National Monument

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument is a National Monument in Minnesota. The NPS currently lists 3 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Minnesota National Monument No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Purple and yellow wildflowers in a field of tall grass — Tallgrass Prairie · Photo: NPS Photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/pipe

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

3 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 1 caution and 2 information.

Caution

Possible Bridge Closure

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.

Posted or updated May 21, 2025 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

Prescribed Burn on Monday, May 11

The prescribed burn for May 11 has concluded and the Circle Trail is now open to visitors.

Posted or updated May 11, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

Holiday Hours

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).

Posted or updated Nov 14, 2024 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Cultural Demonstrations

From April through October, visitors can learn from cultural demonstrators.

0-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Cultural Demonstrations

Exhibits & Film

Exhibits and a 22-minute film provide visitors with an understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.

45-90 Minutes Year-round

Museum Exhibits

Hike the Circle Trail

The Circle Trail is a 3/4-mile long paved path. It cuts through a Tallgrass Prairie, along a creek with the endangered Topeka Shiner, in front of a waterfall, and past ancient quarries still used by Native Americans today.

20-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

See all 7 things to do in Pipestone →

Activities the NPS lists for Pipestone.

Arts and CultureCraft DemonstrationsCultural DemonstrationsFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingJunior Ranger ProgramSnowshoeingWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingGift Shop and Souvenirs

Operating hours

The grounds are open 24 hours a day year-round so that visitors may walk the 3/4-mile Circle Trail at any time.

Park Grounds
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: 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.

Contact and directions

Phone: 5078255464 ext. 214
Email: [email protected]
Address: 36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164
Coordinates: 44.0135, -96.3248· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Visitor Center	Daily: 8:30AM - 4:30PM	507-825-5464 ext. 214	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in Minnesota

Grand Portage National Monument Mississippi National River & Recreation Area North Country National Scenic Trail Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Voyageurs National Park All in Minnesota

Nearest other NPS sites

Missouri National Recreational River SD, NE
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area MN
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, WA, WV
Niobrara National Scenic River NE
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway WI, MN
Homestead National Historical Park NE

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/pipe/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.