An ancient, sacred, large platform mound at Aztalan State Park.
Sacred Ground & Effigy Mounds Of Wisconsin
Native American history runs deep within Wisconsin. Well known Native American peoples throughout our history and state include Menominee, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Potawatomi, and Ho-Chunk (Hocak - Winnebago). Many of the lands they inhabited included sacred burial and effigy mounds. It is estimated that there were originally more than 15,000 mounds in the state at one time. Today, only thousands remain. They can be found in nature preserves, state, and local parks.
Burial mounds, of course, are considered sacred, and protected, land. Just as cemeteries are considered throughout our state. The mounds themselves are made in a variety of shapes - from conical, to animal shaped - deer, birds, bears, and panthers, for example. The amount of detail presented at each park, about the history of the mounds can vary. Some of the parks and preserves have worked with the appropriate Indian Nations to preserve, and present information about the mounds, the land, its people, and its history.
I've found many of these spaces to be some of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have visited. Lizard Mound State Park was stunning this past fall, with its falling autumn leaves defining the shapes of the mounds. John S. Garman Nature Preserve, in partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation, and Wisconsin Hocak artist Christopher Sweet, created some of the most beautiful educational displays within the preserve, and surrounding the sacred mounds that I have seen. They illustrate beautifully the lives and history of the people who once lived there. Christopher Sweet also recently created beautiful new signage and displays for Indian Mound Park at Lake Koshkonong.
There are many more historic, sacred sites across the state. I hope to visit more of them in the future, to learn more about the history, and the culture of Native people and their lands. I present just a quick summary here of eight that I have visited in recent years. I hope that you will find them intriguing, and worth taking a trip to witness their beauty for yourself.
Currently, there are 11 official Tribal Nations in Wisconsin. Their tourism bureau offers much to learn, see, and experience in our state.
If you want to learn more, visit their website - Native American Tourism of Wisconsin.
Burial mounds, of course, are considered sacred, and protected, land. Just as cemeteries are considered throughout our state. The mounds themselves are made in a variety of shapes - from conical, to animal shaped - deer, birds, bears, and panthers, for example. The amount of detail presented at each park, about the history of the mounds can vary. Some of the parks and preserves have worked with the appropriate Indian Nations to preserve, and present information about the mounds, the land, its people, and its history.
I've found many of these spaces to be some of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have visited. Lizard Mound State Park was stunning this past fall, with its falling autumn leaves defining the shapes of the mounds. John S. Garman Nature Preserve, in partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation, and Wisconsin Hocak artist Christopher Sweet, created some of the most beautiful educational displays within the preserve, and surrounding the sacred mounds that I have seen. They illustrate beautifully the lives and history of the people who once lived there. Christopher Sweet also recently created beautiful new signage and displays for Indian Mound Park at Lake Koshkonong.
There are many more historic, sacred sites across the state. I hope to visit more of them in the future, to learn more about the history, and the culture of Native people and their lands. I present just a quick summary here of eight that I have visited in recent years. I hope that you will find them intriguing, and worth taking a trip to witness their beauty for yourself.
Currently, there are 11 official Tribal Nations in Wisconsin. Their tourism bureau offers much to learn, see, and experience in our state.
If you want to learn more, visit their website - Native American Tourism of Wisconsin.
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LIZARD MOUND STATE PARK - Farmington (Washington County)
Lizard Mound is a 22-acre historical park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and stands as the best preserved effigy mounds in the state of Wisconsin. It was first designated as a state park in 1950. Management of the park was taken over by Washington County in 1980, then returned to the state DNR in 2022. The park is beautiful in all seasons, but I highly recommend a visit during fall. This past October we visited, and it was simply stunning in autumn color. The fallen leaves accentuated the sacred mounds so beautifully. Trails are easy to walk, and it's generally a very quiet, peaceful park to enjoy. Although it is part of the state park system, currently entrance is without fee or park sticker required. The main parking lot is closed during winter months, but parking by the front entrance and walk-ins are allowed. Hours: Daily 6 am to 11 pm |
The beauty of autumn leaves accent the sacred burial mounds along the trails at Lizard Mound State Park.
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JOHN S. GARMAN NATURE PRESERVE - Waterloo (Jefferson County)
Garman Nature Preserve is 46 acres of woodland, walking trails, and sacred Native American burial mounds. The scenic, glacier-made hills climb upwards, toward the top for a view of the 22 conical burial mounds that line up alongside the walking trail. These sacred mounds were built by ancestors of the Hocak (Ho-Chunk) tribe. Typically round and dome shaped, they are usually about 10-20 feet across, and vary from 2-8 feet in height. The time frame of the mounds can be traced back to between A.D. 550 and A.D. 800. As you walk the grounds you will pass oak, hickory, cherry, and maple trees. Some pines and spruce trees are scattered throughout as well. Some of the native plants and wildflowers along the trails are Mayapple, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Geranium, Violets, Canada Anemones, Lady Fern, and the rare, protected Yellow Giant Hyssop. On our walk in late summer, we viewed Joe Pye Weed, Spotted Touch-Me-Not, Woodland Sunflower, and Blue Cohosh. Features at the preserve include educational displays, created by artist Christopher Sweet, nearly two miles of trails, suitable for hiking, bird watching, and snowshoeing. Viewing of 22 Native American burial mounds at the top most area of the hill, a covered picnic shelter, restroom, and parking lot. Benches are stationed throughout, along the trail routes. Some of the trails can be a bit steep and rocky, but are definitely manageable. I took along a walking stick, and it came in handy at a few of the steepest spots. A parking lot is available. Entrance to the preserve is free. Hours: open daily 6 am to 7 pm |
Several educational displays, with artwork by Wisconsin Hocak artist Christopher Sweet, line the trails at Garman Preserve.
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HIGH CLIFF STATE PARK - Sherwood (Calumet County)
High Cliff State Park was officially opened in 1957, but its history goes back much further. With stunning views of Lake Winnebago, the cliffs of the park were formed by the settling and hardening of limy ooze at the bottom of the Silurian Sea, going back 400 million years ago. The cliffs, often called "the ledge" are part of the Niagara Escarpment. In addition to the escarpment, there is an ancient history of Native American effigy mounds, and a limestone quarry. Out of 30 sacred effigy mounds, nine remain in High Cliff State Park. You can view these along the Indian Mounds Trail on the upper section of the park. The first mound, of a large panther, is about 285 feet in length! Signage along the trail defines the shapes of the mounds. Among all this history and scenic beauty, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Hiking trails, a beach for swimming, horseback riding, fishing, archery, winter skiing, camping, biking, boating, picnics, a 40-foot observation tower with incredible views of the surrounding areas, and the beautiful Lake Winnebago. Entrance Fee: Wisconsin State Park sticker required Hours: Open Daily, 6 am to 11 pm |
The beauty of the Niagara Escarpment and nine effigy mounds are some of the highlights along the trails of High Cliff State Park.
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SHEBOYGAN INDIAN MOUND PARK - Sheboygan (Sheboygan County)
This natural and historical resource, is a sacred burial ground to members of the Effigy Mound People. Estimated to reside here from 500-1000A.D., the 18 mounds were known as the Kletzien Mound Group. In 1927, the Milwaukee Public Museum staff opened, studied, and partially excavated some of the mounds. Mound shapes include birds, reptiles, deer and other animals. In 1966 the park was established as a means of preserving the land, heritage and history of Wisconsin's Native American people. There are two separate trails here. One that follows the marked effigy mounds, and a separate nature trail that follows the path down a stairway, through wetlands, along Hartman Creek, and back up the hill to the remaining portion of the trail. My visit here was in late November, so not much fall color left. But it's on my list for next spring and fall. I expect it's a great spot for bird watching, and the fall color should be amazing. Entrance Fee: None Hours: Open daily from 4 am to 10 pm Parking: Parking lot available |
There are 18 historic, sacred, Native American effigy mounds within Sheboygan Indian Mound Park.
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NITSCHKE MOUNDS COUNTY PARK - Burnett (Dodge County)
Nitschke Mounds Park is 54 acres of prairie, woodland, and, is home to a pre-historic Native American archaeological site with 37 visibly remaining burial mounds. Research estimates there were originally about 100 burial mounds within this park and the surrounding area. The park is located near the center of Dodge County (and adjacent to the Wild Goose State Trail), just west of Horicon Marsh. The mounds themselves are believed to have been constructed around 800 AD - 1100 AD, and represent one of the best surviving examples of the Mound Builders culture that once occupied the area. They resemble in shape birds, deer, buffalo, turtles, panthers, canines, and more. There are detailed signs of the parks history posted in the picnic shelter, along with trail information. There are interpretive signs along the trail as well. At approximately a mile long, the trail winds its way through prairie, woodlands, past a pond, and circles back to the shelter area. A portion of the trail is covered in wood chips, though the area by the pond can be a bit flooded after a good rain. The trails are an easy walk, though there are not any all-access areas. Fees: No Entrance Fee Parking: Parking lot available Hours: Open Daily Dawn to Dusk |
Nitschke Mounds County Park is home to 37 pre-historic visible remaining sacred burial mounds.
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AZTALAN STATE PARK - Aztalan (Jefferson County)
Aztalan State Park spans 172 acres along the Crawfish River near Lake Mills. The ancient Aztalan village is found within the park. These ruins were once settled (around the year 900 A.D.) by a Native American culture known as the Middle Mississippian Tradition. Some of the features built by this historic people were large, flat-topped pyramidal mounds and a stockade of vertically set logs surrounding the village. They hunted, fished, and farmed on the site, and lived here until approximately 1200 A.D., when the land was abandoned. The reason for departure still remains a mystery. The park, which features three remaining pyramid-shaped platform mounds, was declared a Wisconsin State Park in 1952. Further to that, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 Other features include many walking trails, plenty of flowers, plants, trees, birds, and wildlife. Exceptional bird watching can be found here. There are two spots for putting in with a canoe or kayak. Fishing along the river here often yield northern pike, catfish, and walleye. Entrance Fee: State Park sticker required Hours: Open Daily 6 am to 10 pm Parking: Parking lot available |
Ancient large Native American burial mounds inhabit Aztalan Village at Aztalan State Park.
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DOROTHY CARNES PARK - Fort Atkinson (Jefferson County)
Dorothy Carnes Park is a 512 acre conservation park in Jefferson County, including nearly 9 miles of hiking trails, biking trails, cross-country skiing trails, effigy mounds, a State Natural Area, campgrounds, picnic areas, a reservable picnic shelter, and a great observation deck for viewing wildlife. There is an ADA accessible limestone trail to the observation deck. A fenced off turtle-shaped Native American effigy mound is located along one of the walking trails. A detailed sign is in position, so you won't miss it. Sadly, there is not any further information detailed here about the mound. Between the prairie trails, woodland trails, and Rose Lake, there is plenty of opportunity for bird watching here. Access to the park is provided on the Eastern and Western portion of Rose Lake, with parking provided at several locations. The eastern portion of the park includes an ongoing restoration of a log-cabin, along with multiple farmstead buildings, and several walking trails. Fee: No Fee Required Hours: Daily 4:30 am to 10 pm Parking: Parking lots available |
A singular turtle effigy mound remains on site at Dorothy Carnes Park.
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INDIAN MOUNDS PARK - Fort Atkinson (Jefferson County)
Wisonsin has many parks and grounds that are home to historic Indian Mounds. Jefferson County is home to the Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds and Trail Park. The park has a group of 11 mounds estimated to be about 1500 years old. The mounds vary in shapes of animals, birds, and conical mounds. They vary in length from 75 to 222 feet, and in width of 15 to 30 feet. Each mound has a sign detailing the shape. The woodland trail itself is an easy hike at under a mile. The park is a great spot for bird watching. The day we were there we saw a multitude of American Robins, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Least Flycatchers. Recently artful signage was added to the park by Wisconsin Hocak (Ho-Chunk) artist Christopher Sweet. The artwork details what life would have been like for the original inhabitants of this land, and illustrates the sacred meaning of the burial mounds. A detailed, artful kiosk with a park map, and illustrations of the shapes of the mounds was also added at the beginning of the short woodland walking trail. Welcome additions to a beautiful, peaceful, and sacred space. The park is open daily, dawn to dusk. There are a couple picnic benches, but no other amenities on site. |
Lake Koshkonong is home to 11 Native American sacred effigy mounds.
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All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2023 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
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