Pipestone National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Minnesota
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
🚗 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.
Images
The outcroppings along the trail are a surprise to many visitors expecting a flat prairie
Credit: J.Borden
The tallgrass prairie is an explosion of color spring through fall
Credit: NPS Photo
Snowshoeing is available for free after January 1st
Credit: N.Barber
It can take months or even years to reach the pipestone layer in a quarry pit.
Credit: J.Borden
Kids have opportunities throughout the summer for hands-on activities
Credit: C.McCright
Quarriers must break through over 6 feet of quartzite to reach the pipestone layer
Credit: N.Barber
Travis Erickson teaches new carver, Jessica Arkeketa, how to make a pipe
Credit: N.Barber
Winnewissa Falls is a favorite spot for visitors all year long
Credit: N.Barber
Quarrier and carver Francis Eastman teaches Indigenous youth how to quarry
Credit: N.Barber
Quarrier Aaron Prim working his way through 6 feet of quartzite to reach pipestone
Credit: N.Barber
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Jun 17
Moderate rain
High: 68.4°F | Low: 56.5°F
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 23 mph
Rain Chance: 76%
UV Index: 7.7
Sunrise: 05:41 AM
Sunset: 09:10 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (11%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.2°F
Cloud Cover: 76%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Jun 18
Patchy rain nearby
High: 68.8°F | Low: 51.3°F
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 14.1 mph
Rain Chance: 26%
UV Index: 8.3
Sunrise: 05:41 AM
Sunset: 09:10 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (19%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 53.7°F
Cloud Cover: 26%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Jun 19
Patchy rain nearby
High: 76.2°F | Low: 51°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 20.1 mph
Rain Chance: 17%
UV Index: 8.8
Sunrise: 05:42 AM
Sunset: 09:11 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (28%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 55.3°F
Cloud Cover: 17%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Wind Advisory issued June 17 at 4:28AM CDT until June 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Effective: Jun 17, 2026 5:28am
Expires: Jun 17, 2026 5:00pm
* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected.
* WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Iowa, southwest
Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, and east central and southeast South
Dakota.
* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM CDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Christmas Day Holiday
Due to the upcoming federal holidays, the Monument Visitor Center will be closed on December 25th. The Pipestone Indian Shrine Association gift shop, located at the Visitor Center, will also be closed on the same days.
While the Monument's Visitor Center will be closed, the Monument's Circle Trail will be open for those wanting to spend the afternoon enjoying a walk on the trail. Visitors are advised to dress warmly to walk the Circle Trail.
Location: Pipestone National Monument
Date: Dec 25, 2016 12:00am to Dec 25, 2016 12:00am
Paid Event
New Year's Day Holiday
Due to the upcoming federal holidays, the Monument Visitor Center will be closed on January 1st. The Pipestone Indian Shrine Association gift shop, located at the Visitor Center, will also be closed on the same days.
While the Monument's Visitor Center will be closed, the Monument's Circle Trail will be open for those wanting to spend the afternoon enjoying a walk on the trail. Visitors are advised to dress warmly to walk the Circle Trail.
Location: Visitor Center
Date: Jan 1, 2018 12:00am to Jan 1, 2018 12:00am
Paid Event
Quarry Talk
Join a ranger to learn about the layers of rock beneath your feet and the powerful cultural traditions that have shaped this sacred landscape for over 3,000 years.
Location: Meet your ranger at the entrance desk a few minutes before the program begins.
Date: Jun 1, 2026 12:00am to Sep 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
36 Reservation Ave
Pipestone, MN 56164
🏤 Mailing Address:
36 Reservation Ave
Pipestone, MN 56164
📞 Voice Phone: 5078255464
📞 Fax Phone: 5078255466
✉️ Email: pipe_interpretation@nps.gov