Copyright: National Park Service
Effigy Mounds National Monument
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Description
- The Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves a representative and outstanding example of a significant phase of the prehistoric American Indian moundbuilding culture. Prehistoric mounds are common from the plains of the Midwest to the Atlantic seaboard, but only in this general area were they
constructed as ceremonial moundsin an outline of mammals, birds or reptiles.
The Monument contains 1,481 acres with 200 mounds (29 effigies). The others are conical, linear and compound shapes. Tribes from the Eastern Woodland Indian culture built these mounds from about 500 BC to 1300 AD. Natural features in the monument include forests, tallgrass prairies, wetlands and rivers.
Recreation - There are a number of outdoor activities at this site for visitors interested in native american history. Begin your tour at the Visitor Center, located at the park entrance. It contains a visitor information desk, exhibits highlighting archeological and natural specimens and an auditorium. Rangers give guided hikes and prehistoric tool demonstrations, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Special events fill the calendar throughout the summer and autumn months. Facilities for hiking and walking include eleven miles of hiking trails. There are no developed roads and no camping in the park. Climate - Summers in northeastern Iowa are generally hot and humid. Spring and fall bring mild to moderate temperatures. Winters in the region can be cold and snowy. Location -
Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in eastern Iowa, along the Mississippi River. The park is located three miles north of Marquette, Iowa, with easy access from Highway 18.
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