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Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Designation: National Historical Park

Location: Georgia

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American Indians first came here during the Paleo-Indian Period hunting Ice Age mammals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and people constructed mounds for their elite, which remain here today.

🌤 Weather Information

Macon has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average high temperature ranges from 46 to 58°F (7.7 to 14.4°C) in January and 82 to 91°F (27.7 to 32.7°C) in July. Winters are mild. Temps ranging from 30 degrees to 50 degrees. Spring is mild but wet. Temps ranging from 50 degrees to low 70 degrees. Summers are hot and very humid. Temp ranging from upper 80 degrees to 100 degrees. Fall is pleasant. Temps ranging from 60 to 80 degrees.

🚗 Directions

The park is located in East Macon, along Emery Highway. Enter the park address, 1207 Emery Highway, Macon, GA 31217 to get directions to the site.

Images

mounds

The Great Temple Mound is the largest mound at the park, it stands at 55 feet tall.

Credit: NPS

earth lodge

The Earth Lodge was used as a council chamber for the Mississippian Culture (900-1600)

Credit: NPS

earth lodge floor

The earth Lodge floor is original it was carbon dated to 1015.

Credit: NPS

funeral mound

The Funeral Mound was by prehistoric cultures to bury their dead. Today there are still remains instead the mound

Credit: NPS

spear point

This Clovis point is the first spear found east of the Mississippi River. It was carbon dated to 10,000 BC

Credit: NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
8:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, Feb 21

Moderate rain

Moderate rain

High: 75.2°F | Low: 61.2°F

Humidity: 92%

Wind: 12.1 mph

Rain Chance: 85%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 07:11 AM

Sunset: 06:25 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 66.5°F

Cloud Cover: 85%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Feb 22

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 54.5°F | Low: 37.5°F

Humidity: 64%

Wind: 20.6 mph

Rain Chance: 87%

UV Index: 1.1

Sunrise: 07:10 AM

Sunset: 06:26 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (23%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 43.7°F

Cloud Cover: 87%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Feb 23

Sunny

Sunny

High: 46.4°F | Low: 28.8°F

Humidity: 47%

Wind: 16.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 07:09 AM

Sunset: 06:27 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (33%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 26.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail Park Closure
Due to structural issues, the boardwalk along the river trail is closed until further notice. Access to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and river is not available due to this closure. This closure does not affect access to any of the mound sites.
Earth Lodge is CLOSED 8/18 – 8/29 Park Closure
The Earth Lodge is CLOSED to all visitation between 8/18 – 8/29 during renovations. The area directly around the lodge will be closed to provide space for workers. The main trail can be accessed by walking around the lodge in the grass.
Park Monitoring Winter Weather for Potential Closure on 1/31/2026 Caution
Chances are increasing that winter weather will impact our area, bringing moderate travel impacts. Currently, the park is scheduled to be open 1/31/26, however park staff are closely monitoring the storm and may issue a park closure if conditions deteriorate to ensure visitor and staff safety as they travel home. Updates to park operations will be made on the website and on the park social media accounts.

More Info

River Trail periodically closed under I-16 Caution
The section of the River Trail beneath Interstate 16 is closed during bridge construction when pedestrian safety is at risk and remains open when no significant hazards are present.
Earth Lodge to close for renovations starting 8/18 Information
The Earth Lodge will be closed from 8/18 to 8/29 for renovations. Please plan ahead if you are visiting during this time. For more information, call the park at 478 752 8257.
River Trail periodically closed under I-16 Caution
The section of the River Trail beneath Interstate 16 is closed during bridge construction when pedestrian safety is at risk and remains open when no significant hazards are present.
Delayed opening Jan 18, 2026 due to winter weather conditions Park Closure
Due to the forecasted winter weather in the morning, Ocmulgee Mounds NHP will have a delayed opening on Jan 18, 2026. The park gates and VC will open at 12:30 pm. Staff will assess conditions in the morning and any changes to this plan will be posted to our Facebook page. The park will close at 5:00 pm.

More Info

Opelofa Trail Closed due to Flooding Park Closure
Due to flooding along the Ocmulgee River, the Opelofa trail has been temporarily closed. Please heed all signage and avoid walking in standing water. Be mindful of wildlife that have been displaced to higher ground due to rising waters.
BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail Park Closure
Due to structural issues, the boardwalk along the river trail is closed until further notice. Access to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and river is not available due to this closure. This closure does not affect access to any of the mound sites.
Park CLOSED on Thanksgiving, November 27th Park Closure
Ocmulgee Mounds NHP grounds and visitor center will be closed on Thursday, November 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal operations will resume on Friday, November 28th.

Park Events

Earth Lodge Tour

Join a Park Ranger for a tour of the Earth Lodge!

Learn more about the mound-building culture and see the 1,000-year-old clay floor inside the ceremonial council chamber.

The 1/8 mile walk to the Earth Lodge includes a paved decline and incline which may be difficult for some guests.

The space inside the Earth Lodge is accessed through a 20-foot-long tunnel and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Location: The tour begins at the park visitor center.

Date: Dec 6, 2025 12:00am to Dec 27, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Hanging Craft Program

Join us Saturday Dec 13th at 2pm for our FREE clay hanging craft program! Roll out your clay and stamp it with one of our traditional wooden carving paddles, or use a stick and carve your own design! 

 

**Take home craft project**

Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Native American Games

This fun, active event is a way for kids to learn games Mississippians played 1,000 years ago. The event will be in the green space next to the visitor center parking lot.

Date: Dec 14, 2025 12:00am to Dec 14, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Dunlap Guided Ranger Talk

Ever wonder how was the land used after the Muscogee (Creek)'s forced removal to the west? Find out all about it with a Park Ranger on this hybrid talk-and-walk. The talk will be at the outdoor classroom, with the Park Ranger delving into this often-missed portion of history hidden behind the mounds.

Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Kids Pottery Program

Join us to learn how to make pottery using the American Indian coil method! Children may create their own clay pot that they can take home.

Date: Dec 21, 2025 12:00am to Dec 21, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Native American Games

This fun, active event is a way for kids to learn games Mississippians played 1,000 years ago. The event will be in the green space next to the visitor center parking lot.

Date: Dec 27, 2025 12:00am to Dec 27, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Earth Lodge Tour

Join a Park Ranger for a tour of the Earth Lodge!

Learn more about the mound-building culture and see the 1,000-year-old clay floor inside the ceremonial council chamber.

The 1/8 mile walk to the Earth Lodge includes a paved decline and incline which may be difficult for some guests.

The space inside the Earth Lodge is accessed through a 20-foot-long tunnel and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Location: The tour begins at the park visitor center.

Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 31, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Native American Games

This fun, active event is a way for kids to learn games Mississippians played 1,000 years ago. The event will be in the green space next to the visitor center parking lot.

Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Dunlap Guided Ranger Talk

Ever wonder how was the land used after the Muscogee (Creek)'s forced removal to the west? Find out all about it with a Park Ranger on this hybrid talk-and-walk. The talk will be at the outdoor classroom, followed by a 1/4-mile walk to the historic and scenic Dunlap house, with the Park Ranger delving into this often-missed portion of history hidden behind the mounds.

Date: Jan 11, 2026 12:00am to Jan 11, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Kids Pottery Program

Join us to learn how to make pottery using the American Indian coil method! Children may create their own clay pot that they can take home.

Date: Jan 17, 2026 12:00am to Jan 17, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
1207 Emery Hwy
Macon, GA 31217

🏤 Mailing Address:
1207 Emery Hwy
Macon, GA 31217

📞 Voice Phone: 4787528257

📞 Fax Phone: 4787528259

✉️ Email: ocmu_administration@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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