Plan a Field Trip

Rangers provide tours, talks, and demonstrations to school groups. NPS Photo   School Field Trips For over forty years thousands of school students have visited the Monument annually to participate in our educational programs. For details on planning a school field trip visit our Plan a School Field Trip page.   Park Visits Programs are based on the ecology of the park and cultural history of the Native American burial grounds. Field trip options include: a ranger-guided or self-guided hikes, a 20 min. ranger talk at Three Mounds, a self-guided short museum tour, or hands-on activity demonstrations such as atlatl spear throwing, casting practice, fish prints, furs and skulls, pottery making with air dry clay. Other trail walks are available that feature trails sloped appropriately for wheelchairs and other mobility impaired visitors.   Trail Hikes A two-mile hike along the Fire Point Trail leads to over 20 mounds, including conical, compound, and effigy. This activity interprets the lives of woodland moundbuilding peoples, their use of and impact on the environment and how this relates to us today. This hike climbs 350 feet to the top of the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. This hike takes approximately 1.5hrs to complete. A one-mile walk on an accessible boardwalk trail along the Yellow River and surrounding wetlands. This walk interprets the ecology of the Yellow river and surrounding forests and offers a great chance to see a variety of wildlife! This walk takes approximately 45 minuets to complete. Ranger Talk at Three Mounds A 20-minute ranger presentation located at Three Mounds. This is preferred for a larger group when fewer staff are available. The ranger talk will provide all the information given on a regular tour in front of three conical mounds close to the visitor center, and groups are encouraged to continue the Fire Point hike self-guided on their own. Museum Tour A self-guided tour of the museum in the visitor center is available. The museum provides both natural and cultural information, as well as history of mound building and the late fur trade in the region. Artifacts are on display in the museum to be viewed by visitors. Hands-on Activities Rangers can provide cultural and natural resource demonstrations and lead hand-on activities depending on staff availability. The lessons listed below take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Atlatl spear throwing Casting practice with poles and lures/fish prints with ink and paper Junior Scientist activities Junior Ranger books Skulls and furs talk Pottery making with air dry clay   In-Class Ranger Visits Schedule a ranger for a classroom visit! We offer a variety of programs that we can provide in classrooms located with 40 miles of the park. Each classroom program takes approximately 30-40 minutes. Available programs are: Wild For Wildlife Students identify a variety of wildlife found at Effigy Mounds by their tracks, furs, skulls, and scat. Grades K-8 Tools of the Trade Students classify replica tools utilized by American Indians during the mound building period. If desired students can have an opportunity to build a small pinch pot from air dried clay. Grades 3-8 Fishing for Fun Students learn about the common fish of the Mississippi River watershed. Students can practice casting for replica fish and make fish prints if time allows. Program requires an open outdoor grassy space or large gym for casting practice. Grades 4-12 Effigy Mounds Past and Present Students learn about the different types of mounds preserved at the monument, mound building culture, and American Indian’s continued cultural connections to the area today. Grades 4-12 National Park Service Career Talk PowerPoint program describing the history of the National Park Service and employment/internship opportunities for young adults. Grades 11-12   Guidelines for Field Trips Ranger-guided programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and generally require at least 2hrs of time at the park.Ranger guided group size is generally limited to 25 students or less (please note 80 total students is the maximum field trip size we can safely host) but may be fewer on days when ranger staffing or space is limited. Group size is kept small enough for everyone's enjoyment and educational value. We have three bus parking spaces, three accessible parking spaces and one wheelchair available for use on a first-come first-serve basis. Please inquire at the visitor center if you need more logistical or accessibility help. Reservations For more information on reserving a ranger conducted program - contact the Monument at 563.873.3491 or email [e-mail]. Entrance to the Monument is free for all groups.