Place

Winnewissa Falls

A waterfall surrounded by pink rocks and fall foliage.
Winnewissa Falls in the autumn. Every season provides a different view.

N. Barber

Quick Facts
Location:
Located 3/8 of a mile from the Visitor Center. Nearly the halfway point of the trail.
Significance:
A waterfall isn't something most visitors expect in the prairies. First painted in the 1830s, it's a favorite spot for photos today.

Audio Description, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible

Here, the trail crosses Pipestone Creek below Winnewissa Falls. According to one American Indian tradition: 

“The Great Spirit called the warring nations together in the valley of the pipestone. There he pulled a piece of pipestone from the earth, formed a pipe and told them that it was the flesh and blood of their ancestors. He smoked the pipe over them and admonished them to lay down their arms. Here is a place where different tribes can quarry side by side together in harmony. While he was speaking, a waterfall poured from the rock nearby.” -Original storyteller unknown 

**Please do not attempt to go into the water. It is contaminated and unfit for consumption or recreation.**

Pipestone National Monument

Last updated: October 10, 2024