Overview
Pipestone is a city in southwestern Minnesota. It is the seat of Pipestone County and has a population of 4554.
Pipestone is home to the famous Indian quarry at Pipestone National Monument. Many North American Indian tribes - including Ojibwa, Dakota, Oto, Pawnee, Sac Fox, and Lakota - came to quarry the sacred redstone known as pipestone or catlinite. The soft red pipestone is found under layers of the very hard Sioux quartzite. The pipestone became a valued trade item and was responsible for Pipestone becoming a Crossroads of the Indian World. The Song of Hiawatha Pageant has played at the pipestone quarry lake for nearly 60 years.
8 sights · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pipestone
Split Rock Creek State Park
Fort Pipestone
Indian Crafts, Pipestone Souvenirs, Collectables, Jewelry, and more.
Keepers of the Sacred Tradition
American Indian Art, Pipestone Unique Gifts
Pipestone Indian Shrine Association
Authentic Handmade American Indian Pipestone Pipes.
Pipestone Performing Arts Center
Royal River Casino
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Sioux City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FSD Sioux Falls Regional Airport, Sioux Falls — 36 mi away. Directions
- ATY Watertown Regional Airport, Watertown — 75 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 164 mi away (major hub). Directions
Pipestone is in southwestern Minnesota, at the meeting of Minnesota Highways 23 and 30 and US Route 75. It is 23 miles north of Interstate Highway 90.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Split Rock Creek State Park, Keepers of the Sacred Tradition
- Afternoon Pipestone Performing Arts Center, Pipestone County Museum
Day 2
- Morning Fort Pipestone, Pipestone Indian Shrine Association
- Afternoon Royal River Casino, Pipestone Golf & Country Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Pipestone is in southwestern Minnesota, at the meeting of Minnesota Highways 23 and 30 and US Route 75. It is 23 miles north of Interstate Highway 90.
By plane
Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) is about 50 miles southeast, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Flights from Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
Get around
Place Ludolph Bus Service
See
- Pipestone National Monument - Visitors Center, Pipestone Quarries, Trails, Tallgrass Prairie, Winnewissa Falls
- Blue Mounds State Park
Do
- Walking Tour - Walk the streets of Pipestone and view the unique buildings, building materials, and hues. A self-guided tour can take as little as 30 minutes or can last hours. The variety of architectural styles and details is impressive for such a small city.
See Pipestone Performing Arts Center
See Pipestone County Museum
See Pipestone Golf & Country Club
Buy
- A&S Drugs, 101 Main Street West, +1 507 825-3100. (Prescriptions, Sundries, Gifts, Photo Developing)
- Geyerman's Clothing Co, 201 Main St W, 825-4655. (Women's Clothing)
- Liberty Pawn, Coins & Antiques, 224 Main St W, 825-4404.
- So-Jo's Sportswear & Embroidery, 107 W Main St, 825-2906. (Personalized Caps, Jackets, & More)
- The Clothier By Dawn, 110 Main St E, 825-2916. (Women's Clothing)
Eat
- Dar's Pizza, 607-8th Ave SW, +1 507-825-4261.
- Dari King, Hwy 30 W & 5th Ave SW.
- Dairy Queen, Hwy 23 & 75.
- Pizza Ranch, West Main St.
Drink
- American Legion Hall, 117 Hiawatha Ave S, +1 507-825-3211.
Sleep
Hotels and Motels
Stay Arrow Motel
Camping and RVs
Stay Pipestone RV Campground
Nearby
Pipestone National Monument
Park · 1 listings · 1 mi away
Blue Mounds State Park
Park · 21 mi away
Luverne
City / town · 21 listings · 24 mi away
Brookings
City / town · 9 listings · 31 mi away
Sioux Falls
City / town · 81 listings · 38 mi away
Madison
City / town · 15 listings · 40 mi away
Marshall
City / town · 5 listings · 40 mi away
Worthington
City / town · 3 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
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