NPS Photo

Quarry site showing the quartzite wall and quartzite rubble pile.

The pipestone quarries are a sacred site for many American Indians. For centuries, tribes across North America traveled to this site to quarry red pipestone for making pipes and effigies from the easily carved material. Today, they still travel long distances to quarry this sacred stone and continue the tradition of pipemaking. Red pipestone is a valuable spiritual resource to many American Indians.

Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore unique cultural and natural resources. View active quarry pits where American Indians continue the traditions of the past by quarrying pipestone. Continue with the nature walk on the Circle Trail to see historical markers, unique quartzite rock formations, and Winnewissa Falls. The quarries are surrounded with many varieties of flowers and grasses growing in the native tallgrass prairie.

Visitor Center hours vary seasonally, however, park grounds are open year round. All exhibit areas of the visitor center are fully accessible. The Circle Trail is paved, with some slight inclines, and is wheelchair accessible.