Minnesota is filled to the brim with fun activities. Boaters, fishermen, and outdoor adventurers are at home here, as are those who prefer visiting museums, seeing live music, and watching theatrical performances. These activities are always fun, but why not combine the best of both worlds? There’s an incredible park in Minnesota that’s full of ancient petroglyphs. Visiting will get you outside while still exposing you to Minnesota’s ancient history and culture. Take a look:
Jeffers Petroglyphs is a historic site run by the Minnesota Historical Society. It’s located in southwestern Minnesota at 27160 Co. Rd. 2, Comfrey, MN 56019.
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The park is located on a section of Minnesota’s small but beautiful prairie. In warm months, wildflowers in bloom make it even more beautiful.
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After you park the car, you’ll follow a dirt trail that passes between huge swaths of waving grass.
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It all leads to Red Rock Ridge, a 23-mile stretch of Sioux quartzite. This ancient outcrop has been here far longer than any people.
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The outcrop is also riddled with ancient petroglyphs. About 5,000 rock carvings decorate the Sioux quartzite.
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The carvings are thousands of years old and were created by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Other markings, such as old wagon ruts, tell the story of Europeans settlers’ westward expansion across the United States.
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The sacred carvings depict symbols thought to be sacred to those who created them. They are still considered sacred today.
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Symbols such as turtles and thunderbirds held meaning to the tribes that carved them thousands of years ago.
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This little-known park is full of history. Visit to connect with the people who lived in Minnesota so long ago.
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Have you visited Jeffers Petrogylphs? To learn more about this incredible park, visit the Minnesota Historical Society website.
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