Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center — Attraction in Prairie du Chien

Expect a good, long walk if you would like to view any of the actual mounds, which are all on the hilltops; however, they are worth the effort. There is also a nice handicapped accessible trail that is pleasant and scenic if you are looking for a shorter, gentler walk. You won't see mounds on this walk, as it is through the lowlands, but it is enjoyable with a bridge that crosses the Yellow River. On this walk, you may see ducks, geese, birds, squirrels, and perhaps even a turtle, frog, or glimpse of a beaver, if you are really lucky. There is a nice visitors center at the trail heads. It has modern restroom facilities, an educational film about the mounds, a small museum section, and small gift shop. There is always a ranger on duty to answer questions during the center's operating hours. You can feel the still, sacredness of the place, especially up around the mounds. When you look out over the Mississippi and Yellow River here, you can almost see and hear the native people hunting mussels, building fires, and going about the daily routines of life. The spirit of the people who built the mounds still dwells...

The views are spectacular, the museum is small but thorough at explaining what a mound is and how they are arranged and what is in them. There are extensive trails that could be done in a day...but most don't. There are good views available for a one hour hike out and and an hour hike back. It is a few hundred foot height trail start but then you are on a plateau. The climb is gradual with a beautiful forest environment surrounding the trail on the way up. When you get up on the plateau there are wonderful views up and down the river. It was interesting that the mounds were aligned to point at the sun at the equinox, solstices, and the midway points between these. Knowing when to plant crops was important to the Indians of the Upper Mississippi. Recommended that you hike to the Twin Scenic Views which are up and down the river. If you take kids keep track of them... there are several steep deep drop offs just behind the...

This is a unique place, run by the National Park Service, with a great Visitor Center and museum, along with a few mounds that don't require a lot of climbing of a fairly steep trail. However I have made that climb, and could do it again, even though I am almost 77, and it is well worth the effort. The Effigy Mounds themselves are incredible, as are the views of the Upper Mississippi Valley from the edges of steep cliffs, which have good fencing to keep idiots from falling off. The staff is wonderful and helpful, and many good books are available for purchase along with other items. This is worth going well out of the way for. I try to take visitors there as well as kids and grandkids of friends and relatives. I never get tired of it. The National Park Service should be funded better instead of some of the silly things government...