アラマキー郡周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ11

In northeastern Iowa, Effigy Mounds National Monument protects over 200 prehistoric earthen mounds, many depicting animal forms such as bears or birds. These were constructed between 500 BC and 1200 AD by indigenous moundbuilders of the Woodland period—some as burial sites, some with ritual significance. The site lies above the Mississippi River in a geologically unique region that remained ice-free during the last ice age and was settled early on. Today, the preserve is part of the National Park Service and an important site of cultural remembrance.

The visitor center is a great place to begin your exploration of Effigy Mounds National Park. There is an exhibit that describes the natural and human history of the area. There is a small bookstore. And if you are into collecting National Parks cancellation stamps, you can also get those. In addition, this is the starting point for all the trails in the North, South, and more recently acquired Heritage areas of the park.

The Effigy Mounds Twin Views have two different viewpoints, each with its own bench. This highlight is located at the southern view.

The Third Scenic View trail is a grass path that descends a quarter-mile-long gradual hill and ends at an overlook of the Mississippi River. Along the way, it passes a linear mound, a bear effigy mound, and a few conical mounds.

The Effigy Mounds Twin Views have two different viewpoints, each with its own bench. This highlight is located at the northern view.

I found this fascinating bit of history about Nazekaw Point on the Effigy Mounds National Monument Facebook page: "The town of Nazekaw: Did it exist? In 1856, two speculators from Prairie du Chien, Bernard W. Brisbois and Herculus Dousman, purchased property at the mouth of the Yellow river from the federal government. The speculators created the paper town of Nazekaw (also known as Nazeka and Nazekaw) on the south bank of the Yellow River, and sold the surrounding lots to farmers. Multiple sources indicated the town included a post office, stockyard and gristmill between 1858 and 1862; however, other sources claim this is a “mythical” town that was only laid out on paper. We may never know if it did exist, but if visitors hike our South Unit trail, they can visit Nazekaw Point, which is a beautiful overlook of the mouth of the Yellow River and think about what might have been."

The hike to Nazekaw Point from the Effigy Mounds National Monument visitor center is 2 miles roundtrip, 350 feet elevation gain, 1 hour. This hike features a view of the Mississippi River. Hikers will pass one conical mound, one bear-shaped mound, and two linear mounds.

The Yellow River Boardwalk Trail leads down the hill from the Effigy Mounds National Monument visitor center, through a tunnel under State Highway 76, through a riparian wetland, and onto a bridge that crosses the Yellow River. There are lovely views of the confluence of the Yellow River with the Mississippi River, and wildlife viewing is good as well. While there, we were entertained by a Red-headed Woodpecker (see iPhone photo) who almost seemed to purposefully greet and keep us company as we walked along the trail. Completing the Yellow Boardwalk Trail earned an Effigy Mounds National Monument Hiking Challenge patch (See photo), celebrating the monument's 75th anniversary.