Glittering pink quartzite 50 stories high split by a babbling creek is an unexpected sight in the vast plains of South Dakota. Despite being the second smallest state park in the state, Palisades attracts hikers, fishers, paddlers, campers, and rock climbers. It is known as one of the best places to rock climb in the world because it has no anchors or bolting. A geologist’s paradise, Palisades contains catlinite, or pipestone. This mineral is used by local Indigenous groups to make calmuets, ornately-decorated tobacco pipes used in traditional ceremonies. There…
