“Once home to several thousand Native Americans”
Home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., this 54-acre site protects six earthen mounds, a plaza, village site, borrow pits and defensive ditch. Etowah Mounds is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast. Artifacts in the museum show how natives of this political and religious center decorated themselves with shell beads, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments. Hand-carved stone effigies weighing 125 pounds still bear some original pigments. Objects made of wood, seashells and stone are also displayed. Visitors can follow a nature trail along the Etowah River where they can view a v-shaped fish trap used for catching fish. The trail also highlights how early civilizations used native trees for food and medicine. While only nine percent of this site has been excavated, examination at Mound C and surrounding artifacts revealed much about the people who lived here. They were a society rich in ritual. Towering over the community, the 63-foot earthen knoll was likely used as a platform for the home of the priest-chief. In another mound, nobility were buried in elaborate costumes accompanied by items they would need in their after-lives.
We went here last June 2014. Good thing that we went here on Saturday because they are close on Sundays. The admission fee is reasonable. Adults- $6 and for children ages 6+ - $4. The place is awesome and very beautiful. The ambiance of the place will make you feel like you were back in time. There are lovely trails, bench swings and when you sit on it you'll see a great view of the Etowah River. The park rangers are friendly. There's also a gift shop at the area where they sell beautiful Indian artworks, crafts, and jewelries. I would like to return here someday.
We visited here with very limited time. They close at 5 and want you back from the trails by 4:30. We arrived at 3:50. We got as much wandering in as we could, but were very disappointed that we arrived so late. I could have easily made a full day out of it. Bring a picnic lunch and plan for a leisurely tour. It’s an awesome site with intriguing history and artifacts. There’s a diorama of the former society and how they lived. A movie in the theater explains much of the history and origins. Plan to watch it first to make your imagination soar while touring the mounds.
A great place to stretch your legs and learn about Native American tribes.
Be the first to add a review to the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site.
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
Parking
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
The top things to do on an I-95 road trip
- 50 Places
- 41:46
- 1,983 mi
The top things to do on an East Coast road trip
- 32 Places
- 48:54
- 2,584 mi
The top things to do on an I-75 road trip
- 34 Places
- 31:05
- 1,933 mi