Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone, MN Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Monument

Operating Hours & Seasons

Pipestone National Monument Offices

“When you pray with this pipe, you pray for and with everything.” -Black Elk For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe’s smoke carries one’s prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Monday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Tuesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Wednesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Thursday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Saturday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Additional Information View More

• Thanksgiving Day:
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• Christmas Day:
• –

• New Year’s Day:
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Park Entrance

Prairie Circle Trail

The Circle Trail begins and ends at the Visitor Center, is a paved walking trail that leads to several points of interest at Pipestone National Monument. We suggest alotting 45 minutes to an hour for the entire walk. Features along the trail include the pipestone quarries, historical markers, Old Stone Face, Winnewissa Falls, Oracle and the native tallgrass prairie. The Circle Trail is open year-round. Weather in Minnesota is variable. Be prepared for seasonal conditions and rapidly-changing weather.

Standard Hours

• Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
• Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $7.00 – Pipestone National Monument Entry Fee
  Entrance Fee, entitles visitors access to the circle trail, which leads to several points of interest around the park, and Visitor Center, which includes a 22 minute film, museum, exhibits, and seasonal demonstrators. EXEMPT: Children 15-years-old and younger and American Indians enrolled in a tribe recognized by the U.S. Government. Fee Waivers may be granted to accredited school and educational groups (service, civic or fraternal organization) visiting the park in an educational capacity.

Entrance Passes:

• $30.00 – Pipestone National Monument Annual Pass
  Pipestone National Monument Annual Pass is good for one year from month of purchase. The cardholder, or any member of the immediate family (spouse, children, or parents), may present the pass for entrance to the park. The pass may be purchased only in person at Pipestone National Monument. Fee Waivers may be granted to accredited school and educational groups (service, civic or fraternal organization) visiting the park in an educational capacity. Please call (507) 825-5464 ext. 214.

About

"When you pray with this pipe, you pray for and with everything." -Black Elk

For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe’s smoke carries one’s prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.

Directions

Plane: Commercial service – located at Sioux Falls, SD -Joe Foss Field airport. 50 miles from Pipestone National Monument. Rental cars are available at the airport. Non-Commercial service – located at Pipestone MN airport. Courtesy car or transit service available to Pipestone National Monument from the airport. Car: Pipestone National Monument is easily accessible from local highways. When you reach the city of Pipestone, road signs will lead you to Pipestone National Monument.

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center hosts numerous activities, including a museum that features exhibits about Pipestone National Monument’s cultural, historical and natural resources; an award winning 22-minute film, “Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy”, which provides perspective on the significance of Pipestone and the quarrying tradition still carried out today; and, seasonally, American Indian craft workers demonstrating the art of shaping and creating pipestone crafts and pipes.

Weather

Weather varies seasonally from warm and humid in the summer to cold and snowy in the winter. Visitors should be prepared for seasonal weather and for rapidly-changing conditions.

Permits and Reservations Information