Effigy Mounds to host a number of events through the early part of February
HARPERS FERRY, Iowa — November 5 | 6 pm Join William Quackenbush to learn about traditional flute making in Ho Chunk traditions. All are welcome to come to the Thursday lecture. To register for the workshop please e-mail EFMO_information@nps.gov. The first 12 people will be accepted. These 12 people will select their cedar wood on Thursday November 5.
November 6 | 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registered participants will make their flutes and learn how to play them.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Colors 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 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.
Old Military Road Hike
• October 25 | 1 p. m. Join Joshua Wachuta, Ph.D. and park rangers to 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.
• NEW November 1 | 9:30 a. m. Kick off Native American Heritage month with a hike to our North Unit’s Hanging Rock and experience this sacred landscape with our park rangers. This hike is approximately 7 miles round trip with steep inclines and moderately rough terrain in some areas.
• NEW November 15 | 2 p. m. Family hike along the Yellow River Boardwalk and then come back to the visitor center to complete a fall nature craft to take home. This hike is one mile round trip and is mostly flat with sidewalk and boardwalk.
Golden Eagle Club
• November 5 | 10 a.m. Come discuss The Mound Builder Myth by Jason Colavito with Dr. Mark Grey. A summary of the book will be given so all are welcome.
• November 19 | 10 a.m. Steve Winter, wildlife biologist at the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge, will give a talk on “Tundra Swans of the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge.” After the presentation, participants can caravan with Steve up the Mississippi River to some of the best spots for observing tundra swans.
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 feet in elevation are steep)
o South Unit hike to Compound Mound (3 miles round trip, first 400-600 feet are steep)
o Heritage Addition to Founders Pond (3 miles round trip, flat)
Save the Dates
• January 29-30 Snow Snake Making Workshop and Snow Snake Festival with Ho Chunk Elder William Quackenbush
• February 20 Full Moon Moonrise Hike
