To schedule a field trip please call (478) 752-8257 ext. 222 between 9:00 am-5:00 pm daily. We ask that you call at least one month in advance for individual school groups and 3 months in advance for multiple group bookings. Availability for field trips is based on staff, special events, and weather. Even if you do not require a Ranger-led program when you visit we still require a reservation so we can properly manage the number of students in the building at one time. For Student Safety: Teachers and chaperones are to remain with their students for the duration of the visit.
Please have the following information ready when you call to schedule a visit:
Please have the following information ready when you call to schedule a visit:
- Teacher Contact (name, phone number, email)
- Date of Visit (please have multiple options)
- Number of Students and Grade Level
- Estimated Arrival and Departure Time
- Requested Activities (See below)
School Visits typically last 2 to 3 hours. Please let us know if there are particular learning objectives you would like us to cover. If your school comes in a standard school bus you cannot drive to the mounds due to the historic railroad tunnel that has a 8-foot clearance. The buses will park at the far side of the parking lot, in the one-way loop by the picnic area.
Inside the Visitor Center:
Inside the Visitor Center:
Orientation: The Park Ranger can give a 20-minute orientation to the school group with the information adjusted to the grade level.
Film: Our 17-minute film talks about the history of the park. It is recommended for 2nd grade and up. The film only fits 50 people at a time, so larger groups will have to split up and do rotations with the activities.
Museum: While inside the Visitor Center doing the orientation and film, our park rangers on staff will let you know when you can walk around the exhibits with your students. The museum holds 2,000 original objects from the site dating back from 12,000 BCE through the 1800s.
Film: Our 17-minute film talks about the history of the park. It is recommended for 2nd grade and up. The film only fits 50 people at a time, so larger groups will have to split up and do rotations with the activities.
Museum: While inside the Visitor Center doing the orientation and film, our park rangers on staff will let you know when you can walk around the exhibits with your students. The museum holds 2,000 original objects from the site dating back from 12,000 BCE through the 1800s.
Outside the Visitor Center:
Due to our small Interpretation and Education staff, all outside activities will be led entirely by teachers and chaperones. Information about the sites are included in the teacher's self-guided walking tour pdf at the bottom of this page and can also be found on signs along the trails.
Earth Lodge: Even if you can't spend a lot of time at the park, going inside the Earth Lodge will give your students a good idea of the architecture used during the Mississippian time period. The Earth Lodge was the ceremonial council chamber. The 1,000-year-old clay floor is surrounded by a replica wattle and daub structure. It is a five-minute walk up a hill from the Visitor Center and is not wheelchair-accessible. Only 10 students can fit inside at a time.
Trails: We have eight miles of trails but most groups stick to the one-mile round-trip path to the Great Temple Mound. This trail goes by the Earth Lodge, over the railroad cut, and past the site of the 1690 Trading Post. The Great Temple Mound is a five-story structure and the top is accessible by stairs. From the top you can see the Funeral Mound and downtown Macon.
Picnic: We have outdoor picnic tables across the parking lot from the Visitor Center. The area is on a first-come, first-serve basis and can seat between 50 and 75 people. The picnic area is not covered and there is no indoor space for picnics, so in inclement weather you will have to eat on the buses or return to school.
Clay for sale: We do sell 25-pound bags of clay that you are welcome to purchase for $20.00 (any form of payment is acceptable; if you purchase it tax exempt we must have a letter with the school's tax ID number) and we include a pottery guide. Clay must be taken back to school. We do not have the space or staff to allow you to make pottery here. One 25-pound bag will make pots for 25 students. If you would like to purchase clay, please let us know in advance.
To explore the park on your own, we have a teacher walking guide available for you here:
Teacher's self guided walking tour
Earth Lodge: Even if you can't spend a lot of time at the park, going inside the Earth Lodge will give your students a good idea of the architecture used during the Mississippian time period. The Earth Lodge was the ceremonial council chamber. The 1,000-year-old clay floor is surrounded by a replica wattle and daub structure. It is a five-minute walk up a hill from the Visitor Center and is not wheelchair-accessible. Only 10 students can fit inside at a time.
Trails: We have eight miles of trails but most groups stick to the one-mile round-trip path to the Great Temple Mound. This trail goes by the Earth Lodge, over the railroad cut, and past the site of the 1690 Trading Post. The Great Temple Mound is a five-story structure and the top is accessible by stairs. From the top you can see the Funeral Mound and downtown Macon.
Picnic: We have outdoor picnic tables across the parking lot from the Visitor Center. The area is on a first-come, first-serve basis and can seat between 50 and 75 people. The picnic area is not covered and there is no indoor space for picnics, so in inclement weather you will have to eat on the buses or return to school.
Clay for sale: We do sell 25-pound bags of clay that you are welcome to purchase for $20.00 (any form of payment is acceptable; if you purchase it tax exempt we must have a letter with the school's tax ID number) and we include a pottery guide. Clay must be taken back to school. We do not have the space or staff to allow you to make pottery here. One 25-pound bag will make pots for 25 students. If you would like to purchase clay, please let us know in advance.
To explore the park on your own, we have a teacher walking guide available for you here:
Last updated: June 27, 2023