Lots to do and see, including:
Envision the past viewing exhibits and a 17-minute movie at the Museum.
Stroll to the Earthlodge and Early Mississippian temple mounds.
Immerse yourself in a wetlands environment by taking a walk on our new boardwalk.
Walk back in time through the wilderness of the Ocmulgee River floodplain on the River Trail.
Bicycle on a quiet park road
Contemplate Georgia’s “Fall Line” environment along Walnut Creek.
See Ocmulgee after dark during Lantern Light Tours in March.
Learn about Middle Georgia’s history and environment during Earthday in April.
Experience the very special Ocmulgee Indian Celebration on the third weekend in September.
Take a spring or autumn Ranger-led field trip to the Lamar Mounds and Village
I am a travel writer for National Park Planner and I was at Ocmulgee in November 2013. Located in Macon, Georgia, a sizeable city an hour and a half south of Atlanta, the Ocmulgee National Monument preserves earthen mounds built by Indians between 900 and 1000 AD. Unlike other Indian mound sites in the United States, the Ocmulgee Mounds are not burial mounds (with one exception), but earthen platforms built so that rulers and the upper echelon of society could build temples and houses that overlooked the village. Some mounds existing today remain as nothing more than tiny hills that would go unnoticed to the average person. Some are as tall as a five story building. All were built one bucket of dirt at a time.There are a total of eleven points of interest in the park—eight Indian mounds, one earth lodge, one Civil War site, and one historical site. Not all sites are accessible by those wanting to drive, but all of the major sites are, though some do require a short walk to visit them. Hiking is the only way to see all of the points of interest.Park Rangers give a guided tour of the Earthlodge twice a day, daily, in the summer and twice a day on the weekends in the off season. Check the NPS web site for tour times.The park also encompasses the Lamar Mound Site. These mounds are located in the swamps about three miles from the main section of the park and are accessible only on a guided tour with a park Ranger. Tours are given periodically throughout the year.For plenty of quality photos and complete information about the part, please visit National Park Planner (npplan).
Nice place to stop for a picnic lunch on the way from Chicago to Florida. Beautiful grounds to take a walk and learn about native Americans and people who lived here 1000+ years ago. Museum has lots of artifacts and short movie. Staff very friendly. Small gift shop with interesting things for kids. My three kiddos loved it.
The trails aren’t connected so it wasn’t really 11 miles of trails, and we had to go over the highway at one point. It was mostly clean, though, and had a nice feel to it. I would go again, but for bike riding the trail is a little short.
Whens d last time u saw something over 1000 years old ?? N paleoindian artifacts from 17,000 yrs ago – they found arrow head in burnt remains of a wooly mammoth here
An excellent Native American cultural history teaching and learning monument and grounds. Dr. Emmanuel Wilson.