Effigy Mounds National Monument
National Monument · Iowa

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Photo: Seiadoon · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Effigy Mounds protects more than 200 mounds built by American Indian peoples, including rare mounds shaped like bears and birds. Wooded trails climb bluffs above the Upper Mississippi River to overlooks such as Fire Point, passing mound groups along the way. The mounds are sacred to 20 associated tribes, so stay on trails and never walk on them.

Good to know

Tickets
Free to visit, with no entry fee.
Time needed
2 to 4 hours for the visitor center and a bluff-top hike.
Best time
May to October; early to mid-October is best for fall color.
Getting there
Harpers Ferry and Marquette are close by. La Crosse Regional Airport in Wisconsin is about 1 hour away by car.

Where to stay nearby

Gateway towns with hotels and food, close to the park entrances:
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
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Effigy Mounds National Monument questions

What is the best hike at Effigy Mounds?

The trail to Fire Point and Eagle Rock is the most popular, about 2 miles round trip with a steep start and big Mississippi River views.

Why were the effigy mounds built?

They were built roughly 800 to 1,400 years ago for burials and ceremonies. Their full meaning is sacred to the associated tribes.

Can you see the bear mounds?

Yes. The Marching Bear Group is in the South Unit, reached by a longer hike of about 4 miles round trip.

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