On our return trip we went a little out of our way to visit Pipestone National Monument in very southwestern Minnesota. This National Park Service location protects ancient stone quarries that have been used for centuries. The short story is that Indigenous people from across the country have been visiting and quarrying a unique stone from these quarries to make special smoking pipes that are an important part of their traditions and beliefs. This national monument protects these quarries and issues permits to tribal nations so that they may keep quarrying traditions alive.
These pictures do not show active sites as they are protected from visitors. There is a nice 3/4 mile paved path that shows the natural landscape and some history.
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| Exhibit hole to show rock layers |
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| Old quarry with rubble falling back in |
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| Waterfall on trail |
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| 1838 chiseling by explorers |
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