Pipestone National Monument

Discover how Native Americans fashioned their sacred pipe bowls from a real working quarry in Minnesota. Peace pipes were integral to Native American society. They served a religious purpose as they carried prayers to the Great Spirit. Smoking pipes together was a bonding activity between tribes. These rituals were instrumental in the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

A 3/4 mile long walking trail takes you on a tour of several points of interest in Pipestone National Monument. One of the points showcases Winnewissa Falls, a picturesque feature of the site. Nearby prairie lands offer a look into how the area looked hundreds of years ago.

Modern craftsmen hone their pipe-making skills in the time-honored traditions of their people by mining stone from this site. In fact, only Native Americans can quarry stone from here. Don't miss the live demos from May to October. Native American artisans highlight the skills it takes to make pipe bowls out of the red rock.

Historians believe Native Americans quarried stone here for hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans. No one single tribe laid claim to this area because it was shared by all. Today, the site is an important part of history and a monument to the craft of pipe-making.