Emerald Mound

This is one of those places the experience is truly dependent upon the person. History does not always present itself with a rush of excitement or a spectacle to behold. Driving up to the Emerald Mound, one might think to themselves, "Look, a hill covered with grass. How quaint," and then wonder why they made the trip. This is where imagination is key to the experience. Imagine this place a thousand years ago. Imagine the indigenous people and their culture and how vastly different it is from today. We are standing in the exact same place they were. Take the time to read about it and then decide if standing on hallowed grounds aren't worth more than just a grassy hill.

Free entry with lots of posted historical facts before entering the mounds. Plan a 15 - 30 minute stop as there isn't much to do at the mound, but walk up, take a look, and head out. Kids wanted to get in and get out. There is one big mound, I believe it said 8 acres, with two varying size mounds on top. It wasn't my or my kids' cup of tea, but it was a neat historical site. 4 Stars because the grounds seem to not be very maintained. The grass was high, steps were removed for top mound (was told they previously had steps there), and there were ant piles everywhere on the "walking path."

An ancient Indian mound. This is the second largest mount in the US. Ceremonial remnants of native American culture from the pre Columbian tribes that lived in the area.

This and other Mississippi mounds are important to learn about Indian civilization in the 1300s. They built this huge mound as ceremonial site.

We stopped by the Emerald Mound while driving up the Natchez Trace today. It is an impressive site with only two others competing for size. It says the second largest mound but in my opinion it should say the second largest surviving mound as the Troyville mound was larger and taller but was unfortunately destroyed almost a hundred years ago. The site appears to be well maintained though we did not climb to the top of the mound.

Beautiful with good information available on site, free entry.

"It will knock your socks off." This is what I was told by my archaeology professor, Jessica A. Kowalski, before my trip down to Hattiesburg this weekend to check out The University of Southern Mississippi. I am currently an undergrad at the University of Arkansas, and USM is where I intend to pursue a Master's degree. This statement was made immediately following a recommendation that I visit Emerald Mound while I am in the Natchez homeland, and I have to say... ...Dr. Kowalski was absolutely correct! I visited Emerald Mound earlier today, and I absolutely LOVED it! It was INCREDIBLE! My passion for Southeastern archaeology originated with American Indian mounds, and Emerald Mound is the ULTIMATE mound. I know that Monks Mound exists, and I HAVE seen it, but THIS is just on a completely different level.

This is the second largest Native American mound site in the United States, so it is a must see! It is very peaceful and a short drive off the Natchez Trace, but a great stop. I enjoyed climbing up to the first level of the mound and looking out. A nice place to spend a bit of time and read up on the mound building culture of these tribes.

This is one of those places the experience is truly dependent upon the person. History does not always present itself with a rush of excitement or a spectacle to behold. Driving up to the Emerald Mound, one might think to themselves, "Look, a hill covered with grass. How quaint," and then wonder why they made the trip. This is where imagination is key to the experience. Imagine this place a thousand years ago. Imagine the indigenous people and their culture and how vastly different it is from today. We are standing in the exact same place they were. Take the time to read about it and then decide if standing on hallowed grounds aren't worth more than just a grassy hill.

I think most people in the United States know about ruins in the southwest. You may have seen ancient pottery and figurines in museums. You've probably heard about the Navajo, Hopi, and other cultures of that region. The Natchez culture is not unfamiliar, either, but do you know about the mounds scattered in the southeast and the larger ancient Mississippian culture? It was new to me not that many years ago as I first saw pottery of this culture in a museum. I have wanted to see more but there doesn't seem to be a lot of pottery remaining from this period. What about the mounds? Well, what are essentially man-made hills aren't as visually compelling as a desert cliff dwelling, right? It explains why so few tourists visit. Emerald Mound is the second-largest mound in the United States and was an important ceremonial center dating from 1250 to 1600. There is some good information posted but this site is crying out for an interpretive center that could really help tell the story of this ancient culture and bring it to life.

In two words, minimalistic and charming. You can complain that it's just a grassy hill, but there's something geometric and harmonious about it all. If I were in that tribe long ago, something would just feel right in performing ceremonies here. Most people who visit Natchez don't come to see this in particular, but they should take the extra hour or so to drive over and take their time.

A few miles after kicking off on the southern end of the Natchez Parkway in Natchez, Mississippi, you'll see a sign for Emerald Mound, the second largest Native American Mound in the country (the first is located in Illinois). The Mound is a national landmark with several pieces of signage and educational information at the site. The Mound is an easy 15 - 20 minute pit stop with a collection of informational signs to sharing the history of the site and area. The path is handicap friendly until you reach the top level which requires steps. If you have pups in the car with you, this also makes for a great pit stop to stretch your legs for a bit or pack a picnic. It's mostly a grass mound but soaking in the history of how it all started makes it worth the pit stop.

At first glance, this is just a grass covered hill. That's what my daughters said when we drove up, "It's so hot, and it's just a grass covered hill." But there is more here than meets the eye. Emerald mound is a man made hill, created by the Natchez people more than 500 years ago as a ceremonial center. It's the second biggest Native American mound in the country and the biggest in Mississippi. Several panels at the site help visitors envision what it would have looked like at that time and it's quite impressive. The mound is topped by two smaller mounds. Practical tips: You can check on the NPS website to make sure the site is open. We visited on a Friday in July and were the only people there. Plenty of parking and the site is just a short walk uphill. You can walk up the hill, but you aren't supposed to climb the smaller mounds (although a path in the grass showed that many have.) Entrance is free. Like my daughters noted, there is no shade and it can be hot. To find the mound, take the exit off the Natchez Parkway at mile marker 10. Follow Emerald Mound road for 1 mile. Stay straight, do not follow the larger 553 route to the right. We didn't see a sign at the turn off, and our cell reception was spotty, so we drove quite a few miles down 553 before we realized our error.

Well, it was what it was. A large grassy Indian Mound; but, being the second largest in the United States, it was a very significant and overall "very cool" place to see! Good amount of "self-guided" information provided; however, it could have used a little more. It was fun to be able to climb up to the top of the Mound and "lookout" on the trial provided and in general a nice, convenient, educational stop along the Trace. However, no restrooms or water provided so be prepared!