NPS Photo
Yellow River Bridge Accessible Boardwalk Trail
The Monument is located in rural northeast Iowa, close to the towns of Marquette and McGregor, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. All three nearby towns offer a number of interesting places to visit, goods and services - with Prairie du Chien (by far) the largest.
Touring the monument is primarily self-guided on foot only along extended and relatively steep hiking trails. However, there are accessible trails, including trails to American Indian Mounds, close to the visitor center.
Rules and regulations
A selection of parks rules and regulations is below. The complete rules and regulations of Effigy Mounds National Monument are contained in two documents:
Federal regulations covering all National Park Service lands are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 36, Chapter 1.
In addition, regulations pertaining specifically to Effigy Mounds National Monument contained in the Superintendent's Compendium.
Violators are brought before the U.S. District Courts and are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
Alcohol
Possession and or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, unless possession and or consumption is permitted in association with a special use permit. Possession of unopened alcoholic beverages in the Sny Magill public access corridor is permitted.
Collecting
All natural, cultural, and archeological resources are protected and may not be removed or disturbed.
*Small amounts of berries, seeds and nuts may be gathered for immediate personal consumption within the park, but nothing can be removed from the park.
Relic hunting is prohibited. Possession of a metal detector in the park is unlawful.
Firearms and other weapons
Legislation: As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws to legally possess firearms in this park.
Park User Responsibility: It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearm laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please see the Iowa Code, Chapter 724. Please note that Iowa does not recognize any other state's concealed weapons permit.
Weapons Prohibited in Federal Facilities: Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Refer to 18 U.S.C. § 930.
Lost and found
Property may not be left unattended longer than 24 hours. Found property must be turned in to the Visitor Center or nearest park ranger.
Pets
Pets are allowed in the park, but must be physically restrained at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets, except service dogs (such as seeing-eye dogs), are prohibited in buildings and may not be tied to objects and left unattended.
Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in the nearest trash receptacle. If there is not a trash receptacle in the area, the excrement shall be removed from the park.
Trash and littering
Littering or other dumping of refuse is prohibited. Use of park dumpsters for discarding household trash is prohibited.
Recreational activities
The park is open during daylight hours. Daylight hours is defined as one half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The superintendent makes exceptions to these limits for evening programs, approved special use permits or approval on an individual basis. The superintendent reserves the right to close the park or portions thereof, for resource management purposes, public holidays, national security or emergency situations.
Any public activity, such as standing, sitting or walking on the mounds is prohibited.
All mound groups, rock shelters and historical sites, located in the North, South and Heritage Addition units that are not on established public trails, are closed to public access unless permitted in writing by the superintendent or their designee.
No Camping Available Within the Monument:
Please visit the chamber of commerce and county links below to locate numerous camping resources nearby the monument.
Picnicking
Picnicking is permitted only in designated picnic areas. These areas are: the lawns surrounding the Visitor Center and the boat dock / parking area of the Sny Magill Unit public access area.
Fires
The use of stoves, charcoal or gas grills or other cooking devices is prohibited within the park, unless permitted in accordance with the terms of a special use permit.
Skating, skateboards, and similar devices
Use of these devices is prohibited. Bicycles of all types are not permitted in the park beyond the visitor center parking area, or the Sny Magill Public access corridor. Segway® Personal Transporters (or similar such device) are not permitted in the park beyond the visitor center parking area, or the Sny Magill Public access corridor, unless the Segway® Personal Transporter is being used by persons with disabilities in designated handicapped accessible locations where persons with disabilities currently use personal mechanized modes of conveyance.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings. Smoking on trails and other outside areas of the park may be prohibited during periods of high fire danger.
Wildlife
Hunting, trapping, touching, feeding, teasing, or otherwise disturbing wildlife or fish is prohibited.
* Legally obtained wildlife that is within the limits of federal and state laws may be transported through the Sny Magill Unit public access corridor.
Horses and pack animals
Horses and pack animals are permitted in the visitor center parking lot and the Sny Magill Unit public access corridor. Unless being used for resource management purposes, horses and pack animals are prohibited from all other park areas.
Miscellaneous
A bike rack is available near the front door of the visitor center.
High impact recreational activity is limited at the Monument due to the sacred nature of the site.
Ranger led hikes and other activities are optional and available intermittently throughout the year; during the summer ranger hikes leave daily from the visitor center at 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM.
