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Effigy Mounds National Monument

»Contact Information
»Getting There
»Weather
»Activities
Prehistoric mounds are common from the plains of the Midwest to the Atlantic seaboard, but only in this general area were they constructed in an effigy outline of mammals, birds, or reptiles. The Monument contains 1,481 acres with 191 mounds of which 29 are effigies. The others are conical, linear and compound. Eastern Woodland Indians built these mounds from about 500 BC to 1300 AD. Natural features in the monument include forests, tallgrass prairies, wetlands and rivers. The Visitor Center, located at the park entrance, contains an information desk, museum exhibits highlighting archaeological and natural specimens, an auditorium and book sales outlet.
The park has eleven miles of hiking trails. No roads exist in the park. Rangers give guided hikes and prehistoric tool demonstrations, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Educational programs are presented on and off-site by appointment. There are no lodging or camping facilities in the park. Nearest camping is at Pikes Peak State Park and Yellow River State Forest in Iowa and Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin. Various primitive campgrounds exist in the area as well.


Contact Information

151 HWY 76
Harpers Ferry, IA 52146-7519
563-873-3491 - Visitor Information


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Getting There

By Plane
Regional airports in La Crosse (70 miles) and Madison (120 miles), WI; and Dubuque (70 miles) and Cedar Rapids (120 miles), IA

By Car
Three miles north of Marquette, IA or seventeen miles south of Waukon, IA on state highway 76. Also six miles across Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien, WI

By Plane
none

Weather

Our summers are generally hot and humid, spring and autumn are mild with moderate temperatures, winters can be cold and snowy.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
thebackpacker.com If you want more information about backpacking and hiking, give thebackpacker.com a try. From backpacking gear reviews, hiking trail reviews and much more, it covers all aspects of wilderness travel.
  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks
  • Stargazing
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Recommended Activities
A popular walk for all ages is the Fire Point Trail. This moderately strenous trail covers two miles. It provides scenic overlooks atop 300 foot bluffs and passes 19 ceremonial and burial mounds.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.