Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Reviews

Always looking to check out National Park Service sites, and this one in Macon is a real treasure. The rangers were very helpful, the museum had a lot of artifacts, and the video was interesting. The mounds are very interesting and we'll worth the stop. Although for travelers who are ADA, they will not be able to go inside the one mound or ontop of the other

We wanted a place to stop along the route from Atlanta to Savannah and this was a really nice surprise!
They have a great museum - not too big and not too small.
The closest mound to the museum is really the best one as you can go in and see what it would have looked like inside. The rest are just mounds which were not bad but walking between and up to them on a hot day was less fun.
Overall a worthwhile stop and something different than the usual tourist sites

Well restored mound site of the Mississippian culture, later known as the Creeks in this part of Georgia. There were several mounds and a very nice visitor center with artifacts on display and an informative film. Barcodes at site placards give self-guided narration. Very helpful.

I visited this site with my husband and two children (ages 9 and 10). We were on our way from home from Spring Break, and this was an easy stop off I-75 in Macon. We visited the Etowah Mounds last summer, and I considered skipping this site. I’m glad that we didn’t. We didn’t have time to see the movie and only did a quick walk-through of the museum. The museum is full of artifacts found on site (which apparently are only a small fraction of what was found), presented in an interesting and educational way. The mounds are lovely, and there’s nice view of downtown Macon from the top of one. However, the highlight of the site is the Earth Lodge. You can walk inside the Earth Lodge and see (behind protective glass) a 5,000 year old floor! Amazing! We only spent about a little over an hour here, but agreed that we’d like to stop again another time. Did I mention that this incredible national monument is free?

Worth your time to visit. The main mound is impressive. The effort taken to build this complex is inspiring.

I visited once 20 years ago, and honestly....I would not have paid for it. It was neat, but really, you could get all you really want to know about this from a book. I have no desire to go back unless there is an amazing discovery.

We stopped here spur of the moment to get out of the car and we were glad we did. Very nice visitors center. You can walk to the different sites or drive. Learn some new things.

The ranger was very informative and answered all the questions the children had. Have been there many times and have never been disappointed.

So well kept. Great trip leg stretcher!! A/c in info center and first mound. Bring water for the rest of your hike. Great views. Even saw a hawk from the top of the big mound near the road.

This was completely amazing. It is reminscent of Stonehenge. I grew up in an area rich with native american culture and heritage, but never have I seen such a village and mounds as this. It was completely fascinating. Loved it. If you love history, and nature, being outside, you will love this place. The ranger was so friendly and willing to share information.

We had a rainy day on a 48 hour trip to Atlanta and had headed south to do some shopping. The Ocmulgee Mounds had popped up and we dropped in just as the rain subsided. So much history and the parks staff were welcoming and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this park.

This is a wonderful, interesting place to visit. Such history that the entire family can enjoy. There is a great festival there each year by the Native Amerian Tribes, be sure to visit too.

Earthworks with a ceremonial lodge and a temple and a funeral earthwork. The walking can be a bit much. There is a boardwalk. And you can drive to the temple. The visitor center has a great exhibit on the culture. The movie really helps with understanding the culture. There are many artifacts. If you have the time and driving on I-75 and like this sort of thing, I suggest you stop.

We had a great day in February that was perfect for a nice walk in the park and this was a perfect place for it. We found it quite interesting and enjoyed the museum. Macon has a wonderful park system with a walking path along the river that ties it all together. Great place for a long stroll.

We were visiting Macon and looking for things to do on New Year's Eve day. Some things were closed, and it was a beautiful, clear, crisp day making this a perfect place to visit. The park ranger greeted us upon entering the museum or the indoor part of the national park. He was extremely knowledgeable and welcoming and told us so many interesting facts about these mounds originally inhabited by Paleo-Indians some 17,000 years ago and later by the Mississippian Indian culture. This mound site near the Ocmulgee river, in 193 provided the biggest dig ever in the U.S. and turned up over 2 million artifacts. There is the museum with about a 15-20 minute film, the artifacts, and miles of hiking trails where you can see the council mound, the temple mound and the funeral mound. I had no idea this park was here and highly recommend for singles, couples or families.

A nice way to learn that the Native Americans inhabited this land for a long, long time before the Europeans came! If you desire a walk in the nature just few minutes from the city center, Ocmulgee is a place to go. The trails are not too demanding, yes till it takes some time to take them. And if you are lucky, you can stand on a pedestrian bridge and watch a train passing under you :)

Thousands of years ago, people began settling in what is now central Georgia. About a thousand years ago, the Mississippian Period began and at Ocmulgee, one of the world’s largest cities existed. Larger than London, the site outside of what is now Macon, Georgia was home to Native Americans until the arrival of the Spaniards. Today, seven large mounds still remain. The tallest rises over 50 feet above its surroundings. The most unique in a mound that is hollow so that you can see its interior.

The visitors center contains an extensive collection of artifacts excavated onsite. The visitors center also has a theater where a seventeen minute video on the history of Ocmulgee National Monument. The video is available in the gift shop.

This park has a great amount of history. It was a damp day for a tour, but was able to take the trails to the mounds. Very educational and interesting.

Driving North we wanted to stop and hike to break up the day. This Park is a few miles off of 75 and easy to get to. We stopped on a Saturday so the visitor center was open.
We had a picnic lunch and hiked for about an hour. The mounds are interesting. The hike took us through fields and a wetlands. Very nice.

A very nice museum with a gift shop. Elderly Park Ranger went out of his way to make us feel welcome. You can walk to the mound closeby and go into it
Then you can drive around the park and see more.

Fascinating museum/grounds commemorating 10,000 years of humanity in lush, peaceful setting. Wandered among foliage and historical lands.

We were driving south from Atlanta to Savannah and made a stop here . It was a huge National Park. Very educational. There was a museum and a gift shop. Very nice to hike around, but make sure to carry a water bottle as it can get hot. We combined driving and hiking so see as much as we can with limited time. We climbed over the different mounds, which were made by early Natives. Spent a nice couple of hours

I had read about Indian mounds but never had the opportunity to visit one. I was surprised to learn about the Ocmulgee National Monument and it's location in Macon. My visit was extremely informative and thoroughly enjoyable. I felt peaceful as I walked the site and entered the mound. I urge everyone interested in history to visit this site. I especially recommend that a family outing be considered at this site.

Visited this wonderful national historic site in March, and we were amazed at the wealth of things to see. The introductory movie is excellent (and should definitely be viewed before seeing the various exhibits and mounds). In addition to the history, the grounds are beautiful and well kept. The staff is excellent. If you haven't visited this gem in Macon (especially if you're a national/state park fan), put it on your must-see list.

So much history and Native American heritage here!! I’m so glad we stopped! I got another stamp in my passport and my son earned another Jr. Ranger badge! I wish we would’ve had more time to truly appreciate all this place had to offer! This one was a must see!!

I found the mounds quite interesting as was the park itself. Lots of trails to walk and explore. It is a pet friendly park.

This National Park is a hidden gem. It exceeded our expectations. Stop at the Visitors Center to tour the exhibits and get a map before you drive around. Great for hiking and or picnics. Dogs are welcome on leash.

Learned about Mississippian Indian and got a chance to look at some great views. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes because it can be lot of hiking and there are elevation changes.

You can see the rooftops and church spires of downtown Macon from the top of the largest mound at this monument. The reconstructed ceremonial mound will make you wonder about the early inhabitants of our country--what were their beliefs and practices? Inside the Art Moderne structure that houses the museum and welcome center we found a friendly, knowledgeable park ranger who took time to help us understand the significance of what we had come to see. Highly recommended.

So glad we stopped. The visitors center is very helpfully. The native American mounds are very impressive and the landscape of the park is simply amazing.
There are several trails you can walk.

The first thing to do is go to the Visitor Centre and watch the very informative film. The whole site will make much more sense if you do that. Leave the exhibition to later - you'll be glad to go back in the cool after walking the site!

The day we went the weather was in the low 90s - far too hot and humid to walk far, so having visited the Earth Lodge on foot we returned to our car and drove round to the temple mounds. We were sorry not to be able to walk the trails because of the heat, but we're British and not used to it!

We were very glad we'd visited and seen something so ancient and unexpected.

Does not take long for the short tour of the museum and motion picture. Nice grounds to walk around. Host on duty was very helpful and explained the history. Free admission. Small gift shop on sight

Although we have made many overnight trips to a Macon, GA for concerts, we had never visited the Ocmulgee National Monument. Based on Trip Advisor reviews, we decided to check it out. It was very close to our hotel and we will go back again. Watch the film inside first. We spent a lot of time inside looking at artifacts and learning lots along the way. Next time we will spend more time exploring outside, but due to very cold weather we spent more time inside. Another plus.....it is free!

This National Park is beautiful. The Rangers gave us advice on how to make the most of our time. We walked to one mound and when we walked over a small bridge and we saw deer eating under a tree. My husband had knee replacement surgery last year and we had no problem with the trails. On the way out at the Ranger's suggestion we drove slowly around the park and saw a fox.

My son and I visited Ocmulgee Mounds on our recent trip through Georgia. It is a place of thousands of years of history and of natural beauty. We were there on a pretty hot day in the morning. If you plan to visit do keep in mind that on the mounds and along the walk to the mounds there is not a lot of shade. You should bring water if you are there on a hot day.
We noticed there were some hiking trails that went through wooded areas. We didn't take the time to hike those. I may return to do that. I would recommend insect repellent if you plant to hike in the more wooded areas.
The visitor center was very interesting and had a good amount of information about the indigenous peoples who lived in the area and built the mounds.
A highlight was the interior of the earth lodge. It is a reconstruction, but it gives some idea of what the place would have been like when the mounds were inhabited.
I highly recommend a visit to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

The museum gives a nice overview of the history & is good to visit first. Kids enjoy going into the mound. Great place to walk around if you are in the area.

Stopped in with a family of 4. Mom/Dad and 13yr and 9yr old girls. We chose to visit the ceremony mound first, then the museum and drive over to the large and small mounds (it was 92 degrees). Will not hold that against the site! But the ceremony mound was very cool to see. 1,000 year old floor and restored for everyone to see. The entrance is a rather low so at 6’2” I had crouch pretty low. Not a dealbreaker at all just a heads up for anyone bringing an elderly guests. We then hit the museum for some a/c and more info. All workers were super nice and helpful. An elderly worker (John I think) answered all the questions myself and family had but most importantly shared his vast knowledge with us in a way you couldn’t learn from walking or reading in the museum. A nice touch even my kids picked up on and loved. Museum was interesting and even kept both kids interested in reading, looking and learning about the native Americans. We then drove over to the other mounds. Now these are a little less impressive as it is just mounds and grass but knowing where we were and how it was used soo long ago after visiting the museum didn’t dampen our spirits.

I would definitely make this a stop in the area. It is worth the time to stop for sure!

I go there quite frequently for nice peacefully walks. The personal is always friendly and the facility very well kept. The mounds are quite interesting, a lot of history. Nice walk ways and many of them shaded which is important during the long hot georgia summers. This year there is a gnat problem bit that is the case anywhere outdoors this year

We had seen this on Tripadvisor and thought it would be interesting. Got there, parked, and went in the Visitor Center. The Park Ranger that greeted us and another person showed us exhibits and gave us a 15 minute presentation on the history of the area. We looked around the visitor center some and then asked for suggestions on where to hike to see the outside attractions. Again, he was very helpful with his suggestions and we had a nice walk to see the mounds and ruins. Our impression was it does not have a lot of visitors so that made it even nicer. I would suggest it is a great place to visit if you have a couple of hours.

Very cool place especially if you think about the history and how old this place is. Very good information center and an easy walk to the Mounds. There is a mix of Native American Culture and Civil War experiences. Really liked my stop here

The mounds are really interesting to look at and the trails. are great for hiking. Great museum too.

I had no idea what I would find here before I came. Nice trails, Civil War history, Indian burial mounds, and even got some photos of 2 deer that I spooked which had been hiding under a foot bridge. What fun!

This national monument sits on acreage that contains several mounds, with accessible walkways throughout the site. The pictured mound can be entered, but the long tunnel entrance is narrow and has a very low ceiling - but once inside you can stand up and enjoy the view and recorded presentation. The interpretive center was well worth going through, giving a timetable of the site's history through the millennia which included tools, foods, textiles and ceramics from many eras.

Having seen a few mounds sites across the country at this point, I think the value of this NPS site is in the interpretive displays they have within the visitor's center. They do an excellent job working through the timelines of the area, linking findings to the people who have lived there. Lots and lots of artifacts to see to bring things alive a bit. Then it's easy enough to go for the walk towards either the great mound (quick trip) or spend a couple hours navigating the entire park. The NPS rangers there are very nice and enthusiastic about helping and answering questions, which is a great bonus. Though it's not the biggest mounds site out there, this is an excellent place to visit for those interested.

Due to Covid-19 the Visitor Center and Earth Lodge are closed, but don't let that stop you from visiting. There is a good National Park brochure available on the post near the Visitor Center sign display. The walk to the Earth Lodge is short and worthwhile even if one cannot enter now. Explanatory sign posts line a clear walkway. The mounds are really impressive. The walk very enjoyable.
There is also a driving path to the far side of the park that goes beneath a tunnel over which are train tracks.

Don't just drive by, get out and walk and look around. This is a real piece of history right in the city. Do a little research before going so you know what it is you're looking at. Take the time to stop by the visitors center as well.

an interesting stop and lovely park. I think I was expecting more. Was able to enter only one mound. had our dog with us so we were unable to do the museum.

Under construction, i wish i could have given it more stars. I was excited to see the thousand year old floors but the exhibit was closed. We did climb the highest mound, which provided a lovely view.

This is a wonderful outdoor place to visit. So much history and beautiful views. The park is free unless you come here for a special event. Wish I had more time to spend here.

The whole family rated this a five. This is a free attraction and the history here is amazing. Definitely a must-see attraction while in Macon.

If you like hiking and walking this would be a nice place. the grounds are kept clean and also inside the museum. very interesting history and pleasant to visit

The trails we hiked were 6+ miles and beautiful. The trails were clean and free of trash. Awesome! Would highly recommend it.

Very Accessible and interesting. There is very little supervised touring of the mounds. You will be pretty much left to your own curiosity and observations. If you want a narrated guided tour you will need to make arrangements for that before you come to the Mounds. The positive is that you can wander undisturbed for the hours the park is open.

This was a really great place to visit. It was a beautiful day, so we walked to all the different mounds. It was so awesome to walk the land that so many before us walked and utilized. Could definitely feel the spirit of so many. We had our dog, so unfortunately, we did not get to enjoy the museum. The earth lodge was really cool! I would definitely suggest stopping here if you are in the area!

We spent an hour visiting all the mounds and visitor center. The history and information around the parks was very informative but overall there isn't a lot to see - most of the mounds are not that big...we were able to walk into one of them and walk up to the the top of another that had wooden stairs - we saw a hawk perched at the top of the stairs. I wouldn't drive out of your way to go here but if you're interested in history and seeing how native Indians lived in past, then it's a good one hour stop. You can drive around to various parking lots to reduce your time walking but we decided to just walk the entire park because we would have spent more time/walking back to the car and driving to the next area.

Interesting and well done displays. Well marked paths for walking. Good for a short outing and fresh air.

Ocmulgee is located within the suburbs of Macon but is an oasis of green. I was amazed to learn of mound-building societies in North America, and the visitor centre does a great job of explaining the history of the site. The area is well signposted and beautifully maintained. There is also a Civil War battlefield within the grounds. Definitely worth a visit.

We were greeted by the Park Ranger as we entered the visitor's center. She was very informative and provided us with needed information. A 17 minute video gave us the basic information to understand the area history. This was then followed by a visit by car on a trail through this beautiful park. We learned a lot about these prehistoric peoples.

With the help of the great staff, my four kids completed their junior ranger booklets after watching the video, exploring the museum, and walking to the sites. There are several picnic areas for a lunch, trails off into the woods, and a nice little gift shop. You can drive to the sites if needed but it’s a nice walk on a good day on a paved trail. Stairs to climb up the tallest mound.

This place is a gem! We really enjoyed waking the grounds and learning about the early Native Americans. They a wonderful museum as well.

We really enjoyed this park. I wish we had had more time to see it. However they've done a good job keeping it up and the people were very nice.

This cultural site is a gem...the interpretive center, built when the park became a national monument, is wonderfully done and well preserved. This is an easy and interesting visit for many age groups. The Rangers we met were extremely friendly and very well spoken about the significance of this site. A great lesson regarding the earliest Americans. Definitely worth time. Great gift shop as well with unique Native Georgian items.

My wife and I stopped by Ocmulgee on our way back to Florida. The park was awesome with many ancient Native American mounds. We stopped by the visitor center first where the ranger gave us a run down of the trails and highlights. There was a reconstructed meeting house which can be entered. The hiking was excellent. It is extremely hilly and there were a lot of stairs to climb the Temple Mound. In fact, of all the Mounds I’ve visited this was by far the tallest. We had a great time! It is right off I-16 and I-75 which makes it a great place to stretch your legs and learn a little history. It also has no entrance fee. I highly recommend visiting Ocmulgee!

We stopped here in our way to Florida. Very warm and friendly welcome at the visitor center. The exhibition there was very detailed. The park ranger on duty gave us very helpful advices for our visit. Would stop here again, hopefully with more time to spend.

I was one of the SWFL evacuees (Hurricane Irma) and found myself randomly in Forsyth, GA and trying to make the best out of a crappy situation. A week of stress, anxiety and uncertainty I tried to find things to do and enjoy my forced "vacation" in this area. Without knowing much about GA, I have been blown away at the hospitality of the people and the amazing amount of history and beauty here. I saw this national park online and felt strongly compelled to go. A short 25min drive from Forsyth we found it- I highly recommend you go to the visitors center first before going to the mounds. The museum inside is good and informative, but their 17min video in the theatre provides relevant info of the park and burial mounds that will help better understand and appreciate it all, especially offering important information on the Earth's Lodge. A great hike for any level and any age. There are wooden stairs and wooded bridges that make for an easier climb. The view is breathtaking, the history of these ancient people and the Civil War events that took place offers a wealth of enrichment. This was by far the best place I've been too where I felt the most at peace and comfort. Please mind your pets and follow the rules of the sacred mounds and land- there's a reason it's been protected and preserved all these years. A must see and do.

I think these small national parks fall off people's radars:( Yet, these parks are MORE than just a place to learn about the history at that particular location:) They can be a great place to also get in a little physical workout:) Ocmulgee is just that, a walking workout:) It's a good 1/2 mile front to back and done well with sidewalks, low cut grass, wide walking bridges and a short climb on stairs to the top:) Love the view from the top:) The information boards out on the grounds are kept up well and have simple information:) The roads around the park are in great shape. The visitors center is also top notch and well done:) They are re-doing the inside bathrooms, but have others you can use. The ranger was very nice and full of information:):):) Great 1-2 hour visit:)

This is more than a site, it has several walking trails to enjoy ( although not if it is too hot!!), and a pretty good visitor centre. We watched an introductory video which was helpful in esplaining how the original inhabitants, Creeks, built their civilisation, burial grounds and chambers for gatherings and councils.The main underground mound has been lovingly preserved, with the original floors showing. Great for those interested in Native American culture.

You can get a sense of the presence of the people who inhabited this area over thousands of years. Very well done visitor center and the park staff members were so nice.

Mounds are fascinating. Nice trails to walk. Love NPS sites and these one was educational. Jim was very helpful.

My wife and I have visited Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis so we were eager to visit Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park near Macon, Georgia, during our trip along Georgia's Antebellum Trail. Located at 1207 Emery Highway, on the east back of the Ocmulgee River, accessible from U.S. Route 80, off I-16, the 3,336-acre park has evidence of 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. It preserves traces of over 10,000 years of culture from the Native Americans in the Southeastern Woodlands. Visitors can marvel at major earthworks built before 1000 AD by the South Appalachian Mississippian culture, including the Great Temple and other ceremonial mounds, a burial mound, defensive trenches and the site of the English colonial trading post. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and re-designated as National Historical Park in 2019. Start at the visitor center, which includes an archaeology museum. It shows a short orientation film, displays artifacts and interprets the successive cultures of the pre-historic Native Americans who inhabited this site for thousands of years. A gift shop also offers books related to the park. Visitors can reach the Great Temple Mound via a half-mile walk or the park road. The major occupation of Ocmulgee was 950 to 1150 AD during the Early Mississippian-culture period. During that time, thousands of workers carrying earth by hand in bags built the 55-foot-high Great Temple Mound on a high bluff overlooking the floodplain of the Ocmulgee River. Distinctive pottery from the Lamar Period indicates the site was occupied from 1375 to 1670. In 1540, the expedition of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto traveled through the site and left a trail of destruction in its wake. Later Native American confederacies considered the Ocmulgee Mounds to be sacred and made pilgrimages there. The mounds evoked awe in 18th century travelers. In 1805, President Thomas Jefferson ordered Fort Benjamin Hawkins to be built on a hill overlooking the mounds. Finally, Ocmulgee was abandoned in the 1830s when President Andrew Jackson ordered the removal of the Five Civilized Tribes from the Southeast to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. Today, visitors enjoy an exhilarating experience while walking in the footsteps of the ancient peoples.

Interesting part of our history. Nice small museum and film in Visitor's center. Not a big place to tour but interesting.

Growing up near the Ohio River I grew up near several small Indian burial mounds on a recent trip through Macon Georgia we decided to stop off and check out the large mounds. This small national Park was absolutely amazing just the size of the mounds is completely impressive and the fact that one of the mounds is actually an earthen Lodge that you get to walk into. just in case you've ever wanted to know what it would be like to look inside of an earthen Lodge let me tell you it is incredible. and do you want to hear the coolest part about being inside of the earth and Lodge there's AC. The day that we were there it was a steamy 104 degrees but due to beautiful weather and a nice breeze it was not bad at all and we absolutely loved the views from the top of the mound overall I think that this is a great place to stop and stretch your legs if you're driving south of Atlanta.

A great way to get some healthy exercise, learn about Native American history and enjoy nature. Lots of nature trails, museum in addition to the mounds.

There is evidence here of human habitation for 12,000 years. South Appalachian Mississippian culture built the mounds around 900 AD. They left behind eight earthen mounds and the remains of a ceremonial earth lodge. In the 1930s, citizens of Macon wanted to preserve the land/history at the site. FDR made it a National Park in 1936.
Be sure to visit the visitor's center that has a comprehensive museum and a 17 minute short film. It's a short walk to the Earth lodge and we drove to the earthen mounds. Ample parking for all areas. No admission fee.

We came to the Ocmulgee National Monument for the annual Native American Festival, recommended by our child's teacher. She really knew what she was talking about! A free event, with many live exhibits of dancing, costumes, weapons, homelife, toys, hunting. Storytellers told us fabulous tales and others told of what life was like for their ancestors. A lovely event held at the Monument. The grounds are neat, and quite large. It is worth the hike to the top of the mounds, beautiful views and peaceful plains. Plan to go back to enjoy just the park sometime.

Stretch your legs and enjoy the sunshine and see Macon from the Indian Mounds. The walks are full of nature and places to rest and just take in nature and the sunshine.

We live in the area and go about once a month! During the summer you should plan to be there when they open to beat the heat. The walk isn’t too hard and easy for strollers. There are quite a bit of stairs at the Great Temple mound but isn’t too bad for small children. Plan to spend about two hours here

We drove into the park thinking we woudl just drive by..and originally we were unimpressed but then we had a visit to the vistors center and talked to the park ranger and it was great! We ended up walking to the lodge mound and it was so wonderful! Really worth the walk and the visit... just incredible... so glad we went!!! An amazing piece of history!

Well set-up site to educate oneself on the Native Mound Builder. Area of historic significance that has been well-preserved. Helpful staff that is willing to answers any questions about the area and site.

The no fee Visitor Center is one of the best we have visited. An interesting ~20 minute video storyline and numerous artifacts from different time periods are on display. The on-duty rangers were very pleasant and helpful. The water is shut off due to a leak but very clean, cool and sanitary facilities are provided with running water and lights. Great job!! Even though it is a pretty good walk, you have to go to and view the inside of the Earth Lodge as it really puts things in perspective. There are also numerous hiking trails available.

The first impression wasn’t so great considering there was a crack head at the entrance. The visitor center was a lot better than the mounds itself. Very underwhelming.

Both the museum/visitor center and the lodge were closed due to COVID but this was a good stop still. Nice, short hike where you can see multiple mounds and even climb to the top of the largest. Good informative signs for explanations without the park rangers available. Just minutes outside of downtown Macon so an easy stop.

Great place for morning visits. We loved walking around seeing the mounds and plant life. Then we saw the movie and toured the building when it got hot. A fun day in nature and culture.

My only downer is that I do not like dates listed as CE instead of AD. A subtle anti-Christian jab. Insulting.

I was always curious to check out this park. This park was free to visit and the staff was very nice. The park’s operating hours were not the easiest for me to accommodate, but I found an hour to visit this destination. There was a visitor center and there was plenty of available hiking. It was great to climb to the top of a big mound and to overlook Macon. There were other impressive mounds which one could see but which one could not ascend. One should bring bug spray! The interstates were close to this park.

I’ve read about the Native American “Mounds” civilizations, and have visited sites in Ohio as a youth. The Ocmogee exhibit and mound preservations were very educational.

great hiking place with beautiful trails. routinely run into bird watchers. walking and bike trails depending on how much time you want to spend here

I've got to admit, I like history. So when I travel, I always look for unusual, historical places and events to get a "history fix." In Macon, GA, there's a unique historical place right in the city! Within sight of downtown, Ocmulgee National Monument features giant earth mounds, one hollow, built by a mysterious, past civilization. Administered as a national monument, there's no charge to come in. A visitor center in a 1930s, art deco style building, features the usual exhibits of historical artifacts, a good video that tells as much of the story as anyone knows, gift shop, restrooms, all for free. Around the park are the main attractions, the mounds themselves. Paved or graveled paths circle all the points of interest. Staircases (modern) provide access to the tops of a couple mounds so you can see things from above. One mound, used as a meeting place, has been excavated and restored inside (including air conditioning for us modern weaklings) so we can see how these people's leaders met. Unfortunately, they didn't have a written language. No, wait, that's a good thing! No meeting agendas to wade through! But there's no records they ever had punch-outs in their meetings, either. So in a spare morning or afternoon you can have a pleasant, healthy time and learn something, too. It's a fun, beneficial place to visit. Hope I can return someday.

We enjoyed out trip to Ocmulgee Mounds, very informative and helpful staff. The displays and presentations was a learning experience, love reading about history. We will return to do more hiking.

This site is peacefully but at the the same time its sad to see that a lot of it was destroyed before people realized what was here. Drove to several of the pull offs because I cant walk the whole site like some of the people there. The visitors center is open although it doesn't look like it. The park ranger was very informative about the site. I walked out to a lot of the main sites and I definitely think if you can walk to the earth lodge. Its interesting to see the inside and to hear the story of what they found. The visitors center small museum is also worth it.

I have visited these Indian mounds many times as a young boy, when my Father was stationed at Robins AFB, down the road from Macon. You used to be able to actually go inside a couple of the mounds to sit and see into the past wonders of early indigenous man. On a hot day the earthen, tribal gathering mounds stay naturally continuously cool, dark, and thick with the earthen aroma of rich soil and dusty antiquity... When, I grew up and became stationed in the military at Robins AFB I would bring all my kids back to the Indian mounds several times during the almost every Summer until they were almost grown, because it was fun to; hike the Indian mound trails, to visit the on-site artifact Museum in the park... We got plenty of exercise as a family all while having fun exploring the adventures of this park. I was particularly drawn to this place, because of my ancient mixed Indigenous Ancestry myself, since one of my Grandmother's was actually of significant; Cherokee and Creek (Muscogee) Native Blood lineage, and lived in a place not too terribly far from this Indian mound park site.

This monument is a bit out of the way. We had a very nice visit. Interpretive / visitor center very helpful. Extremely interesting about Native American history. Wish we had more time to visit but it only is an incentive for us to return.

The native history of the area is of course interesting, and you can get a sense from the interpretive panels outside while the museum is closed due to Covid. But what’s better anyway is the beautiful walk outside, with a stunning view of downtown Macon and the river. And when the train roars through the ancient Indian mounds... it’s just really cool.

We only got to spend an hour or so here because it started to rain. But, very interesting history, the grounds are well cared for and it did not cost us anything. We were able to walk with our dogs to one of the mounds. It was very cool thinking about the people that used these mounds and how they could see far off in the distance. There were 2-different nature trails by this particular mound so you could walk on a boardwalk or a trail. We did both and saw a deer and lots of plants. The dogs loved it.

We will be going back for sure.

There are few places in the Eastern US that show large-scale evidence of the prehistoric peoples that lived here, and very little information is common knowledge. This site is impressive in its size and the quality of the presentations in the museum and at the mounds themselves is excellent. The site is enormous and entails a lot of walking to see properly; come early in the day to avoid the heat. It did make me sad that there is so little left of this civilization that lasted for so long, so long ago. Also that the train tracks went right through the middle of it in the 1800s.

What a historical place!!! Indian history is fascinating!!! The mounds at this site were huge!!! The video was so educational at the Visitors Center....so informative!!! The rangers were so friendly!!! Be sure and drive around the park and experience the beauty of nature!!!

Interesting and unique memorial of native American history. What made this trip especially great for us was Ranger Jim Branan. He welcomed us and provided a detailed and helpful overview of the park. Jim seemed genuinely pleased to see us and was a great host.

We were just passing through and wanted to see what this National Park was all about. It had a wonderful vibe and full of History

Overall, very impressed with this National Park Service site. Neat art nouveau visitor’s center that was built in 1934 with Native American designs. Very knowledgeable and friendly ranger. Good 17-minute movie on the history and some interesting artifacts. Most interesting thing is walking up to and into the mound - the oldest standing building in America at 1,000 years old. Original floor and everything.

Funny, but no cell phone service inside the 1,000 year old earth lodge. I guess the Native Americans didn’t plan ahead for that. (Seriously, just kidding.)

Was passing through on the way to another NPS site and it was well worth stopping to see. I hope more people plan on stopping here as well in the future as I am sure they will be equally impressed.

The museum is very interesting and detailed. There are lots of really neat artifacts and displays. The mounds are interesting and a map available from the museum is easy to read. There are signs at the mounds that are interactive with smart phones to tell you stories and information. The walk is beautiful and relatively easy---but you can also access the mounds by car.

This a a place that you need to walk to see everything! We watched the video…which was very good and then drove around the site! It was too hot to walk!

This is a fascinating NPS site that explores some of the history of the Mississippian culture that built a city on this site. There are a series of mounds and a few foundations around the park that are connected by some gentle nature trails over the fields and through a wooded area. There is also a great Streamline Moderne style visitors center built during the WPA era that tells more of the story of the people who built and inhabited the area as well as the tremendous archaeological dig on site in the early 20th century.

While killing time in Macon, we came upon this monument/park about an hour before closing. It was much bigger than I expected when I read "monument." We wished we had a few hours more; it was a very cool place. Grounds are well maintained, hike was pleasant and easy, mounds were easily accessible, and the earth lodge was incredibly cool to explore. We stopped by the visitors center on the way out, and could have easily spent an hour or more at all of the informational exhibits. This is why our National Parks must be protected; this place is a glimpse into the past and something you have to see to appreciate!

It was sad to see that a train track was built in the 1800's right through the middle of one of the burial mounds. I believe that the Ocmulgee National Monument was worth seeing.

Great hiking trails, amazing story of the mounds. I wasn’t sure but I’m so glad we saw this. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We stayed about an hour and walked 2+ miles. Would have stayed longer, will go back again!

A great piece of history. The visitor center has a great exhibit (museum) with the history of the area from the first Indians through the civil war and beyond. Right from the visitor center you can walk to many of the mounds. They are very impressive. You can actually go inside the Earth Lodge. The inside has been reconstructed. There are several trails, some along the river. There are a couple picnic spots near the visitor center. The park is right off I 75.

This place offers a great opportunity to enjoy history and nature at the same time. We were welcomed by a family of deer on our way to the Visitor's Center. There, our boys completed the Junior Ranger program and that allowed the whole family to learn a lot about the different cultures that have lived in that beautiful area (plus our kids got a nice badge and colorful patch for completing the program). The Visitor's Center was being repaired but we still had access to the wonderful and educational exhibits in it. The rangers were kind and knowledgeable. It was a great experience!

17,000 years of human habitation. Phenomenal. Part was closed for "unexpected repair.". Still an amazing place.

This place is amazing. watch the video, climb the hills and just enjoy yourself . The building there was built around the 30"s. The park is well laid out with point of Interest. Including a 1000 year old board room .

Absolutely friendly, helpful rangers who encouraged me to bring my dog as we walked around the main mound

Beautiful historic park. Multiple mounds to visit. They are all connected by hiking trails--some are paved. Visitor center is a must see. Artifacts dating back 10,000 years. Movie gives a wonderful intro to the mounds. Very friendly staff and well kept grounds. Admission is free.

Nice little museum with a scavenger hunt for kids. Entry to the park and museum are free. Several miles of trails through and over the mounds and even some swamp trails. Surprising to find right in the muddle of Macon. Definitely worth stopping by

I was intrigued by my reading of this site and decided to stop for a brief visit while in the area recently. I talked for a while with a really friendly and knowledgeable ranger before heading out to her recommendations for the must see sites on a short stay. I thoroughly enjoyed my stop and will make it a point to come back when I have more time for some of the longer hikes.

A piece of history and heritage that is older than the pyramids and is closely related to our American heritage.

The staff was excited and enthusiastic about sharing there knowledge of the mounds . Grounds kept well ! A southern hospitality welcome!

There are many trails to explore. The grounds are well kept and cared for. Of course, be in the look out for snakes as this is their habitat and not ours. If you are looking for respite in the heart of the city, this is the place. Right outside of Macon, it's a great getaway from the concrete and asphalt.

Attended the evening lantern tour - engaging docent/park rangers provided historical information and perspectives about the ancestral importance of Ocmulgee. The mounds and grounds are exceptionally well maintained commensurate with their sacredness. Not to be missed!

This free National Park is open from 9-5 daily except December 25th and January 1st. Many American Indian cultures erected mounds for their elite. A ceremonial mound with the original floor dated to the year 1015 that you are able to go inside. Also can view with the use of ramps and stairs the funeral mound. The visitor center has a very interesting museum and film. Highly Recommended when in the area..

We were looking for a stop off on our way to Atlanta and we thought this place might be interesting.

It was.

The visitor centre was great - plenty of information and artefacts (and clean toilets).

The day we visited they were setting up an event in the grounds and we were told certain trails were out of bounds.

We walked the short distance to the first mound and went inside (go to the visitor centre first, so you know what you are looking at).

It was absolutely baking hot outside so we didn't have the desire to walk much further out (although none of the trails appeared to be out of bounds).

Tranquil, peaceful and free admission :)

If you want to know more about Native American life in this region, this is a must visit! The museum, located in the visitor center, gives a good overview of daily life as well as a timeline of the region. Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. The site is quite beautiful although some of the mounds have been destroyed by development. Be sure to wear walking shoes and bring a camera as well.

We had a short overnight in Macon to break up a long drive, and decided to visit this place for about an hour and a half. Wished we'd had more time! We had no idea that there was evidence of native occupation in the southeastern US dating back 17,000 years. It's a large property to hike/bike and/ or drive, with remnants of a communal lodge, and funerary and ceremonial earthen mounds. Fascinating place. With more time, we would have watched the intro movie and explored the artifacts in the museum. Great place to walk and learn about a not well known part of American Indian history.

We had a fantastic time at the park! With free admission and a dog-friendly policy, it's a great spot for families. The exhibits provided a valuable learning experience about prehistoric Native American culture, and the friendly and knowledgeable staff added to the experience. The park is beautifully maintained, making it perfect for a walk with kids. Overall, we'd highly recommend it for a fun and educational experience.

Even though a Georgia native, the Monument had excellent information about early native people that I did not know. Impressive grounds and adequate, well maintained walking trails. Well worth your time and this kind of information should be taught in schools.

This small national monument is located just off Interstate 16 in Macon. The grounds are very well maintained, and the park was not crowded. There are about a dozen mounds, all within easy walking distance. The whole site can be visited in an afternoon. There are stairs to the top of the largest mound, from which three smaller mounds are visible. Another mound has an accessible earth lodge.

Overall, this park is quiet, peaceful and beautiful.

Great park, even on a drizzly spring day. Great place to do some hiking. Climb to top of mound for a special view of other mounds & don't miss the temple. Don't forget to duck!

This site of early Paleo-Indian civilization, beautifully maintained by our National Park Service, focuses on the inhabitants of this area from 10,000 BCE to the early 1700's. Walking the paths to and around the ceremonial mounds, where ancient peoples lived & flourished, pre- Mississipians to the Creeks, is an archeological adventure. Archeologists have restored, based on their findings, the earthlodge where one can view the original clay floor dated to be about 1,000 yrs. old. Informative movie about the restorations & artifacts found on site bring to life early civilization. Wear good walking shoes, take drinking water, and your curiosity. Six miles of woodland trails include a walk through a 100 yr.old brick train tunnel where an elevated track is still in use. If you see the train go by, wave, the engineer will wave back & maybe give a big blast on the whistle. Ocmulgee National Monument's mysteries are free to explore. Worth the visit.

Very interesting and well preserved historical site. It is also a nice place to take a walk on a beautiful day.

Great park with lots of walking trails. We took our dog and saw a lot of other dogs on the trails. Very nice visitor center with JR Ranger program. The rangers were so friendly and helpful; one played Native American games with kids. 17 minute movie,

We were on a quick weekend trip here and saw good things about this place. Unfortunately, we didn't get here until 4 and it closed at 5. We rushed to see as much as we could and can't wait to go back and spend several hours here. Highly recommend you take a visit here.

This might not be everybody's cup of tea, but I found my quick visit humbling. I enjoyed the historic structures from thousands of years ago and from the Great Depression. Unique place!

I love the feeling of walking in the footsteps of ancient people. They lived among these mounds and went about their everyday life,

Bring a picnic and enjoy the full experience of the native populations of Georgia. You can take a hike, learn lots of history and just chill in one of the best environments you will find.

This is an amazing historical site with artifacts going back to the Clovis period and right up to the Civil War. Mostly you will see mounds (from the outside) so to properly appreciate the site you need to visit the interpretive center first. There are also some nice hikes.

Stopped in Macon for the night and wanted a place to walk our dog. What a treat! Yes, there are great walking paths but the historical treasure we found was amazing. Learned so much about the Native American tribes that lived in the area, their culture, and life style. The ability to walk into one of the mounds was very special. Highly recommend this.

This was a very educational experience to see how Native Americans lived several thousand years ago. Well preserved site and with a knowledgeable staff.

This is a beautiful park with a well done museum showing civilization through the ages at that site. Take some time to have a guide in the museum. One of the mounds can be entered for a little experience. The others are very tall and a great for some exercise with a wonderful view on top.

When you see the history that has occurred at this location, you will be amazed. From centuries of Native Americans living here to a the remains of a trading post and then two battles from the Civil War it is definitely a unique location. It is a great park for walking. The view of the city of Macon from the highest mound is stunning. To realize these mounds were made by people carrying the dirt in baskets on their backs is just astounding. Hopefully, in the near future all of the historical displays in the museum will reopen. The Ranger on station was extremely helpful and informative. Outstanding visit!

We are passport stamp collectors, and we were looking for a day trip and ended up here. This site is incredible, with a wealth of history about the area that anyone can appreciate.

Amazing park with very cool indian mounds. I didn't know anything about the place before we visited, but the informative museum and movie really teaches you a lot. After you visit the art deco visitor center make sure to drive and see the mounds themselves. Amazing they are so old!

Located just a short distance outside of Macon Georgia: this is a must see for anyone who is in this area. There are several different mounds that you can visit. To fully understand what you are looking at: I suggest you visit the visitors center, and watch the short movie that they have. There are also many exhibits and displays there that explain the history of the people and the mounds that once lived there.
Highly recommended!

Beauty grounds and scenery will definitely go back for tour. Located in MACON Georgia. Would recommend for a family day.

A huge site with lots of information and physical manifestations of the structures of the native people of the area. There is a good visitor centre at the main car park. Plenty of open air walking so not a place for poor weather.

Great place to explore. Lots of information on the history of the area. Enjoyed walking around the mounds etc. Worth stopping to visit.

I grew up in Macon and frequented "Indian Mounds" as we call it many times. I now live out of town but every time I come home, I make it a point to take my kids and walk.

It's the perfect place to reconnect to nature. They have walking trails and the history lesson is awesome.

Great place to go to learn more about the history of our area. The hiking trails are awesome and there are excellent chances for wildlife viewing.

We enjoy winter hikes here back along the river. It's a beautiful walk with our dog and 3 children. We take the bikes sometimes.

The visitors center itself is unique architecturally and really impressive. The introductory video is a must see and the displays are informative.

After about an hour we headed out to visit these ancient mounds. The earthen mound was open and really interesting. You have to duck to enter the woven hallway into the interior chamber. The floor is unchanged and very interesting. Push a button and the atmosphere come to life. One can sense the presence of the chieftains gathered on the seats.

This is a must see if in Macon!

Nice Facility, comfortable for viewing of presentation. Walked to Lodge an over to Mounds. Could ride to Mounds, ample parking.

Such a great place to visit to do research, to spend time in nature, or to stare at the beauty that God created. I’ve gone here to get away from the craziness of the world, and I went and took my engagement pictures here! It’s gorgeous!

Learned so much about the people and their history. Go to the mounds in the morning or early evening. It was terribly hot during the day. The museum was really interesting. Would recommend for all ages.

I really enjoyed visiting and hiking through this site. Admission was free (they only charge a fee on special occasions) and there are several different mounds to visit, one that you can go inside and a few where you can climb to the top. The Visitor Center has educational displays on the site, a gift shop and don't forget to buy some water before walking the site, especially on a hot day like I had in June. Someday I'll have to go back and hike the River Trail - a sign posted at the trail head said watch out for alligators!

I absolutely love the information and great pride that is displayed during the tours and throughout the display of the museum. The gift shop is very nice. I appreciate that the knowledge shared isn't hearsay, yet actual information you can cross check yourself. Thank you so much and I will surely return.

Very helpful park ranger explaining everything. Easy 1 mile walk to see two of the mounds. Nice interpretive presentation in the visitor center.

We've been here several times for either organized events such as 5K runs, as well as just to spend some time walking the trails and enjoying the scenery. It's very peaceful here, especially if pick the time of day when it's comfortable. (Meaning early morning in the summer or afternoon during the winter.) Parking is easy and you almost have to try to get lost. :-)
Pack some water or other beverages.
Make sure you check the hours, because we've gotten here within 20 minutes of closing. Not good.
Enjoy!

Interesting place...watch the video before you explore the mounds and earth works...teaches you alot about how they were constructed and why they are there. Nice place!

Hard to believe this is in what is basically downtown Macon, GA. This is an enjoyable place to visit. Bring your walking shoes!

Way more than expected. The location is easy to find. Upon arrival Ranger Davis greeted us and provided an am amazing description of the Mounds as well as the Civil War aspect related to the "colored" troops supporting the Macon area. I had driven past the Ocmulgee exit many times and if you've done the same thing, then I suggest you take a few hours out of your busy schedule and visit. If you are lucky enough to be at the visitor center when Ranger Davis is there, take time to hear the history (he has a degree in History). The mounds are early to walk and explore. Wear comfortable shoes or you can drive to the various mounds. The Park is free. Not sure why the City of Macon doesn't do more to advertise the Park.

This was my second visit to the site. It is so unique and filled with so much history. I would like to go back again to explore more.

My spouse and I did the S,C.A.R.E. (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research and Education) 5K on 20 October 2018. It's always a pleasure to go to the Ocmulgee Mounds-well maintained, living history. Great Park rangers-will answer any question you have. Wonderful place to visit and experience the history of Macon's first aboriginal dwellers.

We would go here during Christmas and summertime. This place is super fun for kids because there is so much land for them to roam and have fun. Beautiful views. The wind can be so powerful through all that open land to really keep you cool. The reserves are really cool to look at for the kids and enjoyable for adults. This was one of my favorite places to go as a child and I hope you enjoy!!!

The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park was an interesting spot to visit! Much of this site is best viewed by walking rather than driving. Check out the exhibits in the Visitor Center and pick up a map of the park. From the Visitor Center, hike to the Earth Lodge and explore it. From there hike to the Cornfield Mound, then pass the Trading Post site on to the Lesser and Great Temple Mounds. Climb the stairway to the top of the Great Temple Mound to get the lay of the land - great views! From there you can hike to the Funeral Mound, then return by way of the Cornfield Mound. There are historical markers throughout the park which tell much of the history of what there is to see. Admission to the park is free unless there is a special event.

I have visited the Ocumolgee national monument many times and have enjoyed it every single time. There are trails for exploring, interactive exhibitions (walk inside of the mound), a museum with friendly staff, and a picnic area. Everywhere you go you are surrounded by a sense of tranquility driven by this historic site. Free admission and ample parking in multiple areas of the park. If you like trains you may sit atop a ridge and watch them pass under. If you like wildlife the swamp and the river areas are a great place to animal watch.

There is so much history to learn, great place to learn and explore. Make sure you have on comfortable shoes and pack sone water. It is a walk but well worth it.

This is a unique and fun spot for anyone. Great place to stretch your legs for a good hour when on the road. My kids loved it and you might see alligators, so definitely be mindful of the wildlife. There are signs making you aware and you walk over a bridge so, it is pretty safe, just keep kiddos close and explore.

Nice easy trails for hiking. The lake is great for bird watching also. The museum is small but nice and has a hidden theater area for relaxing in a/c after hikes and watching films on the area history. There is a picnic area at museum for groups or families to use. They also host events throughout the year that are inclusive for all ages. No fees charged for the museum but well worth any donation that visitors chose to make. A "must do" for families, couples, and even singles. We go often and take friends and family when they come to visit.

Not a lot to see but if it's nice weather it's a great place to take a walk. Also take advantage of the great restaurants within a short drive of the mounds.

I go here several times each week. No Kidding! Yep, go from the Spring Street Landing via the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail (easy, gentle three miles to the Great Temple Mound). I took my son and two grandsons ( 1 yr and 5 yr old) via bikes. This is going to be even better once the construction is finalized along the Interstate 75-16 corridor. You'll be able to hike from Amerson Water Park to the Ocmulgee National Park! The path is paved 99% of the way, there are raised paths over the swamps and creeks. You will see wildlife! It is very comfortable for a family hike or for a bike tour. On foot it's an hour walk if your swift, on bike 12 - 20 minutes depending on your speed. You will feel safe but have the thrill of exploring our river and our Indian Heritage.
The Indian Celebration was great. There are food vendors for that week, Indian dancing, stickball games, demonstrations and the museum is always a draw. Be sure to see the twenty minute movie inside the museum. Admission for the Celebration is $6.00 per head. Children are cheaper but don't be too tight, this is fun!
On other occasions, take your own food and water. Insects are not a problem but then that's my experience and subjective opinion! I think admission is free year-round.

Be sure, you can just drive in the gates and park at the museum; it is still worthwhile and a great outing.

My wife and I have taken our children and our home school group here a few times for field trips while studying Indians / Indian history / Georgia history. The Indian mounds and the earthen temple lodge are all neat to see. The Indian museum is also well worth a visit and well done. The kids have enjoyed it each time. There is a good bit of walking but if you go in the Fall or Winter then it's not bad or too hot. We took a picnic each time because there is a picnic area, and the kids enjoyed doing that as well after the field trip and school portion of it. Friendly helpful staff as well.

The beautiful museum offers a 15-20 mins film which gave a great over view about the history of the Mississippians Indians and the "Mounds". Makes the hike around the park more meaningful. The trails are nicely marked and varied. You may take your dog on leash here but they ask that you not climb the mounds with them out of respect. Nice way to spend a couple of hours on a nice day.

Impressive excavations of a site occupied by successive civilizations of indigenous peoples in the area going back thousands of years. A short film intro in the visitors' center sets you up for a very informative walk or drive around the site. A highlight is the restored lodge close to the visitors' center.

Incredible place we had not heard of but are actually so relieved that we found out before missing out that it exists!!! These mounds are unbelievable and historic like crazy!! WHY have we not heard about these?!! Get the word out!!!
DO NOT MISS-HISTORIC!!!!

We had very little time here due to our schedule, but it was well worth the stop. We could have spent a lot longer here. Great visitor's center and a lot to see in "the field".
A definite must see.

My family and I were looking for something to get us out of the house. We chose here because it’s free, the scenery, and history. We walked to view the stairs to view everything from the top of the mounds. Absolutely breathtaking. I must add that it’s a good place if you want to exercise. I do advise be on the lookout for snakes during the warmer mouths and other small animals. Also, they have free clay activities if the weather permits for kids on Sundays during certain months.

My daughter and I love it here. Whether we're going to enjoy the educational exhibits about the life of the Native Americans who once lived there, or to hike one of the many trails, we always have a great time, and pack a lunch to enjoy in the picnic area. Our favorite trail is about 5 miles round trip, and takes you to the Ocmulgee river, with a well shaded bench where you can sit quietly and enjoy the scenery.

Very interesting site including the oldest building in America, an AD 1000 or older earth lodge that you can go into. Well explained with a museum exhibit that shows the story of the area really well. Worth a detour.

Stop in for a couple hours. Watch the film and walk out to the big mound. This is a very little-known part of American history and it's remarkable that so much of this village still stands. The National Park Service does a GREAT job of interpreting this ancient history and putting it in context.

This was the perfect stop to walk around and explore on our road trip from Atlanta to Hilton Head. It's a nice paved path to the mound that is perfect for stretching your legs and there are bathrooms inside. There is a low woven tunnel to enter and then you are inside a small viewing area with glass separating you from the actual floor/walls. Our kids are 4 and 7 and we all loved the mound and the museum inside the visitor center. Just a short 30-60 minute visit but well worth it if you are nearby.

The visitor center gives a wonderful historic timeline with some amazing artifacts. It also has a nice gift shop for some fun gifts for people of all ages. There are a few spots you can drive and stop to explore. We had one family member who has some difficulty walking, but could still see a few of the sites. Quite beautiful. The Earth lodge was accessible with a walker up the long path, then just duck your head and guide yourself in to see the 1000 year-old floor meeting place and feel the air-conditioner on a warm day. The second mound was not manageable to someone who couldn’t climb the 80 stairs, but there was a pretty view from the top. The burial mound can be driven by or stop to sit in ten car a bit. There is also a pretty wall opening you drive through, a little tight for a large vehicle, but a fun experience. Definitely stop by this beautiful place!

This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Mississipian culture. Ranger Jim was friendly, informative and helpful in making our visit pleasant and interesting. For those sensitive to the sun, try to go either in the morning or right before closing. There is very little shade.

Right near Macon and a very quick detour from the interstate. The mounds themselves are not especially interesting, however the museum does a good job of providing a history lesson of the mounds and the people who built them. I did like that the varying informational materials admit when researchers simply don't know why the builders did certain things the way they did. The museum also has an interesting display of artifacts found during excavation of the site. No cost to visit, so you can hardly say it's not worth the price of stopping!

We came through at 8am, but they weren't open until 9am at the visitor center which was ok. We drove around and though a very small park, the views and sounds and overgrown trees were wonderful. It was beat to see that you could have a personal QR-read virtual tour guide which was cool as you walked along the trails. Very peaceful, and you can feel the energy around you from the past. Beautiful. Not a place for someone who is not able to or has trouble walking. However, lots of parking along the way, and a very cool bridge to see.

This was worth the Stop. We came sometime last year and it was closed due to covid but it’s open now. Definitely start at the visitor center and watch the video as well as tour the museum before going out to the mounds. You can do an online self-guided tour through the NPS app as well and we used that to get more info about each of the mound stops. (If using the app, there are 7 stops and the list 3 you can get to by car as they have their own parking lot.) we were there a total of 3.5 hours. It was well worth it.

This is a great place to teach your young kids or grand kids about the American Indians. Having an ancestor that is native American made it even more interesting for my grandkids. We played cowboys and Indians and the other guest on the trails were chasing us. The kids had a blast.

This national monument has walking trails to explore and interesting mounds to visit Definitely see the preserved 1000+ year old floor! The museum tells the story of the area and has a variety of artifacts. Don't miss the short movie that explains more about the history of the people and mounds. I didn't see it my first visit, and was glad I did on my next visit. Oh,this gem hidden in plain sight is also free!

This is a hidden gem of a place. This is a site located south of 23 and north of the Ocmulgee river. The site has many items to see: A visitor’s center, a museum, a walking path, a recreated mound meeting place, several burial mounds and a civil war site. Admission is free except for special events. There is a very cool visitors center. It looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright design. It has a museum, gifts shop and several large displays against the walls as you enter. The staff is very friendly and professional and the displays are very informative. The magic is outside. There is a lot to see. They have a mound that you can go inside and several that you can drive to and climb on top of. Alternatively, you can walk from the visitor’s center all the way to the farthest and tallest mound while crossing a bridge over the railroad tracks. The paths may be challenging for limited mobility people. I was very impressed at how well the grounds are kept and the fascinating history of the site. They have done an outstanding job from the museum to the information signs at the various locations. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the area history.

There is a fascinating history being uncovered at the mounds. Short hiking trails and a road connect the major areas of this site. The significance of this culture is growing as we uncover deeper connections with our native cultures. Bring water, because it gets humid especially in the Summer. Fortunately, the closest mound has AC. Also, the film at the visitor center is worth the time (and allows you to cool off after walking around). Just be careful if you choose to walk down to the lake; there are gators.

Fun historic museum. Has a huge mound where you can climb up to the top and has a great view of the country.

This was an unexpected side trip. Located just east of Macon off I75. Lots of hiking trail. Open and sunny. Rich in ancient US History. Well kept. Very interesting. Wonderful park ranger staff.

The Ocmulgee Mounds is a wonderful place to hike, walk, bike and explore. Hopefully will be a National Park soon. Great, helpful staff. Such rich history. We hold an annual 5K race there and it has wonderful attendance. The Rangers are very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Indian Festival is a great time to show history. Very enjoyable and educational

The scenery and beautiful grounds are enough, along with a nice picnic basket. The spirits that rest there certainly make it peaceful!

Worth the trip to an excellent museum and national monument.. Exhibits and the park offer an historic insight into early American culture and history.
Highly recommend to everyone in search of American history and culture.
Macon, Georgia has a wide variety of historic and entertaining venues.

The Ocmulgee mounds are a must-see while you're in the Macon GA area.
These Indian mounds have remnants that date back before 9600 B.C.E.
The information on the indigenous people that lived here, the sophisticated and advanced nature of their community is amazing.
Glad to see that these burial mounds were preserved out of (some) respect for the Indians and their culture.
Make sure you see temple mounds, but the best site is the Earth Lodge. You can go into the preserved tribal meeting place, see the 1000 year old clay floor and 50 earthen seats where tribal members held council.
The museum is fascinating and staff are very helpful.
Enjoy!

Beautiful place to hike with great sights. The new extension to the Riverwalk is OUTSTANDING!! Lots of wildlife to see.

We had a good hike. Most of it is unshaded but it's fun with sunshine or light drizzles. I recommend going up to the tallest mound. Macon city view is great from there.

The National Park Service has done very nice job maintaining the site and providing extensive information on everything and anything to know about the history of the area and its people. The video and displays in the visitor center are great.

The mounds are an amazing sight,and walking the trails is quite relaxing.

It’s a great video with great exhibits it the visitor center. The rangers are amazing. The walk is great and really worth it. Watch out the heat is no joke so bring water.

This is one of Macon's hidden gems. It is a great way to get the kids to leave their video games at home and get some exercise.

The park has so much to do. The museum tells the story of the Ocmulgee Indians and how they lived. The ceremonial underground mound is amazing to see. It is so well preserved after a 1000 years. The Indian burial mounds are humbling and a wonderful way to honor the dead within the tribe. It is very peaceful and powerful to walk around knowing tribes worked the lands over 1000 years ago. The park has miles of great walking trails full of wildlife. It is a great place to have a family picnic or hike.

A friend told me about an event that would be nice for my child to participate in. I’ve never been here before today, but have heard cool things about it. I planned on letting my child participate in the “kid friendly” event then we’d walk the trails until closing. The area for the event was small. It didn’t accommodate the size of everyone who showed up.
We waited for a little bit Because there wasn’t any space. We were never acknowledged, yet the person hosting this event looked at us like 4 times. I decided to take my child elsewhere. People were still showing up too. It seemed poorly managed. We won’t be returning. I will say my child attended an event earlier this month here and had a great time, but this recent experience was a disappointment.

If you can read and walk this is an interesting self guided tour of ancient Indian tribes and folklore.

A very moving and spiritual place.
My wife has mobility problems, but we were able to cover the majority of the site, thanks to the fantastic paths and walkways.
The views from the great mound on a clear, warm, Georgia day were outstanding.
Informative panels are dotted around the site.
The visitor centre’s museum is excellent.
The rangers and volunteers on duty were so pleasant, engaging and helpful.
The attraction is free, so spend your money in the museum shop 😂🤣

Ocmulgee National Monument is an historic park full of amazing sights. Most people can not believe that this little slice of heaven is right here in Macon.

Been going here with my kids for years. Walking the trails rolling down the grassie hills.Putting quarters on the train tracks and smashing them flat. The yearly Indian festival is the best. The dancing and crafts never get old. History is so much fun to teach and learn with your kids.

I was not familiar with mounds and found this to be a very interesting historical site. The sheer age of these mounds is amazing.

The walking trail was perfect with the hilly ups and downs. Although it seemed a little less maintained. the natural beauty made up for it. We went during March so it was extremely cold, especially when on top of the mounds so dress warmly! The people at the visit information center were very kind and friendly and the center displayed a lot of interesting information about the history of the park.

Totally worth the 4 hour drive from my city to visit this park!

I was a little worried my 10 year granddaughter wouldn't enjoy our trip there. I was wrong.She was amazed at the mounds and the history. Being able to see it in person held her attention far more than reading about it. We both enjoyed seeing the artifacts on display,it's a great collection. The film is very informative, glad we watched it before going to the mounds. The trails are marked very well, and easy to follow. I wish I had allowed more time to spend there. We didn't make it to the boardwalk, but wish we had.

Take the time to visit this National Park to see where people have lived for 17,000 years. The museum shows items that have been found on site. They also have a 17 minute video to share more information. Hours are 9-5:00. There is a small gift shop.

What's a National Monument? It's like a National Park, but does not require a Congressional designation. Regardless of what you call it, Ocmulgee is a great asset of the National Park Service that is operated just like any National Park. There is a visitor center with substantial informative displays inside, a small gift shop, and at least one park ranger to provide more information. The visitor center building itself is a wonder art deco structure. It is showing its age, but is currently undergoing some exterior repair or renovation.

Access is easy, but the route may be confusing, especially while I-16 is under construction. Google Maps got us there without issue. Once inside, there is a long road, aptly named National Park Road that leads to large parking areas for the visitor center and several important sites.

Native American mounds are the highlight of this Park. Some are huge and it's interesting to imagine what inspired the builders to take on the huge projects. Only the restored Earth Lodge can be entered. Two mounds, including the largest can be climbed via wooden staircases. Otherwise, access to the mounts is restricted.

Nature walks through a swamp and wooded areas are another reason to visit. Railroad construction in the late 1800's destroyed some of the mounds and fields that were once part of a village, but the only remnants of railroads are a single track main line right through the middle of the park. There was once a large railroad engine roundhouse in the park, but railroad buffs won't find any remains.

We drove right by Ocmulgee on I-75 / I-16 for many years without stopping. Thanks to positive reviews on TripAdvisor, we decided to stop and check out this National Monument to break up our trip and stretch our legs.

I'm glad we finally took the detour to Ocmulgee. It's only 5 minutes off I-16 and maybe 15 minutes of I-17 when heading toward Florida. The Park makes a great stopping point for anyone travelling through the area. Stretch your legs, get a bite to eat, fill up the gas tank. Restrooms were clean. No food is available in the park. However, there are restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations nearby in Macon.

You are expected to stop and pay a entrance fee at the visitor center, but you could drive right by and see everything for free. Do the right thing!

I'm a Macon native and I still love this place. So do my dogs. It's perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll and the weather is great right now for it!

Ocmulgee National Monument are preserved land with multiple Indian mounds and a nature preserve with walkways and roads for cars. The rangers are great and the visitors center have many displays with details.

I love this place. Recommend it to everyone. Brought my two labs. Walked up down and around about 5 miles. Learned so much about the Mississippian Indians. At the end, when we were thirsty, we found water fountains and one for dogs too. It was awesome! Bought cool things in gift shop too. I’ll most definitely go back.

Small museum site at visitor's center, nice little gift shop. Lovely trails to walk to the mounds, but can drive closer if walking far is an issue - still, some walking and stair climbing, with ducking down to enter some sites, is necessary. We loved it, but neither of us is mobility impaired.

A superb national park site that is an eye opener to the history of this region. The park service staff is very well informed and their passion for the place is palpable. The visitor center offers a full panoply of services and hosts a well stocked gift shop and screens an informative movie. Paved trails leave the center to allow exploration of the park and visits to the mounds. Parking is ample. No admission fee. Information boards explain many features about the mounds and the people who lived there hundreds of years ago. The place impressed me thoroughly and I highly recommend it if you are passing through Macon. I combined my visit with the Cherry. Blossom Festival going on in the city that weekend. The park service hosted an evening exploration of the Ocmulgee Mounds with guides in the evening with visitors carrying lanterns. It was a memorable tour with information booths. The walking paths were lined with small lamps to keep the visitors on track. In the darkness, they offered a mesmerizing scene. The weather was chilly - so come prepared.

Awesome park to learn about the indian culture that existed in the area back in the day. Great for kids (pleanty of room to run around) Great education experience as the park employees are quite knowledgeable and most happy to discuss the history with you. The park runs close to the Omuglee River and just a good time. Great walking and plenty of room for wheelchairs and other special needs. Our family from out of town really enjoyed the visit.

This has got to be one of the most underrated parks in the country! And its free. Jump off I-75 in Macon for an hour and immerse yourself in the life of the original inhabitants of our land going back at least 15,000 years (take THAT outdated history book!). There are great ways to see this park whether you have 1 hour or 3. Duck and tunnell inside the Earthen Lodge, hike a segment of the Bartram Trail along a creek and swamp, trek to the top of the Temple Mound for area views, hike platforms over swamp to the Ocmulgee River, tour the museum, watch the loop video in the theatre, buy a relevant book or t-shirt, picnic, bring your dog, jog a nice loop, etc. By far the top attraction in Middle GA and one of the top in the country! Amazing it’s literally right off the interstate and millions pass it yearly with no clue it’s right there! Just fyi it closes with plenty of daylight left around 6 I believe.

Great place to spend the day outside! There are easy to moderate hiking trails. It is scorching hot in the summer but many trails are in the shade with river access.

While passing through the area, take a quick detour to visit the Ocmulgee Mounds.
There was plenty of parking spaces. There is a visitors center with a small museum that explains the mounds and native culture of the area. There were also bathrooms available. The walk to the mounds is on paved path and isn't very far to walk to the first mound that you can enter. You can then walk from the first mound to another larger mound if you like. Easy walking and not very far.

My wife and I go walking here occasionally and it is always beautiful! The museum is very interesting and they even have a gift shop. Be sure to bring your walking shoes if you want to visit the earth mounds.

We stopped by the park on a Sunday morning. We were helped by the ranger at the visitor center. He gave us some history and laid out a sensible approach to the enormous park. There are many miles of trails and roads that will accommodate any level of experience you might desire.

The history of the park is interesting, although it is also sad as the discoveries were made through the accidental destruction of the area. The displays and the mounds are very interesting and informative. The grounds are beautiful and offer wonderful walks. Be sure and see the ponds and learn about their origins.

The facilities are well done, although as of May'17, there are no bathrooms at the visitor center- only porta Johns. Biking is limited to roads and a few trails.

We love this place! There is so much history @ this monument. There are several mounds that you can walk on & a burial mound. The museum has several rooms of history. Artifacts, pottery & so much more. We love to hike the scenic trails. They offer several special things to do. Guided night hikes, reenactments, classes for kids etc... Great place to have s picnic. If you are in the area it is a must see.

This is beautiful! There is so much history here! You can walk up the biggest mound or just explore the smaller mounds. There is a museum of the area's history and the native Americans that lived there. This might be better for slightly older, as most younger kids might not be very interested. There is also a little gift shop in the museum.

One of the only enclosed mounds that you can go inside in the entire country! The trails are amazing and the museum is great! Don't recommend trails in the heat. Early or late afternoon is perfect.

These Indian mounds were created by the Mississipians. One can go in the ceremonial mound and climb up on the other mounds which look upon the Ocmulgee River. A museum exists to visit. A walking path runs all through the park so wear walking shoes. I felt a very spiritual, calming connection while visiting these mounds.

I've been to the Kolomoki mounds park, but this was much more impressive. The big mound was thoughtfully made accessible with switchback stairs that offered lovely views on the way up to the breezy flat top of the mound. Really, do stop by the visitor's center. They have quite informative and well-made dioramas that bring the ancient people's culture to life.

I honestly wasn't expecting this to be as interesting or as large as it was. They had a great visitor center with displays and artifacts to look at. The employees in the visitor center were friendly and knowledgeable. The grounds were well kept and lovely for a walk to see the mounds. It is a wonderful spot to visit and learn about some history of the area. There is plenty of parking and a nice gift shop.

Great place , opens the door for the long pre colonial history of Georgia. The mounds are even better at dawn or sunset

Ocmulgee National Monument is a great place to visit. The National Monument visit center has a museum and gift shop. There is a map with the different sites listed and the paths to get there if walking (some sites you can drive to then walk up to). The park rangers were very knowledgeable and friendly.

Ocmulgee NM is a beautiful place to have a heart-to-heart with nature. There's a variety of natural environments in the park that are home to a wide range of diverse wildlife. Don't forget the Native American mounds, although they are not the most obvious highlight of the park. The park is well-maintained, and guided ranger-led tours are provided on select days. Be sure to visit the park for special events held throughout the year. Entrance is free unless attending select events.

Travelling north from Florida to Ohio we decided to spend the night in Macon, GA. A quick search of 'Things to do in Macon' brought up the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

Our decision to visit this site did not disappoint. We arrived at the opening time and were greeting by a friendly and informative staff. We were free to roam the grounds and then visit the museum center.

Our only regret is that we didn't plan enough time for our visit. We will return next year on our migrational route and spend a full day at the site.

with out a doubt, the most interesting historical site in the middle ga area. have visited many times over the years and am always fascinated.

We discovered this place by accident while waiting for nearby Fort Hawkins to open. The visitor's center was closed, but the signs in the area did a good job of explaining the various cultures that lived in this region.

My rating is based on the facility being a part of the NPS. Given a system that includes Canyonlands, Cap Reef, Death Valley, Big Bend, Acadia, The Statue of Liberty, etc. it is nice but not really all that special.

There are a few nice trails, but none of them match the offerings and life changing experiences of the bigger parks elsewhere. I do recommend a stop here to at least see the remnants of the 1,000 year old earth lodge. The visitor center is superb and should be given at least a quick run through. Entrance fee is pretty good as it is free :), however, please leave a donation or two in the center as the system is underfunded and these gems belong to not only all of us, but those who come after us.

I was surprised to learn that a special interest group is looking to expand the park and have it named a National Park. Frankly, the terrain is just not special enough to deserve that exalted title and would cheapen those that do (sorry special interest group).

This is worth taking the family to, especially if they're around the early teens age. It's a very good recreation of how the Indians lived in that area. I don't see an older teenager liking it, unless they are into this type history. But if you have younger kids, I'd definitely put this on a to do list.

We visited the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park while driving from Savannah to Atlanta. Macon was a good stopping point, so we checked to see what was in the area. The answer is "not much", but there are a few places of interest. The Ocmulgee Mounds looked interesting, so we made a slight detour to visit.

The park consists of a number of mounds that were constructed by native Americans. Some of them are more than 1000 years old. There is also a visitor center with some exhibits describing the site and explaining its history along with how the mounds were used.

The only mound you can enter is the Earth Lodge. It was interesting to see, though it definitely had a peculiar odor. You can walk on top of the larger temple, but you cannot enter it. There are walking paths and parking areas throughout the park, and it is easy to get around.

Overall, I'm glad we stopped. There isn't a ton to see here, but it's interesting to think about life in the area hundreds of years ago.

A great way to spend a sunny winter afternoon. Be sure and ask the Ranger to view the 17 minute film-an informative narrative about the history of those that settled this area thousands of years ago. Native American crafts are represented in the gift shop. The mounds are well preserved and easy to walk to. A beautiful place to visit!

First off, the welcome center/museum was very nice and staff very helpful. Told history of the natives who settled the area and the culture that created the mounds. Visited the mounds which were very impressive both by their size and function.

this fascinating earth lodge and museum offer a glimpse into the lives of the First Nation people who honored and tended the Earth before America was "discovered." the history-junkie in me loved it! lovely trails, woods and paths are yours to explore. wonderful for families, kids, schools

The ranger in charge today was one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve met concerning Indian history and lore. Amazing site and I wish we had time to walk the 5 mile trail.

January midweek, so not many other people, and recent flooding had closed some of the trails, but even so, a mind-blowing combination of the mound sites themselves and the extensive exhibits in the visitor center. Nicest person in the world on the front desk. It's a full day, absolutely a full day. Take time to feel the presence of the Paleo-Indian, Woodland and Mississippian peoples who lived there. Walk into the reconstructed Earth Lodge. The park is so easy to get to, once you are in Macon. DO NOT miss this.

We attended an Indian festival here with out young sons and had a blast! there were exhibits and shows, museum, film, and more. We've also attended field trips with Kindergarten groups that seemed to really enjoy it as well. Not as much fun as the festival, but still plenty to learn from. Hiking the burial grounds and reading along the trail made it much more educational. A great day trip.

The history is amazing! It is defiantly worth the trip here. Tennis shoes and an early morning trip during the summer is a must. It is a mile long but you will get a workout with the stairs to the top on the mounds. The is so much history here you will definitely be here for a couple hours!

Such a great time walking around the monument and grounds! You can make it as long of a day as you want. Absolutely beautiful and very historic.

A great National Monument to see. Very professional film and museums inside. Great to see the mounds and tour the park by foot also.

By all means visit. Understanding the ancient people who lived here is important to US history. Mounds are accessible, and one has to imagine that this was a much larger complex at one time.

Being from the Midwest I have learned alot about the Mississipean Culture. I loved learning about the culture as it has been uncovered her in Georgia. The museum had tons of great info and also had great activities for the Junior Ranger set. Walking out I loved being able to go into one mound and see the amount of space for gathering. The views were good from the largest mound.

Always a favorite stop for my family when visiting Macon. There is an interesting information center and the opportunity to walk to view the actual Indian mounds. Very enjoyable and educational.

We visited today and arrived just in time for the ranger-led tour of the Earth Lodge. The tour lasted about 1/2 and hour including the walk from the visitors’ center to the lodge. Our guide was very informative and entertaining. Stepping inside the lodge felt just like stepping back in time. Lots of other trails, and other mounds on the premises. The visitors’ center has a short film, and several exhibits spanning the 17,000 years of human history at this site. I would consider this a must-see if you are in the area.

The mounds was a wonderful place to visit. The road is closed right now so everyone walks out to the mounds. If you aren't up for a half mile walk and have an hour to spend then it might not be the best place to visit until the get the park road back open.

Walking up on the biggest mound gives you a great view all the way to Macon and you can see so much. It is a lot of stairs to the top, but worth it for the view.

Great chance to see how ancient folks lived here in GA if you visit the museum in the visitors center. Take a few minutes.

Best part is the whole visit is free.

great little museum about Native American History, modern exhibits and clean bathrooms. The site had a combination of Civil war earthworks and Native mounds. Dunlop mound was a bit underwhelming. The placards were well done and informative. Our tour group did not have time to visit the larger mounds. Very few visitors at the site other than our group. No masks required.

We really enjoyed this National Monument. Nice visitor center and museum. We watched the movie which was also interesting. I typically am not a huge fan of these short films. This one was very informative. Expansive grounds. Good hiking opportunities. Earth lodge and mounds were worth the walk. Lots of activities for kids. Educational and recreational. Quite good!

This is a gem of a place. Admission is free except for special events. There is a very cool visitors center. The staff is very friendly and professional and the displays are very informative. The magic is outside. There is a lot to see. They have a mound that you can go inside and several that you can drive to and climb on top of. We had limited time there but I was very impressed at how well the grounds are kept and the fascinating history of the site. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the area history.

Great treasure. Wonderful to see a time from over a 1,000 years ago. Great history, nice museum, but too walk into the great lodge was amazing. Numerous trails are throughout the Monument offering sites from the area. Spend an hour or a day, it's was very enjoyable and it's free!

We stopped early before the welcome center was open to walk the park. It was quiet and peaceful. From atop the grand mound you could see town. The height is a marvel of the Creek Nation. The Mississippi an Era site is a must see.

We were traveling between Savannah and Atlanta and decided to stop halfway for a break. We are so happy we did! The site is well thought out and you can walk a little or walk a lot at the site. The film is well worth watching and the small museum is of excellent quality. A great way to learn of the Native Americans in this area over the millennia.

My family and I went back-and-forth on if we wanted to stop here on our way to Atlanta, and I am so happy we did! The trees were changing colors, leaves were falling, air was crisp, and history was interesting. I wasn’t really sure if my two little ones were going to be able to do all the walking but they were very excited at all the mounds and nature. The visitor center was fun for them as well as they got to touch animal fur, see what the inside of the mounds were like, look at artifacts,etc. Some tips to remember: walking shoes are needed and watch out for anthills. But a great way to spend an hour or more for free!

This national park is just right for a two to three hour visit. The Visitor Center offers a 20-minute movie that we did first and then walked around the displays. We were lucky to time it so we joined a 30-minute park ranger tour of some of the mounds. She gave a lot of information about the history of the mounds including the Earth Lodge. Then we continued to walk to the Great Temple Mound area before we returned to the parking lot. There is also a gift shop in the Visitor Center. Everyone was very friendly.

I enjoyed the excellent kept park. The entire park is beautiful and very tranquil. I enjoy learning the history behind the Native American mounds and its rituals.

This park does an excellent job of both meeting your expectations (learning about Native Americans and their traditions in a direct way) and expanding your awareness in unexpected ways. The displays of artifacts from this largest archaeological site in the U.S.A. are very engaging and impressive. The Earth Lodge is the most moving site on the grounds. Walking around the mounds is also very informative with the outdoor text panels.

Its a very educational area with lots of trails and nature to see. Very clean park area. The staff was very friendly. A gem of a place.

Whether you're interested in Native American culture, the Civil War, love ancient artifacts or simply want open space for a nice walk, Ocmulgee National Monument delivers. And, it's FREE!
Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Don't miss the presentation. It helps to set up the rest of the visit.
Be warned. It can be very hot and humid. Some paths offer shade, but others are in direct sun. Early morning has worked best for us. Bring water or buy some at the visitors center. Bring bug spray as well. Some of the hikes can be strenuous vertical climbs. Don't despair, there is much to see.

A must see in Macon, Ga!

Fantastic national park not far from the historic downtown area! Prehistoric mounds. Great visitor center and walking trails

This is an okay place to visit with young children. They will enjoy the activities more than adults. I wouldn't make a special trip just to visit th I s place. It's the type of place you should visit if you are going to be in town anyone. Also, it's really hot & lots of walking.

Road was closed for paving so the only way to see anything was on foot. Usually not a big deal but we were not prepared. Flip flops aren't good hiking shoes and there are a lot of stairs, very narrow walkways and hills. Strollers or wheel chairs wouldn't be able to go very far. The view however, once you get to the final burial sites....the view is beautiful!

Beautiful park, excellent Native American history. Mounds and a the Earth Lodge has the original 1,000 year old floor with seats and effigy. 8 miles of trails. Free!

Not good. Place run-down. Nothing to see. Mounds. That is all. Andersonville far more interesting. I was shocked by its ineffable dullness. Awfully boring.

Every September the Ocmulgee National Monument hosts a wonderful festival that is a photographers delight. Lots of colorful, authentic clothing and multiple tribes represented. Take the time to make it a cultural experience and learn from the individuals explaining their heritage. Extremely family friendly.

We happened to find this park while out driving around and it was wonderful. when we pulled into the park we seen 5 deer which made the kids day. The Indian mounds were very interesting and was the best part of the trip by far

Oh my wasn't prepared for that heat....getting to know the history of Georgia is gr8 still got alot more of sight seeing to do can't wait to see everything else

This is a period of Native American history that we don’t hear much about so it is interesting to learn a bit more about it.

The introductory video is a good scene setter and there are excellent displays providing more detailed information of the site. All this really helps to understand the mounds and, in particular the ceremonial earthlodge.

The earthlodge is aligned such that on the equinoxes a shaft of sunlight goes straight through the entrance passage to illuminate the seat of the chief. Imagine him sitting there pre-dawn in the gloomy interior with the other 49 seats occupied by lesser ranking elders of the community. The sun rises and suddenly the leader glows with sun reflecting off a highly polished breastplate and other adornments. At that point he really must have looked like a God to his people!

Apart from the mounds there are some very attractive short walks around the place. It’s not a place to get particularly crowded so it is just a lovely place to go to.

Great place to visit. Good staff. Great running and walking trails. Staff members are helpful and knowledge.

It's incredible to realize a "city" existed here all those many years ago. The view from the top of the greater mound is spectacular and the breeze was much needed on a hot summer day. The paths are well laid out and it's a relatively easy walk. The stairs to the top of the greater mound may be challenging for some but the view is so worth it! The other mounds are clearly visible from higher up. The Earthlodge is beyond belief. The 1,000 year old floor around which important members of the village gathered is original though the outer structure is a reconstruction. We highly recommend a stop here. Oh, and the visitor's center is a work of art, too.

This is a nice historic site. Be prepared to walk! We went for the annual Indian festival, and I would definitely recommended it!

Enjoyable outing for the family and kids had a nice picnic we enjoyed ourselves. Nice trails to walk and the weather was wonderful.

I live in Macon and me and my family have spent many days exploring the Indian mounds. The views are spectacular as are the hiking trails that can take you under Interstate 16 and to the Ocmulgee River. Would suggest coming during the Cherry Blossom Festival when they have evening tours and you might get to hear the ghost wolves, thought to be the spirits of the Indians that were forced from the area.

The area has numerous examples of wildlife, most of which don't want to be seen and you are in no danger of seeing — from bears to gators to wild hogs. They stay to themselves. But birds a plenty. The trails are well marked and the visitor's center is excellent. Oh, did I mention, it's all free?

I just visited (6/22/19) with my native sisters and was amazed by the "energies" we ALL felt! Loved learning more about the Mississippian Culture (my Muskogee/Creek heritage). The park was beautiful! The rain did not dampen our desire and yearning to go visit ALL the 4 major mounds! (it cooled us off). Drew was awesome at the Information center. We will come again! Oh, and it is FREE!! Listen to the 17 (+/-) video in the theater

Located on the eastern edge of Macon, the little-known National Monument Ocmulgee represents civilization which occupied the banks of the Ocmulgee River thousands of years ago. There is no admission fee to this small park, and the visitor's center built by the CCC in the 30s, displays a huge collection of artifacts unearthed in the excavation of the Indian mounds as well as a short film of the history of the region. A short walk to the Great Temple allows visitors a view of the interior of the original earthworks about 1,000 years ago. Other mounds are within walking distance. A park road winds around the large mounds should you wish to drive through the beautiful wooded area. We would recommend this delightful historical park. Elementary school children would find this place fascinating.

Take plenty of water and wear good walking shoes. This place is very large if you chose to tour all the sites in the park. The visitor center is very informative and I recommend you go there before touring the park.

This monument site is full of amazing history, what an eye opener. The displays were very educational along with the short video. Plenty of trails, and amazing temple sites. A must for the history and a must for everyone to spend a great afternoon walking around. Simply amazing.

Heard about this monument and so glad we went. The movie and history stations are excellent. Really a easy hike and it gives you the ability to vision how they build this. A part of our history you want to experience.

Visited October 2016: The Ocmulgee National Monument is in Macon, Georgia just off exit 2 on I-16. The eathworks were built over 1,000 years ago by American Indians during the the Mississippian Period. The size and scope of the Ocmulgee National Monument is incredible with the the Visitor Center museum chronicling 17,000 years of continuous human habitation starting with the Paleo-Indian Period. Four prehistoric cultures (Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) are known to have lived in this area for thousands of years before Hernando Desoto's expedition arrrived in 1540. From the park entrance, you drive past the Dunlap Mound. Once at the excellent Visitor Center it is a it easy walk to the Earthlodge (reconstructed inside) and Cornfield Mound with the McDougal Mound more of a hike. You can continue walking or drive to the parking area near the Trading Post Site, Southeast Mound, Lesser Temple Mound, and Great Temple Mound. There is also another parking area at the Funeral Mound. The modern day decendents of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation now live in Oklahoma.

Ranger in visitors' center extremely friendly and helpful. Beautiful area with great paved walking trails to the mounds. Most are wheelchair accessible but there are a couple of places that are not e.g. going to top of Great Temple mound and going into the underground lodge. The lodge entrance is narrow and very low. At 5' 3" I had to bend over going through the entrance. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hour walk we were able to do at the park. Lots of history here to see and there is no entrance or parking fee

The National Parks are still about the best thing our Government does these days in times of national gridlock. And while the history here and restored mound are very intriguing, the visitor center and associated displays are very dated and even outdated. I really shouldn't complain because of course the site is FREE, and if you're in the area, you owe yourself a couple of hours to look back on the lives of the first and true Americans to inhabit this land.

really nice ranger very welcoming. do take a walk on one of the trails, rather lovely all told. there is no entrance fee

Took a large group here for a tour and the rangers were very knowledgeable. Had a good time walking around, spent time in the museum and watched an interesting video that filled us in on some history. Cool thing to do in Macon.

We were surprised that it was open on thanksgiving. However, one of the staff members indirectly sushed us out at a little after 4.30 in order to close even though the other staff member did tell us we had time to drive over to the other mound to see it.. My elder one who is interested in history was very disappointed.

This is a trip for any history buff. The mounds are beautiful and well maintained. I went with my children and grandmother and we had a blast learning new things.

A moving experience to be taken back to see an underground Indian meeting mound. The clay, the lighting, and all moldings are real. Some historic arrowheads and other items are still periodically found on these historic grounds. Highly recommend this must see in Macon.

I give a five because I believe this place deserve more attention that it receives.
17.000 years of history, a very well maintained museum, many artifacts.

We started our exploration of the site with the video presentation in the visitor's center--very informative and important to our understanding of the site. Next, we walked around the mounds and especially enjoyed viewing the interior of the earth lodge, the ceremonial mound. We then viewed the exhibits in the visitor's center. It is a cultural and historic gem!

I came here under not the best of situations, my best bro who was part native American and a great battle buddy , died 6 months ago, I know he would have loved this place, and cam here to pay homage to my bro.

I didn't know the park was free, which started off great, I went into the gift shop and knew he was there, the whole exhibit was breathtaking, I totally enjoyed walking the park trails and the mounds, eye opening and splendid to behold I thoroughly enjoyed my time . This is what I served 21+ years for out old heritage . I implore my fellow Americans to visit this place .

What an amazing surprise!! We popped in here to spend an hour or so and were completely blown away by the history, the friendly staff, walking trails, history and of course the archeological mounds. This place is one of those WOW sites you occasionally find when traveling. Superb visitor center is the place to start. Get some base information from the rangers, watch the 18 minute introduction movie, wander through a room or two and then walk the trails. Go visit the main Temple mound / not that many steps to the top. After done walking, go back to the visitor center and finish viewing the rooms detailing the history. Fascinating place... a definite recommend.

We didn't know this existed until I read it on Trip Advisor. There are many picnic tables, so bring your lunch and explore the mounds and beautiful scenery.

These mounds are in the middle of the city and they are absolutely amazing! The great mound are some staircases so you can walk to the top and the top has a beautiful 360 degree beautiful view of the city and trees!!!

The unique lantern tour at night during the cherry blossom fest was fun, and not scary. The regular daytime walk was fine too, just be prepared to go up and down steep paths and stairs. Wheelchairs and strollers have a difficult time on parts of the hike.

We love to go see the mounds and visit the museum. It's the best small park in Ga. My nephew wants to go every time he comes to visit. You get history and exercise in the same trip. We love to climb to the top of the highest mound and see the view. Best of all, it's free admission.

My family and I have been the Ocmulgee National Monument on several occasions for the annual Indian Festival (Sep 16-17 in 2017) but this occasion was most special. My 8 year-old daughter was there with me to complete the Jr. Ranger handbook and receive her badge for the National Park. The whole process couldn't have been any better! After she completed the requirements, we entered the visitor's center and were warmly greeted by Ranger Sarah. She then proceeded to check my child's work, explain the places where she erred and educate the both of us about some of the facts that weren't present. After the lessons, Ranger Sarah proceeded to have my daughter raise her right hand and repeat the Jr. Ranger oath. Totally cool! My daughter was ecstatic and is looking forward to our return visit in September. Thank you, Ranger Sarah...the experience was more than worth the trip!

This is an amazing place. We happened upon it while on a road trip from Florida to Illinois. It's beautiful, and we learned a ton. My 5 and 7-year olds loved it. While we were there, we were told about a special lantern-tour that evening. So we went back that night. The tour was amazing! The staff was knowledgeable and entertaining. My kids loved it.

Lots of history in the visitor center, cool mounds to see. Employees in Visitor Center very helpful.

History isn't one of my favorite things. Learning about the creators of the mounds was very interesting to me. To our 12 year old niece just mildly entertaining.

Very interesting and richly steeped in Native American History. Hope you visit when Ranger Jim is on duty; excellent help in understanding the National Monument, and even offered a terrific suggestion for lunch!

This was a pleasant Suprise and not on our itinerary, but glad we stopped. The National Park Service has done a great job of interpretation on the site which is easy to get to and explore. Well worth the time to visit.