Atop a 500 foot bluff (1,130 foot elevation) is a breathtaking view and the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. Pikes Peak SP is named after Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, whom was sent by the government in 1805 to select a site for a military fort. Pike chose this site but the government built the fort across the river. Pikes Peak officially became a state park in 1936.
A half-mile wooden boardwalk guides one down to Bridal Veil Falls. On the way to the fall, there is a Bear Mound on the left side. This effigy was built by ancient American Indians of the Woodland Culture, who inhabited the area from 800-1200 A.D. There are 63 mounds in the park, most of them conical or linear in shape. More on this later
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| Our campsite with W/E/S |
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| Confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers |
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| Bridal Veil Falls |
Effigy Mounds National Monument was established as a National Monument in October 1949. Located at the park entrance, the visitors center contains museum exhibits and a book store. The park has 14 miles of hiking trails. There are no paved public access roads in the park.
Effigy Mounds National Monument contains 206 known prehistoric mounds of which 31 are in the form of animal effigies. Others include conical, linear, or compound mounds. Dome shaped conical mounds were built by the Woodland Indians about 2,500 years ago. By 1,400 years ago in the Late Woodland period area Indians built effigy mounds for possibly religious reasons or clan symbols. Around 850 years ago the building of effigy mounds ceased maybe due to the transitioning into larger permanent villages.
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| Three conical mounds |
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| Bear Mound located in Pikes Peak SP |
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