Pipestone National Monument
Activities & Programs
Indoor Activities
Interpretive Programs
Organized interpretive programs are available during the summer. Programs may include talks in the Visitor Center on a variety of subjects, a guided walk on the Circle Trail, or a discussion on quarrying by American Indians. Check at the Visitor Center for topics, meeting time, and place.
Cultural Demonstrations
Cultural demonstrations of pipe making by American Indians are provided in the cultural center from April to mid-October.
Outdoor Activities
The paved Circle Trail, which begins and ends at the Visitor Center, leads to several points of interest at the Monument. It is a delightful walk of three quarters of a mile and requires approximately 45 minutes. Features along the trail include the pipestone quarries, historical markers, Old Stone Face, Winnewissa Falls, Oracle and the native tallgrass prairie. Benches are located along the trail.
Visitor Center
The visitor center features an eight-minute orientation program which provides a history of the pipestone quarries. Interpretive exhibits about the cultural and natural resources of the site can be found throughout the building, in addition to the main museum objects on display. A petroglyph display was recently constructed in the Upper Midwest Indian Cultural Center, located inside the visitor center.
Cultural Demonstrations
The cultural center features demonstrations of pipe making by American Indian craft workers using stone from the quarries. The demonstrations are available from April to mid-October.
Nature Walk
The ¾ mile self-guiding Circle Trail begins at the visitor center and loops through the quarries, passing sites of historic and scenic interest. A wide variety of wildlife and remnant tallgrass prairie ecosystems can be seen. A trail booklet is available at the visitor center.
Pipestone In Depth
News from the Parks
State Pushing its Plan to Thin Federal Elk Herd
January 7, 2009 - 3:39pm
Unhappy with federal alternatives, the State Game and Fish Department is pushing its own plan to thin an overpopulated elk herd at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
January 7, 2009 - 3:39pm
Unhappy with federal alternatives, the State Game and Fish Department is pushing its own plan to thin an overpopulated elk herd at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Northwestern Hawaiian Isles Might Met U.N. Designation
January 7, 2009 - 3:11pm
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could become the second United Nations World Heritage site in Hawaii, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
January 7, 2009 - 3:11pm
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could become the second United Nations World Heritage site in Hawaii, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Full Slate of Activities this Month at Saguaro National Park
January 7, 2009 - 3:09pm
A series of programs are under way at Saguaro National Park. Explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk or join a local expert for a presentation in the visitor center. Programs will be offered at both districts. There is no charge for interpretive programs, but park entrance fees apply.
January 7, 2009 - 3:09pm
A series of programs are under way at Saguaro National Park. Explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk or join a local expert for a presentation in the visitor center. Programs will be offered at both districts. There is no charge for interpretive programs, but park entrance fees apply.
Park Service Rolls Out Bike Sharing
January 7, 2009 - 3:08pm
About 300 National Park Service employees have the opportunity to get around D.C. in an environmentally-friendly way. In a one-year demo program between the NPS and Lousiville, Ky.-based Humana Inc., the health-benefit company is giving 30 bikes to NPS employees to help them cut down on auto gas emissions.
January 7, 2009 - 3:08pm
About 300 National Park Service employees have the opportunity to get around D.C. in an environmentally-friendly way. In a one-year demo program between the NPS and Lousiville, Ky.-based Humana Inc., the health-benefit company is giving 30 bikes to NPS employees to help them cut down on auto gas emissions.
A Plan for Stimulus Money: National Parks
January 7, 2009 - 3:05pm
There are any number of things that could be done with the upcoming, huge stimulus package to put Americans back to work and and improve infrastructure. About $2.5 billion of that could go to our national parks, says the National Parks Conservation Association, and they have a plan.
January 7, 2009 - 3:05pm
There are any number of things that could be done with the upcoming, huge stimulus package to put Americans back to work and and improve infrastructure. About $2.5 billion of that could go to our national parks, says the National Parks Conservation Association, and they have a plan.
