The Cliff And Waterfall At The End Of The Circle Trail In Minnesota Are Truly Something To Marvel Over
By Betsy Rathburn|Published October 22, 2021
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Betsy Rathburn
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Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
We all know that Minnesota is home to the impossibly beautiful Voyageurs National Park. But did you know our state also has not one, but two, national monuments? One is in Grand Portage. The other, which we’d like to discuss today, is in the opposite corner of the state. Southwestern Minnesota is home to the lesser known Pipestone National Monument. When you visit, take a hike along the Circle Trail to find the cliff and waterfall near the end of the path. They’re absolutely beautiful, and make your trek to Minnesota’s southwestern corner more than worth it. Check it out:
Pipestone National Monument is in Pipestone, Minnesota. This small town is in southwestern Minnesota, about 200 miles outside of the Twin Cities. While it is a trek for most Minnesotans, it is an important piece of Minnesota history.
The monument preserves the pipestone quarries used by Native Americans for thousands of years. They are still in use today. Visitors who walk the Circle Trail, a 3/4-mile paved path through the park, have the opportunity to see quarries and more, including the pink quartzite cliffs that rise throughout he park.
As you hike, you'll come across several sets of stairs carved into the cliffs. They lead to lovely viewing areas that highlight significant rock formations on the grounds.
Continue walking for a short time, and you will quickly hear the rush of a waterfall. Winnewissa Falls is not the tallest waterfall in Minnesota, but it is certainly one of the most unique. It tumbles over the quartzite cliffs into a rocky creek below. There's a lovely viewing platform where you can take it all in.
Take some time to enjoy the beauty of this waterfall and the cliff it flows over. It's a stunning sight in the middle of an otherwise flat, dry prairie.
As you continue on the trail, you'll follow along a rock-strewn creek for a short time and eventually end up back where you started again. If you're looking for a beautiful place off the beaten path, consider a trip to this beautiful monument, where you'll see stunning cliffs and a waterfall.
Have you ever been to Pipestone National Monument? Let us know what you thought in the comments! And be sure to tell us about your other favorite Minnesota attractions by nominating them.
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