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"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.

 
Cultural demonstrator shaping pipestone item

Cultural Demonstrations

Local American Indians carve pipestone throughout the summer months in the Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, located inside the visitor center. Utilizing personal experience and the traditions their ancestors taught them, the craftspeople provide insightful information and close-up views of how they work and carve pipestone. Many of them are third- and fourth-generation carvers and quarriers.
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A quarrier working in his quarry pit

Quarrying

While quarrying is the first and most basic step of the pipestone tradition, it is the least appreciated part.  The task of extracting pipestone from the earth requires a commitment to many days of physically challenging work with hand tools and methods that differ very little from those used in centuries past. Quarries are allocated by permit issued by the Monument but demand for quarries far exceeds the number available each year. Despite a lengthy waiting list American Indians from many tribes accept the challenge and continue the quarrying tradition.
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Winnewissa Falls

General Management Plan

The final General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Pipestone National Monument was completed in 2008. This document will guide management of the Monument for the next 15-20 years.
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Write to

Pipestone National Monument
36 Reservation Avenue
Pipestone, MN 56164

Phone

Visitor Information
(507) 825-5464

Fax

(507) 825-5466

Climate

With an altitude of 1,600 feet, the area is high plains. Summer temperatures average in the 80’s with the high reaching 100 occasionally. Winters are cold and windy with temperatures sometimes reaching below 0.
Communities Surrounding Pipestone National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Pipestone, MN (6 min. ) Pop. 4,280
Ihlen, MN (14 min. ) Pop. 107
Trosky, MN (16 min. ) Pop. 116
Holland, MN (17 min. ) Pop. 215
Jasper, MN (19 min. ) Pop. 597
Woodstock, MN (25 min. ) Pop. 132
Egan, SD (27 min. ) Pop. 265
Ruthton, MN (27 min. ) Pop. 284
Lake Benton, MN (28 min. ) Pop. 703
Hardwick, MN (29 min. ) Pop. 222
 Flandreau, SD (29 min. ) Pop. 2,376
Edgerton, MN (30 min. ) Pop. 1,033
Lake Wilson, MN (36 min. ) Pop. 270
Trent, SD (38 min. ) Pop. 254
Tyler, MN (39 min. ) Pop. 1,218
Kenneth, MN (42 min. ) Pop. 61
Elkton, SD (44 min. ) Pop. 677
Chandler, MN (44 min. ) Pop. 276
Leota, MN (45 min. ) Pop. 230