Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site, east of Jeffers and north of Windom, in southwestern Minnesota, is a small park operated by the Minnesota Historical Society to preserve a large collection of petroglyphs, and a surrounding patch of native and restored prairie.

The outcropping of rock in which the petroglyphs were carved, Sioux quartzite, is part of a 23-mile long ridge in southwestern Minnesota, part of a quartzite deposit that is also featured at Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Based on surrounding archaeological evidence, it is believed that some of the petroglyphs date back as much as 5,000 years. Petroglyphs represent hunts, buffalo, thunderbirds and turtles. More recent carvings include names of earlier European pioneers and more recent vandalism. Fossilized sand ripples and mud flats reveal the stone's origin.

The park includes 1.2 miles of trails through prairie grasses. Signs and a small visitor center provide more information about the petroglyphs, the prairie, and the Native and European settlers.

Mark Wasson, http://www.markwasson.com > Trips has detailed summaries of my trips