; Jasper, MN; Woodstock, MN; Egan, SD; Ruthton, MN; Lake Benton, MN; Hardwick, MN; Flandreau, SD
Nearby Airports: Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD); Reston/R.M. of Pipestone Airport (TC LID)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : No
Park Photos
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National Park Service
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National Park Service
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National Park Service
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In Detail
Activities & Programs Indoor Activities Interpretive Programs Organized interpretive programs are available during the summer. Programs may include talks in the Visitor Center on a variety of subjects, a guided walk on th ... read more.
Animals Pipestone National Monument is home to many animal species. Among the more popular and visible residents are; thirteen-lined ground squirrels, great blue herons, snapping turtles, and beaver. Dur ... read more.
Camping Campgrounds Campgrounds are not available at the park, but are available at these nearby locatoins. Pipestone RV Campground, across from the park's entrance. Phone 507-825-2455 Split Rock Creek Stat ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions Where is the Monument? The Monument consists of the pipestone quarries in western Minnesota and the 283 acres surrounding them. There is no specific structure, plaque, marker, or monument. A National ... read more.
Geology Quarrying Process The actual quarrying of pipestone is often an unappreciated part of the tradition surrounding pipemaking. The task of extracting pipestone from the earth is a slow and labor intensi ... read more.
History At an ancient time the Great Spirit, in the form of a large bird, stood upon the wall of rock and called all the tribes around him, and breaking out a piece of the red stone formed it into a pipe a ... read more.
Just For Kids Junior Ranger Program Kids ages 5-12 can be a Junior Ranger at Pipestone National Monument! To become a Junior Ranger, stop by the information desk in the visitor center and ask for a Trailsheet and ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Lodging Motels in Pipestone, Minnesota Arrow Motel - phone 507-825-3331 Historic Calumet Inn - phone 507-825-5871 Super 8 Motel - phone 507-825-4217 ... read more.
Natural World Located in rural southwest Minnesota, Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore unique cultural and natural resources. The Monument was established in 1937 to provide American I ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Things to Know Before You Come The pipestone quarries are a sacred site for many American Indians. For centuries, tribes across North American traveled to this site to quarry red pipestone for makin ... read more.
Plants Pipestone National Monument, by virtue of its protected status, has some of the only native prairie habitat left in the southwest Minnesota. The plants of the prairie can be seen close up along the ... read more.
Sights to See Nearby Attractions Pipestone Chamber of Commerce The Pipestone Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor's Bureau can provide additional information for planning your visit to Pipestone, MN. Pip ... read more.
Things To Do Visitor Center The visitor center features an eight-minute orientation program which provides a history of the pipestone quarries. Interpretive exhibits about the cultural and natural resources of t ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Volunteer Become a VIP and put yourself at the heart of the park experience. As a Volunteer at Pipestone National Monument you can make a difference in your life and lives of others as you help the n ... read more.
Pipestone In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
