Everything you need to know about Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Why you should go to Ocmulgee

Inhabited by indigenous people for 12,000 years, the Ocmulgee National Historical Park (in Macon, Ga.) is home to the only known spiral mound in the United States and a restored Earth Lodge, where important tribal meetings would have taken place. The park also has more than two million artifacts––the largest collection found in any national park––on display in the museum, including pottery shards and Muscogee Creek clothing from the 1800s.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation lived in the southeastern region of the United States until the Indian Removal Act of 1830. They (and four other tribes) were forced to leave their ancestral homes to live in a government-mandated territory west of the Mississippi River between 1830 and 1850––also known as the Trail of Tears. The displaced Muscogee (Creek) people journeyed to Oklahoma, and today, Ocmulgee is the Indigenous tribe’s capital and also serves as their seat of government.

But Muscogee (Creek) citizens still reside in Georgia, where local organizations are working with the tribe to push federal legislation to grant Ocmulgee National Historical Park national park status. If and when it happens, the Muscogee Nation will co-manage it, making it the first time in history that a tribe that was once removed from the land will help operate the national park.

Where to find the best views in the park

The best way to see the park is from atop the Great Temple Mound, which offers views of the Ocmulgee River and beyond. Less than a mile from the visitors center, the mound is on the Main Path and is only accessible via three sets of stairs that run along one side of the mound. It is not accessible to wheelchair users. The Opelofa Trail is the best way to see the park’s wetlands area along the river, especially if you’re interested in spotting wildlife such as the waterfowl.  

Where to find the park’s best trails

Ocmulgee currently has eight miles of trails, most of which are open to the public. The most popular trail, especially for first-time visitors, is the Main Path. The 0.5-mile downhill trek runs from the visitors center to the Great Temple Mound, which was hand-built using mud from the Ocmulgee River. Along this path, visitors will see the Earth Lodge, the Lesser Temple Mounds, and a trading post site, where the British bought and exchanged goods with the Indigenous people.

The Heritage Trail (1.75 miles) is the park’s bike trail and its longest in length. It starts behind the visitors center and continues along the northern boundary of the park. Cyclists can peddle their way to the Ocmulgee River on this trail.The first mile of the trail is wheelchair accessible, and for an alternate entry point to this trail, the Clinton Street foot gate is open during park hours.

The 0.5-mile River Trail runs behind the Great Temple Mound and follows Walnut Creek until it reaches the Ocmulgee River on the west side of the park. Although currently closed, the boardwalk along River Trail is perfect for a serene stroll with the exception of the chitter of wildlife. Stay alert and watch out for alligators because they have been spotted in this area.  

The best spots to see wildlife 

Located in the middle of Georgia, Ocmulgee is a biodiverse park, home to over 170 bird species and 35 reptile species, such as alligators, turtles, and and snakes like water moccasins. The Clay Pond wildlife viewing area is home to the Eastern towhee and egret; so, bring your binoczulars. If you’re into fishing, you will more than likely find the Altamaha Redeye Bass (that come here to spawn) as well as the Ocmulgee Shiner in the Ocmulgee River. 

Must-do Ocmulgee excursions and activities

The Earth Lodge
Every Saturday during spring and summer, the park rangers offer a guided tour of the Earth Lodge. This lodge was an important ceremonial center and was reconstructed following the archaeological digs of the 1930s.  

Visitors Center's Museum
The Art Moderne-style visitors center features a museum––the best place to start your visit. It features 2,000 artifacts found during the 1933 archaeological dig and there is also a replica of the Earth Lodge, especially for wheelchair users who can’t go inside it. There’s also a 17-minute film that can be viewed upon request detailing the site’s history. 

Lantern Light Tours
During the last week in March for Macon’s annual International Cherry Blossom Festival, the park offers Lantern Light Tours. Interested visitors can grab a lantern and experience a different side of the park at night via an illuminated path.

Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration
In September, plan a trip around the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration, an event that draws people from across the U.S. In previous years, the annual gathering has featured Native American storytelling, a Choctaw youth stickball demonstration, and Indigenous performances, which has included the Muscogee Creek Stomp Dancers and the Mvskoke Hymn Singers.

Best things to do for families

Like with other national parks, the Junior Ranger program at Ocmulgee is popular with kids. Children complete a booklet using information gathered in the park. The booklet features activities to spark a child's creativity to draw their own pottery design or to complete a Muscogee (Creek) language word search. When finished, kids can return the booklet to a park ranger or mail it in to receive a badge.

The seasonal Saturday programming for kids includes a pottery class. Children learn the Native American coil method to create their own clay pot and or they can engage in active Indigenous activities or games like stickball.

Where to stay

Hotels
Downtown Macon has several hotel options. Hotel Forty-Five is a boutique hotel that pays homage to the city’s music history with a wall of music memorabilia in the lobby. It also has a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and a coffee shop. The closest hotel accommodations to the park’s entrance, the Macon Marriott City Center is the city’s luxury hotel option, with large pet-friendly rooms and suites, an indoor pool, and Vintage Restaurant.

Camping 
Although the park doesn’t have any camping facilities; there are plenty nearby. Dames Ferry, near High Falls State Park in Juliette (Georgia), is a 30-minute drive from the park entrance and located on Lake Juliette. It has both tent and RV sites plus a boat ramp. Another option also in Juliette, Towaliga River Retreat has 14 cabins on stilts, a bunkhouse, a lodge for groups as well as tent and RV camping sites. Guests also have access to the Ocmulgee River for boating and fishing. 

Here’s what else you need to know

Entering the park: There is currently only one entrance to the park. It's on the right side of the road at the third light on Emery Highway.

When to visit: Consider visiting on the weekends in the spring and summer when most of the regular park activities and events are offered. The summer months can be very humid, and the park has very little shade so bring water and a hat. For more comfortable weather conditions, the fall is the best time. If you only pick one time of year to go, it should be during the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration, usually held the second week in September.

Closures: Some of the trails are occasionally closed for repairs if the river is high. Check the official Ocmulgee website or stop by the visitors center for the latest updates. 

Fishing: Fishing is permitted within Ocmulgee from the banks of Walnut Creek and the Ocmulgee River, but it is not permitted on the bridges, boardwalks, or in Clay Pond. There are over 31 varieties of fish in the park, including largemouth bass and the Ocmulgee shiner. Make sure you have a Georgia fishing license, which can be purchased online. Georgia residents pay $5 for a one-day license and non-residents pay $10. 

Swimming: No swimming is allowed in the Ocmulgee River due to the presence of alligators. 

Remote control aircraft: No drones or unmanned aircraft are permitted in the Ocmulgee or any national park. 

Are pets allowed: Pets are allowed but must always remain on a leash. Only service dogs are allowed in the visitors center.

How accessible is Ocmulgee

The Ocmulgee Visitor Center and museum are wheelchair accessible. If you need to borrow one, the center has them available to loan. The trails vary in their accessibility levels. The unpaved trails like the River Trail feature terrain best for a power chair. Although you can drive directly to the site instead of taking the trail, the top of the Earth Lodge is not accessible to most wheelchairs and stairs are required to reach the top of the mounds. Several of the mounds can be viewed from below from the paths. The Heritage Trail is partially accessible. 

As with other national parks, color-correction eyeglasses are offered to color-blind visitors to use when reading the information panels, and the park orientation film has closed-captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.