Effigy Mounds National Monument

This national monument is free, dogs are allowed on the trails, the parking lot is paved. The monument protects ceremonial and burial earthen mounds Native Peoples made. The first three circle mounds you can access via a sidewalk/boardwalk. All other mounds have to be hiked to the top of the bluff to see. The trail is wide enough for 2 people and has a very nice layer of mulch so even after a rain it is not very muddy. The north unit has bear mounds and circle mounds. The south unit has the marching bears. With an hour you can see some circle mounds and one bear mound at the north unit. If you have all day you can hike the entire north and south units (we have done this and it was amazing) The only restroom is at the visitor center so plan wisely.