Indian Shell Mound Park — Attraction in Dauphin Island

Easy dirt/shell trail around ancient indigenous Indian “shell mounds” that once served as a popular seasonal settlement for the native peoples many 1000s of years ago. Now a protected cultural and nature preserve with natural forest area that serves as a stopping area for 1000s of migratory birds. A great little spot for birders. The trail around and through the shell mounds can be muddy especially in the inner lower “bowl” area. You have to imaging the ancient shell mounds all around the rim of the bowl as the forest is now overgrown with little or no maintenance except for the actual main trail. There is a small natural estuary stream that goes to a small pond where there the trail becomes a wooden board walk. Look for whistling ducks in the trees nearby. We saw summer tanagers, kentucky and hooded warblers, red - eyed , white - eyed, yellow throated, and bells vireos. Lots of benches to sit to watch birds or simply to rest and contemplate. No facilities. No...

This place is beautiful, just like the rest of the island. However, we came with the idea we were going to see shell mounds. After we got there and walked the trail, I felt a bit silly- those mounds were made very very long ago. Of course they would be covered in vegetation! However, knowing that they are there buried under the growth is pretty cool, and you can see the occasional oyster shell laying around. It's a great spot for birders! I would've loved to just sit on one of the benches for a long while to see and hear what birds were around, but we just didn't have time. If you are a birder, you should plan to hang out for a while. Bonus: on the back of the bird board (people note down what birds they have seen there and when!) there are 2 very well done color pencil...

The old Google maps location had it at DeSoto drive which is a dead end and not the entrance. The actual entrance is in the curve of Iberville Drive North of Cadillac Drive. This park is gently managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and is a historic Indian Oyster Shell Mound. The entrance is along a bend in the road and visitors are strongly encouraged to park off the main road due to frequent boat trailer traffic and vehicle travel coming from the Marine Resources Division located on the back portion of the Indian Shell Mound Park. The forested area surrounding the park is also a frequent stop for bird enthusiasts and ornithology groups during...