Minnesota may have been founded less than 200 years ago, but the state’s history dates much further back. For thousands of years, America’s first inhabitants made homes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, hunting its land and making use of its many natural resources. Reminders of Minnesota’s earliest inhabitants are all over the state. One of the most fascinating is at Pipestone National Monument. This little known ancient ruin should be added to the top of your bucket list. Here’s why:

Pipestone National Monument is a little-known place in southwestern Minnesota. Because of its remote location, it is one of Minnesota's least visited spots.
Erin/Flickr
But given its location on the beautiful western Minnesota prairie - and its immeasurably long history - it is well worth visiting. You'll find it at 36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164.
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A series of beautiful trails lead visitors through the park. Paths will lead you alongside towering pink quartzite cliffs.
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There are many interesting rock formations along the way. Signs will point the way to them, and an informational brochure will give more information about their history.
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As for the history of this place, the quartzite has been used by generations of Native Americans.
Tony Webster/Flickr

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You can even see the quarries from which they gathered stone...
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
...as well as the rock piles they produced. Some are still used today.
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All of this stone was - and still is - carved to create pipes, hence the name "pipestone." The pipes are used for prayer.
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The visitor's center has plenty of information about the ruins, including examples of tools used to quarry the stone.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
All in all, this is a fascinating monument to Minnesota's early human history. The monument is still considered sacred by many people today.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
Visit Pipestone National Monument for an interesting tour through history - and for a gorgeous natural landscape unlike anything else in Minnesota.
tinyfroglet/Flickr

Looking for more ancient ruins? Check out our list of 7 trails in Minnesota that will take you to extraordinary ancient ruins.

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36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164