Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, located in Collinsville, Illinois, not Mississippi, is a fascinating site for those interested in ancient Native American civilizations.


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Summary

It was once home to the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the site’s 80 mounds, including the towering Monk’s Mound and the Woodhenge ceremonial circle, as well as the Interpretive Center, which houses exhibits and artifacts from Cahokia’s past.

Some good reasons to visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site include the opportunity to learn about a lesser-known but incredibly important part of American history, the chance to see impressive archaeological structures and artifacts, and the beautiful natural surroundings.

Specific points of interest to see include Monk’s Mound, which stands at 100 feet tall and was once the center of the ancient city; the Woodhenge, a circle of wooden posts believed to have been used for astronomical observations and ceremonies; and the Interpretive Center, which provides a wealth of information about the site and its history.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was inhabited from about 700 to 1400 CE and that it covered an area of approximately six square miles. The site was likely home to as many as 20,000 people at its peak, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time.

The best time of year to visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. Summer can be quite hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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