NATIONAL MONUMENT
Pipestone National Monument
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.
Photo: J.Borden / NPS
MN
state
15
things to do
6
parks within a day
OVERVIEW
About Pipestone National Monument
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.
WITHIN A DAY'S DRIVE
Pair it with another park
6 in range
NEPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National Recreational River · Nebraska
Missouri National Recreational River
2h 35m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
143 mi
Round trip
5h 9m
Verdict
Long day trip
MNPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National River & Recreation Area · Minnesota
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
3h 28m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
205 mi
Round trip
6h 55m
Verdict
Overnight
IAPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National Historic Trail · Iowa
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
3h 31m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
230 mi
Round trip
7h 2m
Verdict
Overnight
SDPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National Historic Site · South Dakota
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
4h 42m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
324 mi
Round trip
9h 25m
Verdict
Overnight
NEPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National Scenic River · Nebraska
Niobrara National Scenic River
4h 55m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
278 mi
Round trip
9h 49m
Verdict
Overnight
MNPipestone National Monument◆◆this park
National Scenic Riverway · Minnesota
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
4h 55m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
283 mi
Round trip
9h 51m
Verdict
Overnight
Driving times from Pipestone National Monument, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
WHEN TO GO
Hours
Park Grounds
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
THINGS TO DO
Activities
Arts and CultureBirdwatchingCraft DemonstrationsCultural DemonstrationsFoodGift Shop and SouvenirsGuided ToursJunior Ranger ProgramMuseum ExhibitsPark FilmPicnickingSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingShoppingSnowshoeingWildlife Watching
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Getting there
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Pipestone National Monument?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Birdwatching, Craft Demonstrations, Cultural Demonstrations, Food, Gift Shop and Souvenirs.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Pipestone National Monument?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Missouri National Recreational River (2 h 35 min), Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (3 h 28 min), Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (3 h 31 min), Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (4 h 42 min), Niobrara National Scenic River (4 h 55 min), Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (4 h 55 min).