South Quarry Trail

The South Quarry trail is a short, paved trail that departs from the visitor center and passes several pipestone quarries that are still in use today. Leaving from the right side of the visitor center, the trail first passes an example quarry where you can learn what it takes to mine pipestone. There are examples of the various layers of rock that someone must go through in order to get to the pipestone layer of rock. Pipestone is the rock that is used to create sacred pipes used for prayer, important rites, religious ceremonies, and civil ceremonies. Once you pass the example pit, the trail wanders between some of the 56 quarry pits that are actively being quarried for pipestone today. While you can not enter these quarries, you can hike between them and if someone is working, see what it takes to extract the pipestone. Views of the surrounding prairies can be enjoyed from the trail. The trail ends at at the park road, where you can turn around and work your way back to the visitor center and the Circle Trail if you want to explore more of the landscape that makes up the national monument.