About Pipestone National Monument
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Minnesota. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
The grounds are open 24 hours a day year-round so that visitors may walk the 3/4-mile Circle Trail at any time.
Activities
Current Alerts
The prescribed burn for May 11 has concluded and the Circle Trail is now open to visitors.
The Circle Trail bridge under Winnewissa Falls may be closed temporarily due to flooding caused by spring rain. Please pay attention to signage posted in the Visitor Center and at the bridge. The rest of the park and Circle Trail remain open.
On Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day the visitor center will be closed (trails will remain open with access to restrooms on the north side of the building).
Getting There
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Hike the Circle Trail
The Circle Trail is a 3/4-mile long paved path. It cuts through a Tallgrass Prairie, along a creek with the…
Exhibits & Film
Exhibits and a 22-minute film provide visitors with an understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.
Picnic at the Three Maidens
The Monument has complimentary picnic tables and restrooms near the Three Maidens. The sheltered picnic area and lodge are owned…
Indoor Interpretive Experiences
A wide range of indoor interpretive opportunities and hands-on activities are available from spring through fall.
Cultural Demonstrations
From April through October, visitors can learn from cultural demonstrators.
Outdoor Programs
Visitors are offered a chance to hear stories about Pipestone's history, learn more about its cultural and natural resources, attend…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Winter Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing around the Circle Trail is available after January 1st as long as the conditions allow for it.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center
Admission is free and includes cultural demonstrations, exhibits, a film, and park store.
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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