We enjoyed a visit to the largest archaeological site in the U.S. Quick visit advice: Park at the visitor center or across the street at Monk's Mound (if there are any spots in this smaller lot). Walk to and up Monk's Mound, which is the largest. I recommend reading the signs about the history of the mounds. Background: I visited just after finishing a book called "America Before" by Graham Hancock. He extensively covers the geoglyphs (mounds) across the Americas and describes their site-line survey complexity. They are basically dirt mound versions of Stonehenge, and line up with solar events during the equinoxes. The amount of precision from an ancient hunter-gatherer society is absolutely fascinating. I highly recommend a read before visiting. read more

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We were in the area so we had to go check this place out, right? The history along should garner interest. Pulling up, my kids were not amused. "What's with the big hill dad?" Oh kids... I mean it does look like just a big hill but... As a history buff, I thought it was kind of cool. We climbed the stairs to the top (great work out, a couple folks were doing just that) to get a view of the area. Not much at all is built up around this area, the small town that it is located in is barely a blip before you enter the St. Louis metropolitan area. It is actually pretty remarkable how rural this area is being only miles outside of St. Louis. Anyways, I tried to get my kids to understand that the people that built these mounds did not have Bobcats, dump trucks, or any huge equipment. We are talking woven baskets and such. Still not impressed. At least we stood on the top and say we have been there. I suggest you do the same. Check it off the list and say you once stood on one of the tallest pre-Columbian structures in North America. Can't say that every day! read more

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Woah - largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico?! Right here? Cool! Come check it out, get some steps in, breath some fresh air, feel like you connected with a significant site in humanity's history. Hey, it's free! read more

We were driving back to Chicago from St. Louis,so we decided to drive thru this historic site. The weather was not great otherwise we would have walked around to explore. The visitors center tho was also closed do check their website for more information. This is a UNESCO site of a Native American city dating back to 1100 so definitely worth a visit. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

What a trip to the past. Just imagining the area during its habitation is incredible. Trail maps are available at billboard near interpretation center. Mounds are marked and trail is paved. Too bad center is and has been closed for now. Still, an amazing hike. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Trail information - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

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I've never been here before, but my photographer suggested it. I am very happy that she did as it's absolutely beautiful There were so many deer there had to be at least 40 or 50. So many beautiful walking trails signs that go over the history. read more

The museum and interpretive center was closed during our visit so this review speaks more for the mounds and exterior signage. We stopped here after our time in St.Louis. It's only about a 15-20 minute drive east of the city. We were able to find easy parking and during the warmer months, I'd recommend getting here earlier since the full experience is baking in the sun. We followed the trail and many stairs to the top of the mound to learn more about the massive community that once lived here. As others have mentioned, it's a UNESCO world heritage site- there are only so many in the US so go check this one out! My only hope is that they improve some of the signage and educational aspects along the trail. It feels like they could use a refresh. Overall, worth a pit stop to learn more about this community and the deep history of the area. read more

My husband and I came here last week for the first time on our way to St. Louis and we thought it was a must-see. Such a beautiful area with a rich historical background. Native American tribes once inhabited this land, and I think it's awesome that they hold so much significance. I didn't even know that my home state had something like this until my husband and I were researching nature areas on the way to St. Louis. We didn't go into the welcome center/museum, which, in hindsight, I wish we did, but the mounds themselves were beautiful. We first walked around the water areas and the smaller mounds. These were cool to see, but then we saw the Monks Mound across the street, so we had to walk back from the main site so that we could park across the street to the largest mound. We initially tried walking the whole way, but there was not a sidewalk or walkway that goes from one side of the street to the other and ticks were everywhere so we decided against walking in the taller grass. Monks Mound was AMAZING, and it stands out from far away as being the largest pyramid mound in North America. There are many stairs you need to climb to get to the top, but the views are incredible and totally worth the hard work! You literally climb up 100 feet, and you can see St. Louis's skyline and arch from the top. If you are coming here to "hike," it's pretty much all flat land because you cannot climb any of the mounds except Monks Mound. Essentially, it's like walking through a botanic garden because you loop around all of the smaller mounds and a small pond. Overall, I recommend stopping by for the incredible historical significance. Next time, I would definitely go to the museum, and I recommend doing research before coming so you have an idea of why the mounds are so significant. read more

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Beautiful day to go on top of Cahokia Mound. Sit and quiet and when top. Good day. Id come back again of course read more

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A must stop when you're traveling to the St. Louis area, we loved our Sunday morning visit to Cahokia Mounds and spent a lot of time hiking and wandering and learning about the largest indigenous settlement north of Mexico. Active for hundreds of years inhabited by up to 21,000 people at its peak, many called this six square mile area home and many more visited from the Atlantic Coast and places south, to meet, trade and honor their fallen as evidenced by shells, beads and gifts foreign to the midwest. You can park by Monk's Mound or like us by the temporarily closed guest center. That side by the guest center has a lot of trails and a few mounds worthy of a visit. It's interesting to walk through the flat area that was a bustling market and to picture it as it was. Monks Mound is a must to climb the stairs, and local joggers were using it was a workout. Work it out! Once at the top you'll have incredible views of St. Louis in the distance and Woodhenge. Please keep to the gravel trail to keep wear and tear to a minimum, the top of Monks Mound was home to the high chief or priest, and the French helped the Indigenous build smaller places of worship, and monks planted fruit trees and vegetables in the verdant soil. We really enjoyed our visit! read more

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Cahokia is an incredible historical site with a beautifully maintained welcome center, even during renovations. The large ground representation of the site in front of the welcome center provides an excellent overview of the area. Informative stones at the base of each mound explain their individual significance, with Monks Mound standing out as the largest pyramid mound in North America, developed during the Early Mississippian Period. The Grand Plaza is expansive, sitting on top of 50 square acres. It is adjacent to the twin mounds--one square and one round--which illustrate the mathematical concept of squaring the circle. The double mound burials contain the tribal head or chieftain in the large mound, and his elites are buried in the attached smaller mound to remain close to their leader, even in death. The site features multiple wooden henges, including a main wood henge used as a solstice calendar. The grounds are bordered with pecan nut trees, providing both defense and foraging opportunities. Climbing Monks Mound is an incredible experience. Halfway up, you are greeted with a refreshing breeze and a stunning scenic overlook. Upon reaching the top, the height is breathtaking--100 feet up, equivalent to a 10-story building. A central temple once stood at the top, adding to the site's historical significance. The scenic view from the top of Monks Mound encompasses all the mounds and surrounding areas, symbolizing a meeting place between the heavens above and the chaotic waters below. The ancient astronomical observatory and equinox calendar, in the form of a wooden henge, located one mile from Monks Mound, is worth visiting, though driving is recommended due to the lack of paved sidewalks or paths. Remnants of corn agriculture are visible, adding to the site's historical authenticity. Gravel pathways help navigate the grounds and protect the mounds from foot traffic. The site is meticulously maintained with the help of a robotic mower and a chase vehicle, ensuring the mounds remain beautiful and respectful burial sites. Parking lots at each extended site make it convenient to drive between locations rather than walking. Overall, the manicured grounds and facilities, with their profound historical significance, make Cahokia a must-visit. It is recognized as the first city of Native American origin, featuring the tallest pyramid mound in North America. Long running trails, quaint paths, beautiful open spaces, and a virtual reality guided tour enhance the experience at this hidden treasure. read more

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Unfortunately, the museum was closed when we went. The mound was very cool and well maintained with parking. It's extremely impressive, but also a bit sad a major highway bisects the historic cite that used to be a major city. read more

I stopped in to check out "Woodhenge" having read about it on Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/illinois-woodhenge. Too hot to check out the rest of the mounds, but thinking that this might be an interesting thing to see since I've been to other *Henges here and there. This big field has telephone poles in a big circle which date back to around 1000 AD. Not the poles themselves, understand. The holes that form the circle which line up a couple of times a year with the Sun. The entire henge was built to mark and measure the solstices and equinoxes, based on its orientation in relation to the nearby mound structures. Further analysis of the samples taken from the pits revealed that sacred red cedar posts would have protruded from the holes to mark the passage of the calendar at sunrise and sunset. There is a parking lot here and nearby are the Mounds where you can see more. This is an interesting straight road and there were TWO separate cops along it running radar traps and I managed to rescue a turtle trying to cross so be aware. [Review 19964 overall - 162 in Illinois - 938 of 2023.] read more

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This place is relaxing to visit on a Sunday afternoon. Fresh air on top of the Mount and a great view. You can see the arch from the mount. Going up and down the steps is a great workout. Even our dog, Chloe love walking up and down these steps. This place was not busy when we went here last Sunday. read more

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Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the largest city in the world - larger than London when the two coexisted! There are a number of mounds still remaining, and you can actually climb up Monk's Mound. It's stunning to think about how it was built by hand when you see just how tall it is. It was particularly windy on the day of our visit, and it was actually a little nerve-wracking for those sensitive to heights, to be pushed around so high! You get a really nice view of St. Louis and the Arch from here too. There is signage around the area to tell you more about the history, geography, and more. Unfortunately, the visitors center was still undergoing work at the time of our visit, or we would have loved to see what all they have inside there too. There is parking available in a lot near the visitors center, as well as one across the street near Monk's Mound. A fascinating piece of history. read more

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What an amazing culture to view and appreciate. It's so calming now, but must have had a bustling civilization. Cade, an park employee was very informative. A must see. Dogs are welcome. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Monks Mound - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

Interesting how one of the greatest civilizations before the 1800s was near St. Louis because there isn't a major water source or access to easy trade. Either way, I've been wanting to visit this area for awhile so came on a weekend for a little hike. And the hike is definitely little, you're mostly walking on flat land until you reach the main mound where you can climb up the stairs to the top to look out at the views - you can see the Arch and Downtown St. Louis from there which is pretty cool. I know that there are many mounds as part of the area, but there mainly is just 5-7 that you can really see and identify which I hiked around. The main mound is called Monks Mound and it was the tallest man-made structure in the 1100s according to the website which is pretty cool. After I hiked around the mound, I went through a small forest area next to the property where the path is essentially a loop. There really is no reason to get lost. Pretty interesting and easy hike to do near St. Louis. Can budget 1-2 hours for the hike, the place is not very big. Would recommend researching a bit about the history of the place on the website before coming to enrich your experience. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Views - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

Always a great time. See deer and walk the trails. Climb to the top of the Mound for a great view. When the museum reopens the history of the area is on full display. read more

Cahokia Mounds is a site that you could easily drive by and never stop given that it's not super flashy and they're just mounds of earth. It is however a very interesting site to visit and there's a lot of history here that I hadn't known about before visiting. The site is located in the southern part of Illinois and you can actually see St. Louis from the top of the mounds, which is fun. Entrance is free and there's plenty of parking as well. You can walk along the mound system and there are stairs that you can climb to get to the top of the highest mound. It's an interesting historical site and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys history and exploring. read more

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Amazing to see the mound - largest pre-Columbian establishment in North America. It helps to read info boards, if you are not familiar with the site. I came before sunrise, lots of locals take the hike and work out on the stairs. Visitor center opens at 10am but area is free for roaming. It is so accessible right next to the road and if you are familiar or know the place you can kind of see it off from the interstate highway next to it. read more

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Cahokia was the biggest city in the Americas before 1800's. You can walk around and on the mounds. The tallest mound (Monks mound) gives you a good view of the surrounding area (you can see St. Louis in the distance). There's a few parking lots; we parked across the street from the tallest mound. There are several miles of hiking trails with certain important markers along the way. There are signs throughout that give you insight into the history of the location and there are even augmented reality placards. Besides the mounds there's ruins of a stockade, a place called Woodhenge, and a walk through the woods. The interpretive center was closed when we went; yet with the augmented reality and various signs - we did fine. Spent 3 hours; covered about 3.5 miles to much of it - but can certainly do less. read more

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Cahokia Mounds is a historical site that provides visitors with information about the tribes that once lived in the area. This is a great location for an educational field trip. The steps at Cahokia Mounds are also great for exercising! read more

It's strange how you can visit a place on two different times and get two entirely different experiences from it. That is my experience with Cahokia Mounds. First, having studied Native American/First Nation culture & history, I must say that a visit to Cahokia is an unparalleled thrill. The museum is comprehensive, with an amazing array of artifacts on display. It is well interpreted & curated, leaving a visitor with a flat impression of the cultural significance of this historic site. Likewise, the size, scope and careful preservation of the mounds, Woodhenge and other aspects of the grounds gives greater context to the complexities and advanced life that existed within North American Mound-builder culture. Cohokia, in context, is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As many as 20,000 people lived here at its apex. Those are people with real families who lived & died, loved and were loved. Just as all of us. Stunning, when you think about it. My first visit, prior to the pandemic, with a very special travel companion, and gave me a true sense and feel for the closeness and familial nature of a community that existed and allowed a complex place like Cohokia to even exist. I felt the interpretive nature of the site gifted me a greater closeness to those significant people in my life. My second, more recent visit, was alone. On this occasion, I felt a clear desolation present in the very same spaces we had previously visited at Cohokia, and a loss of that sense of community that I had experienced when we first visited together. It was this feeling of loss on the second visit, due to my companion not being present with me, that brought home to me the tragic significance of a great world culture that has vanished from the face of North America. Cohokia is a must visit. A unique culture existed in North America that rivals the complexity of pyramid builders of North Africa & Central America. It is interpreted well here, and the day to day life of those people and families who lived here is evident. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

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Visit before you die! This is a really great historic site in the middle of cornfield desert IL :))) There is many hiking trail options 6-10 mi. or shorter ones. The info center was closed for renovation. We will definitely come back for this. read more

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One of my favorite places in the metro area. Beautiful views of the city and the surrounding area. Peaceful walk around the premises, up and down the mounds. The stairs to the monks mound are a great workout opportunity. Dog friendly (as long as you clean up) and my pup loves it too. Sometimes there are pretty deer hanging around too. The history of this place is fascinating as well and you can learn about it in the museum/visitor center. I'd recommend bug spray for mosquitoes. read more

This was a very neat place to visit. It is incredible and important to learn about the history here. This was the biggest city in the Americas before 1800's. You can walk around and on the mounds. The tallest mound (Monks mound) gives you a good view of the surrounding area (you can see St. Louis in the far ground. There's a parking lot for Monks mound and the Interpretative Center. The Interpretative Center was free to visit and larger than I expected. There is a lot of information and the staff greeting us was friendly and helpful. If you go to the mounds, I recommend also visiting the Interpretative Center so you can have context and learn a lot more! There's Woodhenge down the road that also has a parking lot and makes an interesting stop. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

Did you know that Cahokia was the largest city in the United States until 1800? Have you even heard of it? Are you familiar with mound cultures, this site being the largest? You likely answered no to these questions. I never heard of mound cultures when I went to school. I had to reach adulthood before stumbling on these cultures at various art museums. We've all probably heard and seen more about the Aztecs, the Maya, and other pre-Columbian cultures. Not many know about the Mississippian people and that's a collective shame because, while not pyramids, the mounds served the same ritualistic purposes. Artisans left behind sophisticated clay and ceramic art, too, but museums in this country display very little of it. The birdman tablet is one small iconic stone artifact that greets visitors when entering the well-appointed galleries. Dating to about 1300, it's a good illustrative introduction to this historic site. Not so good is the the current state of Cahokia. A wide local road bisects the site and Interstate hugs the northern perimeter of this site. While there are leisurely hiking trails connecting it all, the grandeur of Cahokia is long gone and it's best to spend a lot of time in the museum to get a truer sense of this city's importance. read more

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The Cahokia Mounds site is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is simply amazing. HOWEVER - Inadequate funding by the State of Illinois means that they can only afford to be open 4 days a week - Thursday-Sunday. C'mon Lege - fund this amazing place! We are here on Tuesday, and the only reason we got in was because we followed a tour group in, then asked permission to stay. Thankfully, for this family with a budding archaeologist, that permission was granted and we got to explore the museum. 5 amazing UNESCO WH Site stars read more

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This is the place to go to learn about America's oldest city. That's right. For this one, I'm dividing it between the museum/interpretative center and Monk's Mound (the big one across the street). Both get five stars on their own. The museum is free, and you'll get quite an educational history trip with all the lifelike sculptures and dioramas. It is explained how the Native Americans lived during that time, and what they did for survival. There is also the never-ending question of why Cahokia became no longer important as residents migrated to other places. It is also explained how archaeologists from the past 60 years have dug up certain evidence and artifacts found on the site. Short films are also featured at certain times. Be sure to check out the gift shop while there as it features several books and collector's items. Now, for Monk's Mound. If you are able to get up all the way to the top of the mound, by all means do it! I understand not everyone can. For those that get to the top, you'll be seeing some great views. Not only will you see some of the existing mounds on site, but you'll also see skylines of St. Louis and Clayton. And a few additionals, including Granite City Steel buildings. Just think, you're standing on a structure that is believed to have taken 300 years to build. Not surprisingly, you'll see some locals doing exercising runs on the steps so just be aware. On any good weather day, it's a perfect chillax place. And you can learn about local ancient history as well! One other thing to note: there are 15 miles of walking trails on the Cahokia Mounds site. They are open until dark. The Cahokia Mounds Historic Site has a lot of titles and honors worth mentioning: it is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site (one of only 23 in the U.S.!), a National Historic Landmark as well as USA Today's 25 Places to Visit in Illinois. A lot of people wonder why St. Louis is called "Mound City" and this is one of the reasons why. It's hard to believe Cahokia existed before New York, Los Angeles, and all the other big cities in America. It all started here. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Awards and plaques - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

I've driven by Cahokia Mounds for 25 years, and finally made my first visit today. I'm not sure why I never got around to it. The kids were there for field trips. Other family visited while I worked. Regardless, it's a great place to walk in the Spring or Fall, when it's not too hot, not too cold, and, hopefully, not too wet. I managed to complete my step count AND my stair climbing goal for the day. Also, I was able to tell Therese H. that I'd taken her on a date to the big city of this region, if she would just look around and imagine what it looked like one-thousand years ago. Thanks, CM, for a good visit. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Stairway to Monks Mound - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

I've visited Cahokia so many times. The mounds are impressive, especially the largest one you can walk to the top of. The inside visitor center is also definitely worth a visit. It's informative and there's so much to see inside. I have loved every visit. read more

The grounds are so nice and well kept. I just started walking out at the mounds and the area is just beautiful. The wild life and scenery makes it worth stopping. If you want to see a deer in the wild this is the place to go, they are everywhere. read more

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Several times a year we drove I-70 from Columbus to Denver to visit family. My wife has been wanting to stop and visit the Cahokia Mounds Historic Site which is actually pretty close to I-70. Cahokia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of only 23 currently in the US). So, on the way home from Denver, we timed our trip to hit St. Louis around dinnertime so we could visit relatives there for dinner and then we had booked a hotel in Edwardsville, IL (just across the river from St. Louis). Early the next morning, we headed to Cahokia. I was "along for the ride" -- this was something my wife wanted to do. BUT, I was very pleasantly surprised and was actually glad we had stopped. Cahokia was one of the largest settlements of the Mississippian culture and flourished around 1100 to 1200 AD. Its population - at its peak - it was larger than London. There is a visitor's center with a very informative film and staff and some really nice exhibits. The site itself offers self-guided tours and there are many mounds (some recreated, some original). You can't climb on most of the mounds but Monk's Mound - the tallest -- has steps (166 of them) to the top of the mound. From the plaza at the top, you can actually see downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. I thought we'd be here for an hour or so but we ended up spending close to 3 hours between the visitor's center/museum and the mounds on the site. This is a definite "must-see" for history buffs and especially for anyone interested in native American cultures. read more

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This place is really beautiful. Calm and peaceful. When we went the visitor center was not open due to renovation I believe. We were able to go around the open park where there is parking. Down 1 mile are wood henge poles. It's really cool I would love to go back and do the the whole trail read more

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Went here with a groomsman party the morning of the wedding to pray with the groom, share goals, and speak affirmations over each other. Once you reach the top, you'll definitely feel a sense of connection to the land and the ancestors of the past. I've hiked a lot in LA, so in terms of fitness, the stairs aren't much of a challenge. Also, the aesthetic of said stairs doesn't match the historical past of the mounds. The place could definitely use some aesthetic enhancements to pay homage the Natives. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

I've been here twice one with my school and one with my mom both were incredibly boring, and the fact that it is a world heritage site makes me mad. It is not good enough. The Colosseum is a World heritage site and this is nowhere near as cool. I'm gonna be honest this is not cool. MY advice is to not go. Who likes piles of dirt. read more

Been here twice, once as a kid and an adult. Wish the interpretive center was open but i understand that renovations are needed. read more

Cahokia Mounds - Parks Near Me - Collinsville, Illinois

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Came here on a weekday morning, lots of parking available, not too many people. Really cool spot! Lots to see, big space to walk around. Many mounds to see, the biggest mound has stairs going to the top and has an awesome view of STL! read more

I love to walk on monks mound for exercise here in the spring summer and fall! It is a beautiful clean safe area and a great way to not only get exercise but enjoy nature and the out doors! I have not been to the museum yet but I have it on my hit list to visit! read more

Recently visited here. Great visit even though the walk up the 150 steps can be great or hard. It's a spectacular view at the top of the highest mound read more