Pipestone National Monument

Lake Hiawatha, one of many scenic sites visitors can see from the Monument Circle Trail.
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.
Map showing location of park.
Volunteers collecting native plant seeds at Pipestone National Monument
2026 National Public Lands Day at Pipestone National Monument
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.
A black tripod sits on grass. At the top of the tripod is a football-sized device used to measure air quality.
National Park Service and USGS Partner for Air Sampling Study at Winnewissa Falls
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.
Purple and yellow wildflowers in a field of tall grass
Photo by NPS Photo
Pink wall of rock next to path and grass
Photo by J.Borden
A couple outside in snowshoes smiling at the camera
Photo by N.Barber
A sheet of stone being taken off a thick slab of stone in a quarry pit
Photo by J.Borden
A woman standing next to a little girl helping her make a clay pot
Photo by C.McCright
A man in a quarry pit swings a hammer as a woman watches
Photo by N.Barber
A man watches over a woman as she saws a piece of stone
Photo by N.Barber
A waterfall partially surrounded by ice
Photo by N.Barber
A man works with tools in a quarry as kids watch
Photo by N.Barber
A man in a quarry pit holding a sledge hammer
Photo by N.Barber
Sun reflecting off of water through a canopy of trees
Photo by N.Barber