Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is one of the Nation's best-kept secrets, but not for long.
With plans to designate it as America's newest National Park, now is the time to visit. Learn about the indigenous communities that call this region their homelands and observe remarkable mounds that date back thousands of years ago!
As Published In TIME magazine, "The Worlds Greatest Places of 2025"
'The Peach State may have been the fourth to ratify the constitution in 1788, but its human occupation dates back at least 17,000 years—when the original Mississippian people arrived after the last Ice Age and occupied the area for millenia. The mounds they built, which are currently a national historic site that includes a distinctive...'
The Next National Park
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is on its way to becoming America’s 64th National Park and Georgia’s first. The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative is the driving force behind this amazing effort. They want to help preserve the mounds and the surrounding wilderness for future generations - a place to hike, canoe, fish, hunt, bird-watch, reflect and appreciate the deep history of the Muscogee people. Check back to stay updated on the effort to protect a treasured place where people have lived for more than 17,000 years.
Watch ONPPI Director of Advocacy Tracie Revis' Ted Talk which discusses why the designation is so important for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's citizens!
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THEN & NOW
The region along the Ocmulgee River saw over 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. In the 18th century, this area was made up of around 60 towns and formed the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. With the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Muscogee Nation forcibly relocated in 1836 to Oklahoma, to the region now known and recognized as their capital, Okmulgee. The Muscogee Nation are the descendants of the Mississippian people who constructed the mounds thousands of years ago, seven of which have been preserved at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon. Between 1933 and 1936, the largest archeological dig in American history took place at Ocmulgee which uncovered 2.5 million artifacts. This helped place together a timeline of the people who lived on the Macon Plateau. Today, local organizations such as the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative(ONPPI), Ocmulgee Mounds Association(OMA), Visit Macon, and elected officials are working with The Muscogee Nation to tell the story of the people and land accurately and respectfully. When the park is designated as a national park status, 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.
When you visit the park, there are 8 miles of trails interlaced with lush forests, wetlands, and wildlife for you to discover. Explore the park's visitor center to learn more about the culture and heritage of the region or view some of the artifacts recovered from the thousands of years ago.
Annual Events
Every September, indigenous communities and visitors gather at the Ocmulgee Mounds for the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration which celebrates Southeastern Native American culture. Traditional vendors, food, demonstrations, dance and activities make up the two-day festival. Transportation during the celebration is easy thanks to shuttles that drive visitors to the park and back!
The Lantern Light Tour, annually held in the Spring during the International Cherry Blossom Festival, offers a rare look at the mounds. Grab a lantern and stroll along the luminary-lined path from the Visitor Center to the top of the Great Temple Mound. The mound overlooks downtown Macon's nighttime cityscape and is a stargazer's dream spot thanks to a beautiful view of the night sky with minimal light pollution.
