Minnesota Pipestone National Monument map and highlights

Pipestone National  Monument  in southwestern Minnesota. Basic information for visitors to  the Pipestone National Monument  In southwestern Minnesota, near  Pipestone.    

Pipestone National Monument  In southwestern Minnesota, near Pipestone.    

For centuries Native Americans obtained stone from these lands  to make pipes for ceremonial and social uses, and today the 282-acre  site preserves the noted Pipestone Quarries in their natural prairie  setting. The Native American crafts center has locally made items on  display and for sale. About 160 acres of the area are bluestem prairie,  an important remnant of the once-abundant grasslands typical of the  plains. The monument was established in 1937.    

WHAT TO SEE & DO    

Buying Native American crafts, hiking through prairie and  quarries, picnicking, taking self-guided tour, touring museum, watching  pipe-making and crafts demonstrations. Facilities: Visitor center,  cultural center, interpretive exhibits, museum, movies, hiking trail.  Picnic tables with fire grills. Programs & Events: Pipe-making,  craft, and cultural demonstrations (Apr.-Oct.), ranger-led trail walks  (June-Aug.), videos of craftwork and quarrying (Nov.-Mar.). Founders Day  (Aug. 25). Tips & Hints: Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Dec.  and Jan.    

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES    

Camping: None at site. In Pipestone: Pipestone Campground (919  N. Hiawatha Ave., tel. 507/825-2455; 89 sites; $16-$28; flush toilets,  showers, hook-ups; closed Nov.-mid-Apr). Hotel: None in park. In  Pipestone: Historic Calumet Inn (104 W. Main St., tel. 507/825-5871 or  800/535-7610; 41 rooms; $80). X Restaurant: None in park. In Pipestone:  Historic Calumet Restaurant (104 W. Main St., tel. 507/825-5871; $6-$9;  no dinner Sun.).  Groceries & Gear: None in park. In Pipestone:  Jubas Super Value (220 2nd Ave. NE, tel. 507/825-4201), M & M  Distributing (120 2nd St. NW, tel. 507/825-4133).    

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS    

Entrance fee: $3 per person, $5 per family. No hunting or  fishing. Leashed pets only on trail. No bikes, skateboards, or in-line  skates on trail. Park and trail open daily. Visitor center open Memorial  Day-Labor Day, Mon.-Thurs. 8-6, Fri.-Sun. 8-8; Labor Day-Memorial Day,  daily 8-5.    

HOW TO GET THERE    

On the northern edge of Pipestone via U.S. 75 or Rtes. 23 or 30. Closest airport: Sioux Falls, SD (45 mi).    

CONTACTS    

Pipestone National Monument (36 Reservation Ave., Pipestone, MN  56164, tel. 507/825-5464, fax 507/825-5466,. Pipestone Area Chamber of  Commerce (Box 8, Pipestone, MN 56164, tel. 507/825-3316 or 800/336-6125,  fax 507/825-3317,).   

Pipestone National Monument  In southwestern Minnesota. Basic  information for visitors to the Pipestone National Monument  In  southwestern Minnesota, near Pipestone