pipestone national monument

This is a magical place with significant meaning for Native American's and I can see why . . . just walking among the rocks was peaceful and relaxing. Granted, we were the only visitors that day and the weather was superb so it added to the experience. I can see why the stone was the material of pipes but also why it has such meaning to many who visit. This is a great place for thoughtful consideration and pensive meditation and a darn good way to spend your day with family and friends. Even your dog is welcome, provided you pick-up a doggie back for those little deposits that occasion any walk with a four - legged friend.

The museum is very well done and the nature trail is beautiful, especially the waterfall. We went in winter and it started snowing. Their were amazing ice formations at the base of the waterfall. Winter is a great time to go.

Imagine traveling across miles of prairie, only to arrive at a hidden paradise! This is the Pipestone National Monument. The area is steeped in Native American history and it is no wonder, when you see it, why the American Indian was drawn to this location. The Visitor's Center is very informative, and the cultural demonstrators are a wealth of knowledge, especially Travis Erickson, quarter blood member of the Sisseton Wapeton Dakota Tribe. He is a master carver of Native American pipes and is a joy to converse with! Not to be missed!

The displays in this location were informative and interesting. The movie was moving. It was wonderful to visit a site people hold to be so sacred.

We were driving west and stayed in Pipestone, MN. While looking at the map we noticed Pipestone National Monument which we had never heard of before. We decided to check it out the next morning. Wow! What a unique place. Seems this is he only place in the nation where pipestone is quarried. The Native Americans have gathered here to quarry their pipestone, which is carved into peace pipes. Even when the tribes weren't on the best of terms with each other. There is a beautiful walking path that passes many of these quarries, through the grassland, along the river and by a beautiful waterfall. The memorial is run by the National Parks, but the gift shop inside the main building is non-profit run by the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. You can also watch an artisan carving pipes. We enjoyed our visit very much and would highly recommend taking a couple hours to see the area.

We visited Pipestone National Monument as a side trip to South Dakota. We felt we were so close and we wanted to add Minnesota to our list of states visited so we drove up to the park. It was very interesting to us because we are about 1/2 Okie and very into the Native American artifacts.This was the first place I saw the colorful pieces of yarn tied to the trees as an offering for taking the stone. Have seen it several times since and think it is a neat practice. It was well worth the drive!

The trail to the falls is pretty, it is a nice place to stretch your legs on a long road trip. Take the time to watch the twenty minute video and see the demonstrations in the visitor's center.

Great place to go if you appreciate native american history. Trail is a little short, but the history and landscape is quite impressive.

Second visit to the peaceful and special place. Both times I have been struck by the understated beauty of the rock formations at the falls. The one-hour or so walk is lovely. The park's information center, video presentation and gift center (with artist demonstration spaces) are all well done. Worth the detour if you like authentic Native American experiences.

The Pipestone National Monument, in the South-west corner of Minnesota, is a little ways off the beaten track. However, it is so beautiful and historically important, it is well worth travelling to. "Pipestone" refers to the Catlinite stone used for centuries by Native Americans to carve pipes and other ceremonial and religious items. The area around the national monument is considered to be sacred ground by Native Americans, who still quarry there, using their traditional practices.Be sure to watch the informative 20-minute video in the visitor's center.A short intrepretive trail winds through and along the quarries, quartzite cliffs, and streams. It is quiet, peaceful, and contemplative, as well as really quite beautiful. If you're lucky, you may be able to watch the Native Americans quarrying stone.

Very interesting and informative, nice place. Waterfall was dry after walking all the way back there, but that's nobody's fault. Quarries were interesting, pretty landscape there!

A beautiful place to spend the day with your husband and/or family. The trails winding in and out of quarries, over streams, and the unforgettable sight of the waterfall. We had such a wonderful day and were glad we took time to see the video first. Truly a spectacular walk through history. I remember the Hiawatha plays that were held there when I was a child growing up nearby. I was sorry to see the plays were no longer being held; but, it was a beautiful as I remembered it and loved sharing part of my childhood with my husband.

On the outskirts of Pipestone, MN, this monument is a treasure in the grasslands of southwest Minnesota. A walking trail of less than one mile is easily managed, with a few areas where the terrain rises and falls, but it's worth it to see the mighty waterfall midway through the trek. There is a small park office where the history of the quarry and surrounding area is told in artifacts, a short movie, or a park ranger. Often artisans use the space to work with beads or other materials, bringing to life the spirit of history. Nearby are the "Three Maidens" and a replication of a fort which has a gift shop. Actually there are several gift and souvenir shops nearby and downtown Pipestone has some really sweet antique shops and a great clothing store. Recently, the Calumet Inn, a Pipestone restaurant and hotel were featured in the show "Hotel Hell", which doesn't seem like a great distinction, but they seemed to be pretty welcoming to the film crew the evening we went for dinner (which was delicious). The areas of Pipestone, SW Mn and SE South Dakota have quite a bit to offer, especially if you enjoy being outdoors. We visit every couple of years and there is always a new adventure to try.

The winding trails that now meander in and out of the quarries are amazing. We felt all alone on the prairie and really enjoyed our time . The planning of the trails and the way it was all laid out was really beautiful.

We went here for a day trip from the Twin Cities. Left home at 8 a.m. and got to the monument around noon. There is a fee of $3 per person if you do not have a National Parks Pass. Watch the video first. Even though I have studied much of Minnesota's history, there are things that I have never learned or that need refreshing. This was a learning moment for me, and I thoroughly appreciated the time spent there. The walking path is fairly easy and not very long. There are a couple of places where you can climb up and see other things from a different perspective. Looking through the little peephole at the Oracle was amazing, because if we had not known about it, we may not have noticed it. Some of the path is wheelchair accessible, but there are a couple of points where it is not. They just upgraded the paths, which made walking nice, but some are a little narrow. We went through the museum after we walked along the path, and while we were making some purchases in the gift shop, we had a nice talk with one of the people who spend time at the Visitor Center making things from the stone. This is a smaller monument located in the southwest corner of the state, but not too far off of 90. If you are coming that way, take a detour and visit. I have seen many national parks and monuments and very much appreciate these little gems.