Effigy Mounds National Monument

Effigy Mounds preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Woodland peoples over a thousand years ago on bluffs above the Mississippi River, many shaped like bears, birds, and other animals. The Great Bear Mound stretches 137 feet from head to tail.

Hike to the bear and bird effigies and visit the museum's artifacts. For a challenge, climb the steep bluff trails of the south unit to reach the Marching Bear Group, one of the finest effigy processions anywhere.