Sacred Space

The mounds preserved here are considered ceremonial and sacred sites by many Americans, especially the Monument's 12 affiliated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds, the peoples who built them and the relationships to their modern descendants. The 2,526 acre Monument includes 206 American Indian mounds situated in a natural setting, and located within the one of the most picturesque sections within Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area and along the "Great River Road" of the Mississippi River - a National Scenic Byway.

School Field Trip Visits

Thousands of school students visit the Monument annually to participate in our educational programs - either curriculum based, or simply to have a stimulating out of the classroom experience. Subject to staffing availability, we accommodate program requests on a reservation basis or by offering resources that facilitate teacher-led self guided class visits. To learn more about these opportunities, visit our “For Teachers” section. 

Special Public Events and Programs

Join us throughout the year during our large scale public educational events or special topic ranger-led programs. Bird walks, living history "Moonlight Hikes", American Indian cultural and archeology demonstrations are presented annually along with our largest attended event - HawkWatch Weekend.

>100th Anniversary of the
National Park Movement in Iowa
>  2010 Program & Events Calendar
> Schedule of Events Web Page
> Teachers Workshop Series 2010
> Annual HawkWatch Weekend Page
> For Kids!

Exploring the Monument

Visitor Center:

Open all year except - Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1  and extreme weather emergencies

Hours: 

Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Weekends, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Summer Hours:

June to Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. * Call for specific June date at 563.873.3491 

Park Grounds: 

Open daily, 365 days / year, sunrise to sunset (weather permitting). Access is offered (only) via 14 miles of hiking trails.

There are numerous opportunities for you to enjoy a self-guided tour or join a ranger for a hike, walk, talk or historic demonstration. Most trails are moderately strenuous, however, there are some trails accessible to mobility impaired visitors.

Daily ranger-led hikes to Fire Point are conducted during the summer (which is normally indicated by the summer solstice when the Sun is usually at its greatest declination on June 20 or 21, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere). Please check the "Plan Your Visit" link for specific dates and times.

Discover the artistic and lasting imprint of an ancient culture, the ingenuity of ancient American Indian tools and implements, and share the stories of the past and present. Hiking trails lead to original American Indian mounds, and a variety of habitats - including upland forest, 81.5 acres of prairie, wetland and riparian.