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.

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

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

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

Marching Bear in Spring

Bear Effigy Mounds with visitor walking nearby.

Marching Bear Mound Group in summer.

Scenic Overlook at Fire Point

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.

Mounds on a Foggy Morning

Three conical mounds in a foggy morning setting.

Three Conical mounds along the Fire Point Trail during a foggy morning.

Conical Mounds Leading to Fire Point

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.

Bear Mound

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.