{"id":"nps-pipe","slug":"pipestone-national-monument","name":"Pipestone National Monument","designation":"National Monument","category":"national-monument","categoryLabel":"National Monument","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"PIPE","designation":"National Monument","sourceId":"nps-pipe"}],"states":["MN"],"stateNames":["Minnesota"],"location":{"lat":44.01351958,"lon":-96.32475523},"bbox":[-96.3318,44.0087,-96.3177,44.0197],"acres":{"value":299,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/pipe/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=44.0197&b_tl_lng=-96.3318&b_br_lat=44.0087&b_br_lng=-96.3177","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Pipestone%20National%20Monument","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/pipe/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DB66D53C-D79D-7BA0-81031844356E459F.jpg","title":"Tallgrass Prairie","alt":"Purple and yellow wildflowers in a field of tall grass","caption":"The tallgrass prairie is an explosion of color spring through fall","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DA3FB8BE-E6ED-14AC-0D31ABF5E44A43F8.jpg","title":"Sioux Quartzite Cliffs","alt":"Pink wall of rock next to path and grass","caption":"The outcroppings along the trail are a surprise to many visitors expecting a flat prairie","credit":"J.Borden","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DB42C218-AB6C-3517-90DFFD8BE2C5D54B.jpg","title":"Snowshoeing the Circle Trail","alt":"A couple outside in snowshoes smiling at the camera","caption":"Snowshoeing is available for free after January 1st","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D9AE8E6C-E1CB-DB3C-A26EB7D30D558178.jpg","title":"Pulling Pipestone","alt":"A sheet of stone being taken off a thick slab of stone in a quarry pit","caption":"It can take months or even years to reach the pipestone layer in a quarry pit.","credit":"J.Borden","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DA09FE57-B2F3-87A9-6562F73AE569EA9C.jpg","title":"Jr. Ranger Camp Programs","alt":"A woman standing next to a little girl helping her make a clay pot","caption":"Kids have opportunities throughout the summer for hands-on activities","credit":"C.McCright","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DA20D96B-C8DD-AFE6-6E95233B1408E45B.jpg","title":"Breaking Through","alt":"A man in a quarry pit swings a hammer as a woman watches","caption":"Quarriers must break through over 6 feet of quartzite to reach the pipestone layer","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DA0EF444-013D-BEAC-446C863EEEE3719A.jpg","title":"Learning to Carve Pipestone","alt":"A man watches over a woman as she saws a piece of stone","caption":"Travis Erickson teaches new carver, Jessica Arkeketa, how to make a pipe","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DB16AFE8-9377-80FA-8C73E6E48BF84892.jpg","title":"Winnewissa Falls in Winter","alt":"A waterfall partially surrounded by ice","caption":"Winnewissa Falls is a favorite spot for visitors all year long","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DB26F68D-F29E-1447-E66D966CA34BEC61.jpg","title":"Teaching the Next Generation","alt":"A man works with tools in a quarry as kids watch","caption":"Quarrier and carver Francis Eastman teaches Indigenous youth how to quarry","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DC8F92EB-EECB-DFE8-16E051D3FD9B2293.jpg","title":"Aaron Prim Breaking Through Quartzite","alt":"A man in a quarry pit holding a sledge hammer","caption":"Quarrier Aaron Prim working his way through 6 feet of quartzite to reach pipestone","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/DCC5D257-A29E-94A9-DD74A02745008EF1.jpg","title":"Sunrise over Pipestone Creek","alt":"Sun reflecting off of water through a canopy of trees","caption":"The 3/4-mile Circle Trail is open 7 days a week all year for visitors to enjoy","credit":"N.Barber","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Craft Demonstrations","Cultural Demonstrations","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Junior Ranger Program","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Archeology","Explorers and Expeditions","Monuments and Memorials","Native American Heritage","Religion and Spirituality","Schools and Education","Animals","Birds","Tortoises and Turtles","Natural Sounds","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Trails","Waterfalls"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Park Grounds","description":"The grounds are open 24 hours a day year-round so that visitors may walk the 3/4-mile Circle Trail at any time.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"5078255464","email":"pipe_interpretation@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Visitor Center","description":"Admission is free and includes cultural demonstrations, exhibits, a film, and park store.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/pipe/planyourvisit/indooractivities.htm","lat":44.013558,"lon":-96.325693}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"zz-fws-zz","km":50},{"slug":"madison-wetland-management-district","km":74},{"slug":"northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge","km":109},{"slug":"zz-fws-zz","km":121},{"slug":"big-stone-national-wildlife-refuge","km":137},{"slug":"zz-fws-zz","km":144}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=pipe"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.621Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Prescribed Burn on Monday, May 11","text":"The prescribed burn for May 11 has concluded and the Circle Trail is now open to visitors.","url":null,"updated":"2026-05-12 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-3978B3FC-1348-4626-8063-B22D36E6847C"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Possible Bridge Closure","text":"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.","url":null,"updated":"2025-05-21 10:31:12.0","id":"nps-02A48249-DDE3-41AA-8FC1-110BA22A4755"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Holiday Hours","text":"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).","url":null,"updated":"2024-11-14 11:15:27.0","id":"nps-5E55E4E6-23C9-429E-BE19-C4F151DEE6B7"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/pipestone-national-monument/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/pipestone-national-monument.geojson"}