Effigy Mounds to Host a Number of Events Through October
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HARPERS FERRY, Iowa — September 12 | 7 p. m. The public is invited to join this special presentation on bats and bat conservation. Biologists from SWCA Environmental Consultants will give a presentation on general bat biology and discuss how bat surveys are conducted.
The public will also be able to see and touch the netting and radiotelemetry equipment. The public will be able to observe the nets and any bats that are caught that evening. The biologists will show participants how the bats are handled and what measurements are taken.
ACTIVITIES DURING NATIONAL PARK WEEK AUGUST 22-30
Marching Bears Hike
• August 22 | 9:30 a.m. Join park rangers to hike to the Marching Bears mound group in our South Unit. Meet the ranger at the Day Use area along Highway 76 and the Mississippi River. The hike is approximately 4 miles round trip with a steep incline to get to the top of the bluffs.
Science in Action: Think Like a Citizen Scientist
• August 22 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join park rangers and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois on our North Unit Prairie as you learn to identify invasive plants, collect data and assist the park and Wild Spotter (www.wildspotter.org) in tracking changes in our environment. Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts can earn their Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey badge by registering at Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
National Park Service Birthday Party
• August 25 | 1 p.m. Join park rangers for a piece of cake to celebrate the 110th birthday of the service. Stay and explore our museum and our hiking trails.
Great American Expedition – Junior Ranger Day
• August 29 | 9:30 a. m. – 2 p. m. Come join park staff as we celebrate the National Park Service’s long tradition of protecting and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources while celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Earn your Effigy Mounds Junior Ranger badge by participating in a series of fun activities – atlatl, hiking, and more. At noon we will all gather for a picture with the Freedom 250 Expedition flag. All ages are welcome.
UPCOMING FALL EVENTS
Fall Bioblitz/Monarch Tagging
• September 19 | 10 a.m. – 2 p. m. Join park staff and subject matter expertsfrom around the community as we tag monarch butterflies for Monarch Watch (www.monarchwatch.org). The event will be on the park’s north prairie off Smokey Hollow Road. Learn more about the prairies and other pollinators as well.
Railroad ExplorerJunior Ranger Day
• September 27 | 10 a.m. – 2 p. m. Ever wonder about the railroadsthat follow the Mississippi River on both the Iowa and Wisconsin sides of the river? Join park rangers to learn more about the history of railroads and how they changed the landscape and the people. All ages are welcome.
Thisisthe Route of My Forefathers: The 1837 Ioway Map
• October 4 | 1 p. m. Come join William Green, Ph.D. as he discusses his new book about the 1837 Ioway Map. This map was created by the Ioway during the removal to document their traditional lands. Dr. Green and the late Lance Foster, former tribal historical preservation officer for the Iowa of Kansas and Nebraska
spent over 30 years carefully studying this map and its significance for the history of the Iowa.
Fall Colors Hike in the Heritage Addition
• October 10 | 1 p. m. Come join a park ranger in an approximately 4-mile hike in the heritage addition. This hike is along the old county road with little to no elevation.
Marching Bears Hike
• October 17 | 1 p. m. Join park rangersto hike to the Marching Bears mound group in our South Unit. Meet the ranger at the Day Use area along Highway 76 and the Mississippi River. The hike is approximately 4 miles round trip with a steep incline to get to the top of the bluffs.
Old Military Road Hike
• October 25 | 1 p. m. Join Joshua Wachuta, Ph.D. and park rangersto hike to hike the Military Road in the South Unit. Dr. Wachuta will discuss the relationship of this road to the Treaties of Prairie du Chien and the 1830 Indian Removal Act throughout the hike. Meet the ranger at the Day Use area along Highway 76 and the Mississippi River. The hike is approximately 4 miles round trip with a steep incline to get to the top of the bluffs.
2026 HIKING CHALLENGE
• Participate in our 2026 hiking challenge and earn a patch. Just take a picture and show it to a ranger.
o North Unit hike to Twin Pikes(3 milesround trip, first 400 feetin elevation are steep)
o South Unit hike to Compound Mound (3 milesround trip, first 400-600 feet are steep)
o Heritage Addition to Founders Pond (3 miles round trip, flat)
Save the Dates
• November 6-7 Traditional Flute Making Workshop with Ho Chunk Elder William Quackenbush
• January 29-30 Snow Snake Making Workshop and Snow Snake Festival with Ho Chunk Elder William Quackenbush
• February 20 Full Moon Moonrise Hike
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds, including some in the shape of animals. The monument is located three miles north of Marquette, Iowa, and 22 milessouth of Waukon, Iowa, on HWY 76 and is one of 430+ national park sites. For more information call (563) 873-3491 ext. 123 or visit
the park's website at www.nps.gov/effigymounds or visit the parks Facebook page at www.facebook/EffigyMounds
Celebrating Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary
The National Park Service is playing a leading role in the celebration and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. These efforts support Executive Order 14189 -Celebrating America's 250th Birthday, which callsfor "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026."
Throughout the country, national parks will host hundreds of 250th anniversary programs, events, and exhibits, including many sites with direct connections to the formation of the country.
About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
