Effigy Mounds National Monument

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Bear Effigy Mounds with visitor walking nearby.
Marching Bear Mound Group in summer.
Scenic view of the steep bluffs adjacent to the Mississippi River as trees start to change color.
Scenic overlook from the popular Fire Point Trail overlooking the Mississippi River and Driftless area bluffs.
Three conical mounds in a foggy morning setting.
Three Conical mounds along the Fire Point Trail during a foggy morning.
Circular mounds in a single line.
Follow a line of conical mounds that will lead you out to Fire Point which overlooks the Mississippi River.
View from the air of a mound covered in short green vegetation with forest behind.
A bear mound visible along the park's North Unit trail.
Photos: National Park Service

About Effigy Mounds National Monument

The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds and the people who built them. The 200 plus American Indian mounds are located in one of the most picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Quick Facts

State Iowa
Designation National Monument
State Code IA
Weather All four seasons are represented in this area with summer temperature in the upper 80’s with higher heat indexes due to humidity and winter daytime highs in the 20's. Temperatures…

Location & Map

Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in Iowa.

Operating Hours

Park trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset
Monday Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset
Friday Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday Sunrise to Sunset

Activities

Guided Tours Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Located 3 miles north of Marquette, Iowa on Hwy 76.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 151 Hwy 76, Harpers Ferry, IA, 52146
Phone 5638733491
Email efmo_interpretation@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Archeology Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Native American Heritage Animals Birds Fire Forests and Woodlands Deciduous Forests Geology Grasslands Prairies Scenic Views Wetlands

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center

The visitor center is open year-round except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day; during extreme weather conditions; and as indicated below. Because visitor…

Hours: The visitor center is open year-round except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and during extreme weather conditions.

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