Fantastic history of over 10,000 years of Native people living here. 1,000 year old original Earth Lodge floor, Mounds, 6 miles of trails, some paved for bikes and walkers. Museum with exhibits & 2000+ artifacts. Free!
The Ocmulgee National Monument is a wonderful experience for everyone, especially children. You will learn a lot about the culture and history of the Native Americans in Georgia. There are actual monuments in which the Native Americans lived in that you can go into and take a tour. There is dance, food, music, and art, jewelry, etc., displayed that you can purchase at a decent price. It is a true learning experience!
Make certain to go to the visitor's center first and view the short film. Some of the site was destroyed before it was protected, which is too bad. You can enter one mound through a narrow, low passage (but not as low as the Egyptian pyramids, thank goodness) and view the interior floor and surrounding sitting area which is hundreds of years old. There are plenty of trails and benches, as well as some picnic tables.Note: Wheelchairs cannot get into the mound. In addition, you look at the floor through Plexiglass. You cannot actually walk on it.
For those of us who have visited mound sites like Effigy Mounds in eastern Iowa, this offered quite an addition to our knowledge. The museum features many very attractively made displays and the staff, like everywhere I've visited in our national parks or monuments, is extremely helpful. The grounds offer further experiences especially entering the large ceremonial mound several hundred yards from the museum. A great spot to visit.
The first place I take any visitor to Macon. You cannot know Macon until you go and experience the mounds and the surrounding hiking trails. It's history is so compelling it's beauty undeniable. The view of Macon from atop the great temple mound is a must. The site of the annual Indian Festival in September, the nighttime lantern tours during the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring. Many a early morning hike find deer, egrets, heron, hawks, beaver, turtles and more.My favorite place in Macon a place of renewal.
I used to live in Macon and went to the Ocmulgee Mounds from time to time. It had been years since I'd visited and I decided to stop in when I was in Macon on business. I'm glad I did because I saw improvements in displays, walkways, and at the mounds. Staff were friendly and helpful and I left with a much better understanding of what this "attraction" is about.
This park is free, cleaned, great visitor center and an incredible travel to past. You discovered our native Indians lived there. Interesting paths to trail.
Pretty decent visitor center in terms of film and artifacts for such a small monument (1 ranger on duty). A variety of mounds are available to hike to. The earthen lodge being the coolest. You actually get to walk about 20 feet into the entry way of it and look inside. The other mounds are larger, but unexcavated so there is not much to see other than the view from the top. There is however some decent hiking here as well. No major long distance trails, but as a hardwood enthusiast I was able to appreciate the abundance and variety of colorful leaves in the fall.
This monument was a nice place to stop by. It was very big, quiet, and beautiful. We spent over 2 hours here, and enjoyed walking from site to site. Every place was accessible. The park rangers are so kind and informative!