Inkpaduta Campsite

Where Abby Gardner remembered Inkpaduta and his band camping.

J. Borden

Quick Facts

Location:

Along the short path connecting the South Quarry Trail and the Circle Trail

Significance:

Where Inkpaduta and his band camped as they passed through after the Spirit Lake Massacre

Amenities

1 listed

Wheelchair Accessible

After the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre in Iowa, Dakota leader Inkpaduta camped with his band and their captives on this prairie – as did at least one force of pursuing troops. One of the survivors, Abigail Gardner, revisited the site in 1892 and pointed out the campsite, which was on the grassy flat area in front of you. Typically, people did not camp on this prairie because it is considered a neutral, sacred ground. They generally camped on higher ground and entered the actual quarry area for the  purpose of obtaining pipestone.