Emerald Mound

I have come out to Emerald Mound since I was a kid. Just has a different feeling about it. It's usually empty with a nice walk. I've heard stories all my life about how and why it was there but only just recently learned that the first hill you climb was also part of the entire creation and that on both ends of the mound there was one "the Sun" on one and 1 of 7 markets. Just found it interesting to read the newer updated signs. Good place to go if you just need a quiet moment and to appreciate the community that worked together to create this second largest ritual site in country.

There is no one in the entry. It is a pretty high (actually the second largest mound in US) mound, and the top is flat. The view is great. You can be there after sunset but may not see anything, so recommand you to be there in the daytime.

I definitely recommend stopping by and seeing this world wonder!! It's just unbelievable how this was built and how large it is. It seems to be a large hill or small mount to people who don't know what it is, but once you learn the history of it it'll blow your mind!!

This was a great place to visit. The history learned about the site and how it was and still is used by Native Americans today is encouraging. So much hidden / untold stories about this state and our country. If you get to drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway, put this on your list of stops to see.

There are several stops to view mounds on the Natchez Trace. Emerald Mounds is the largest and most recent on the historical timeline. We arrived at sunset and were blown away by the size and configuration of it. Climb the path to the top of the 8 acre flat mound to see the additional mounds on top. This was the top highlight of our stops on the Trace.

One of the most fabulous Native sites in America. On the Mississippi Mound Trail. A fantastic family vacation 🥳

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."

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

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!