Pipestone National Monument

National Monument · MN · nps.gov page

Purple and yellow wildflowers in a field of tall grass — The tallgrass prairie is an explosion of color spring through fallPhoto: NPS Photo

For over 3,000 years, Indigenous people have quarried the red stone at this site to make pipes used in prayer and ceremony - a tradition that continues to this day and makes this site sacred to many people.

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News

CANCELLED: 2026 National Public Lands Day at Pipestone National Monument 2026-09-16
Calling all volunteers: Pipestone National Monument needs your help on National Public Lands Day! On Saturday, September 26th, volunteers can get out in the tallgrass prairie with park rangers from 9:00am – 12:00pm to help take care of this important cultural site.
National Park Service and USGS Partner for Air Sampling Study at Winnewissa Falls 2026-08-04
From approximately August 9-14, 2026, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will conduct air sampling around Winnewissa Falls at Pipestone National Monument. The sampling is part of a partnership between USGS and the National Park Service to understand contaminants in Pipestone Creek and assess public health risks.

Photos

Pink wall of rock next to path and grass — The outcroppings along the trail are a surprise to many visitors expecting a flat prairiePhoto: J.Borden

A couple outside in snowshoes smiling at the camera — Snowshoeing is available for free after January 1stPhoto: N.Barber

A sheet of stone being taken off a thick slab of stone in a quarry pit — It can take months or even years to reach the pipestone layer in a quarry pit.Photo: J.Borden

A woman standing next to a little girl helping her make a clay pot — Kids have opportunities throughout the summer for hands-on activitiesPhoto: C.McCright

A man in a quarry pit swings a hammer as a woman watches — Quarriers must break through over 6 feet of quartzite to reach the pipestone layerPhoto: N.Barber

A man watches over a woman as she saws a piece of stone — Travis Erickson teaches new carver, Jessica Arkeketa, how to make a pipePhoto: N.Barber

A waterfall partially surrounded by ice — Winnewissa Falls is a favorite spot for visitors all year longPhoto: N.Barber

A man works with tools in a quarry as kids watch — Quarrier and carver Francis Eastman teaches Indigenous youth how to quarryPhoto: N.Barber

A man in a quarry pit holding a sledge hammer — Quarrier Aaron Prim working his way through 6 feet of quartzite to reach pipestonePhoto: N.Barber

Sun reflecting off of water through a canopy of trees — The 3/4-mile Circle Trail is open 7 days a week all year for visitors to enjoyPhoto: N.Barber

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.