News Release

2018 First Day Hike

Date: December 14, 2017
Contact: Cody Goraczkowski, 507-825-5464 Ext. 214

Pipestone National Monument News Release

For Immediate Release: 12/14/2017 and 12/28/17

Contact: Cody Goraczkowski Phone: [phone] Ext. 214 Email: e-mail us

First Day Hike at Pipestone National Monument on January 1, 2018

Start the year off with a healthy and educational walk in the outdoors. On January 1, 2018, a Pipestone National Monument Park Ranger will guide visitors around the historic Circle Trail, Winnewissa Falls, quartzite cliffs, and the pipestone quarries near the town of Pipestone.

For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to American Indians because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue at the site.

To participate in the First Day Hike, meet at the parking lot in front of the Pipestone National Monument visitor center at 10 a.m. on January 1. No reservations are required. Wear shoes and clothing appropriate for walking on a winter morning. Be prepared for slippery and uneven walking conditions. Bring drinking water. The hike will last approximately one hour. Bathrooms are available in the visitor center. There is no fee to participate. For more information on Pipestone National Monument, visit www.nps.gov/pipe/index.htm.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to get people outdoors, with 100’s of hikes scheduled this year in all 50 states. First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year outdoors by taking a healthy hike at a state park or National Park site. For more information on First Day Hikes, visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/firstdayhike.html.

To learn more about the National Park Services and Pipestone National Monument, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/pipe or to learn more about the fee-free weekends in national parks around the country, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm Contact the Park Ranger at 507-825-5464 ext. 214 or email at e-mail us

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 413 parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.