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Devil's Lake Mounds
Date Added: 29th Jul 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Devil''s Lake Mounds submitted by AKFisher on 3rd Sep 2023. Lynx Mound at Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin. Photo credit: Wiki (Chris Light).
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Log Text: Wisconsin's largest state park is very popular, particularly in summer. There were plenty of visitors when I was there. Interesting geology, which I really didn't have time to explore.
As for the effigy mounds, most are well preserved with one or two exceptions and all were built during the Late Woodland period. There are four groups of them remaining, three on the North side of the lake and one single large bird effigy mound on the South end. All easy walk-in access and close to parking. See the official park map and the Wisconsin Mounds web site for locations.
Man Mound Park
Date Added: 30th Jul 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4
Man Mound Park submitted by Flickr on 26th May 2014. At Man Mound Park environmental geology students encountered another manifestation of the earlier Image copyright: stnorbert, hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.
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Log Text: The mound is almost impossible to photograph or video as it is very low profile and eroded. There are warning signs to stay off as they are trying to establish prairie grass growth on the mound and mow around it. Once it grows out a bit, the mound will become more obvious.
You can park nearly at the mound itself so access is not an issue.
Burrows Park Mound
Date Added: 31st Jul 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4
Burrows Park Mound submitted by stonetracker on 30th Jul 2024. As with all effigy mounds, they are hard to photograph. This is the bird's head looking towards the northern wing.
They have finally allowed native grasses to grow on top of the mound, which is good. However, there are still large trees right in the middle of the mound, which isn't so good.
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Log Text: This is in a public park in Madison on the eastern shore of Lake Mendota. A large parking lot provides easy access and the effigy is situated a short walk up the bluff to the east.
Pikes Peak State Park Effigy Mounds
Date Added: 1st Aug 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3
Pikes Peak State Park Effigy Mounds submitted by stonetracker on 31st Jul 2024. Closeup of the river confluence. The flat ridge to the right is the location of the Sentinel Ridge effigy mounds in Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin.
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Log Text: There are 5-6 clusters of effigy mounds scattered on ridges throughout the park.
Two of them are relatively short hikes from the main south entrance parking lot: Hickory Ridge (via Hickory Ridge Trail) and Deer Ridge (behind the campground or via the southern part of the Bridal Veil Trail). Additionally a bear mound and small conical are visible about 200 yds north of the park concession booth via a paved walkway. These are the only ones I was able to visit on this trip as the others are a longer hike.
Most of the mounds in the park are linear or conical. Unfortunately there is no official printed map showing mound locations. However, you can get a copy of a hand-marked map from the visitor center at Effigy Mounds NM.
Governor Nelson State Park Effigy Mounds
Date Added: 5th Aug 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 2 Access 3
Governor Nelson State Park Effigy Mounds submitted by stonetracker on 2nd Aug 2024. One of the conical mounds right on the Woodland Trail. I was able to locate 3 of them.
Unfortunately none of the mounds is well maintained and large trees have been allowed to grow on some of them. Invasive plants will likely overwhelm the rest without a change in policy. In fairness, the park has a history of vandalism, including stolen signs and broken fencing, which makes preservation challenging.
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Log Text: This Late Woodland site is in a state park on the west shore of Lake Mendota near Madison WI. Parking and trail access at the south entrance near Borchers Beach Rd. There are two sites. The conical mounds are 1000 ft north of parking on the Woodland Trail. The large panther effigy is maybe 100 yds north of the conicals.
At least some of the conicals are visible but being rapidly consumed by invasive plants. The panther mound is completely overgrown in summer and I wasn't able to see much. Maybe in fall or winter? There was another restored panther at Camp Wakanda but I was unable to find it.
Aztalan State Park
Date Added: 9th Aug 2024
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 5 Access 4
Aztalan State Park submitted by bat400 on 31st Mar 2013. The largest mound at Aztalan is a "stepped" pyramidal structure in the southwest corner of the stockade surround.
This is a partial reconstruction of the site as found in the early 1800's. By the 1920's there had been substantial plowing of the site and significant damage by "pot hunters" and those simply "quarrying" the mounds for fill dirt and the remains of burnt wattle and daub from the original stockade.
Photo by bat400, July 2010.
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Log Text: A very well-maintained hybrid Late Woodland-Mississippian prehistoric site in Aztalan State Park, Aztalan WI. There are two parking lots. One at the south end of the "marker mounds" at the state park entrance provides short and easy trail access to the northwest platform mound. The other larger lot is accessible via a paved road past the main park entrance and is located close to the southwest "temple" mound via a short trail.
The Princess Mound (which I did not visit) is located behind the museum north of the main park entrance.
Picnic Point Effigy Mounds
Date Added: 6th Aug 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Ambience 3 Access 3
Picnic Point Effigy Mounds submitted by stonetracker on 6th Aug 2024. Map showing layout of the five-mound main group
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Log Text: The mounds are on a peninsula in Lake Mendota on conservation land owned by the Univ of Wisc. They are accessible via the Lakeshore Trail. Parking is available at the trailhead for a fee. The first group of 5 mounds is about a 1/4 mile level walk from the lot, next to and just north of the trail. The last conical mound is another 600 ft east along the trail and just to its south.
Unfortunately site maintenance seems to be cyclical at best. I was unable to find or positively identify any of the mounds due to summer overgrowth, suggesting that non growing seasons may present better viewing opportunities. There was also no obvious interpretation signage. However, Andrew Khitsun (the owner of the Wisconsin Mounds site) has posted a few photos with most of the overgrowth and some trees removed from the mounds. They are undated but I assume they are at least post-2000.
Obviously they have been better maintained in the past than currently.
Nitschke Mounds State Park
Date Added: 6th Aug 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4
Nitschke Mounds State Park submitted by stonetracker on 7th Aug 2024. Mound 9 - Buffalo or Bear. The head and forelegs are in the foreground.
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Log Text: The effigy mounds are in a county park just 200 yds north of the paved road. Ample parking in a dirt lot with a picnic shelter and interpretation kiosk.
Considering that the park is maintained mostly by volunteers, the condition of the site is surprisingly good. About 2/3rds of the mounds are at least somewhat visible and cleared of trees and shrubs. Native long grass has been left on the mounds to discourage walking over them. A short trail system weaves in and out among the mounds and is regularly maintained by mowing. The remaining 1/3 of the mounds still need to be cleared off and the trail system extended to include them. They are mostly in a wooded area at present. Interpretation and signage at each mound is sparse, so I assume this is a work in progress. There is a bit more information at the entrance kiosk.
Effigy mounds by their very nature tend to be low profile and hard to photograph. This is particularly the case at Nitschke where erosion has really taken its toll. So my photos and videos are limited to just a few of the biggest and most visible mounds.
Mendota Mental Health Institute Effigy Mounds
Date Added: 27th Aug 2024
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: United States (Great Lakes Midwest)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jul 2024. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 5 Access 4
Mendota Mental Health Institute Effigy Mounds submitted by stonetracker on 22nd Aug 2024. At the far western edge of the Central Mound group is an unusual panther effigy on a rise of land with a curved, upturned tail.
Difficult to photograph, but the forelegs and hindlegs are on the left and right respectively. Head and tail out of view.
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Log Text: As far as I know, public access to the Mendota Mental Health Institute grounds is allowed without permission, although it is recommended that one stop by the Administration Bldg to check in.
To access the Central Group of mounds, park in the large lot northeast of the intersection of Main Drive & Cinder Drive. It is 200 yd walk from there to the bird effigy mounds (see map) via a paved walkway. The upper panther mound is set apart from the others on Cinder Drive. However, there is no parking at that site and the Cinder Drive lot was under construction as of 2024. But it is a relatively easy walk to the upper panther mound from Main Drive or from the other effigies in this group.
To access the Western Group, continue on Main Drive heading west and take a left onto Memorial Drive. The large conical mounds are about 1000 ft further next to the road on the left at Farwell's Pt. I could only find on-street parking, but there was little or no traffic in that area.
Foxborough Stone Pile
Date Added: 24th Jan 2023
Site Type: Cairn
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 2
Foxborough Stone Pile submitted by stonetracker on 13th Jan 2023. Rock pile built on ground, not supported by ledge or boulder
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Log Text: Site W on published map. Medium aggregate rockpile. A significant bushwhack off of Messenger Rd trail.
Foxborough Prayer Seat (3)
Date Added: 14th Jan 2023
Site Type: Cairn
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 2
Foxborough Prayer Seat (3) submitted by stonetracker on 15th Jan 2023. A modern stomr fireplace and seat close to this site. The intent of this photo is to show evidence of modern usage very close to the prayer seat site, i.e. the little fireplace/niche and the stone seat on supports which I believe are fairly new. We sometimes see modern practical structures around here juxtaposed with possibly more "ancient" structures like prayer seats.
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Log Text: Horseshoe or U-shaped wall of rocks. Possibly a "prayer seat." Considerable bushwhack off Messenger Rd trail. Roughly 500 ft east of the Foxborough Cairn site.
Foxborough Prayer Seat (4)
Date Added: 15th Jan 2023
Site Type: Cairn
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3
Foxborough Prayer Seat (4) submitted by stonetracker on 15th Jan 2023. Site C in archive.org map. Good condition as of 2018.
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Log Text: Horseshoe or U-shaped structure. Possibly a "prayer seat." This is a bit of a bushwhack east of Messenger Rd trail or northeast of High Rock Rd & Megley trail jct.
Foxborough Prayer Seat (1)
Date Added: 15th Jan 2023
Site Type: Cairn
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 2
Foxborough Prayer Seat (1) submitted by stonetracker on 15th Jan 2023. A little more degraded than similar structures in the area. This is Site lowercase a on the archive.org map.
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Log Text: Horseshoe or U-shaped structure. Possibly a "prayer seat." Not far off a side trail, but a long walk via main trails from any of the parking areas.
Foxborough Marker Stone
Date Added: 15th Jan 2023
Site Type: Rock Outcrop
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 2
Foxborough Marker Stone submitted by stonetracker on 15th Jan 2023. Co-located with Foxborough Prayer Seat 1, at Site lowercase a on archive.org map. Thin 2x2 foot pointed rock sitting edgewise over a crack in outcrop. Unclear whether this is natural or deliberately placed.
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Log Text: Either a deliberately placed marker rock or a chance placement of geology/glaciation. Co-located with Foxborough Prayer Seat 1 (see that site for access info).
Foxborough Standing Stone (1)
Date Added: 21st Jan 2023
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 2
Foxborough Standing Stone (1) submitted by stonetracker on 22nd Jan 2023. Another view
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Log Text: Likely Site F on published map (to be confirmed). This is a significant hike from either the High Rock or Thurston St parking lot. It's about a 50 ft bushwhack off the Megley Trail, opposite the Dolmen site.
Foxborough Perched Boulder (5)
Date Added: 23rd Jan 2023
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 3
Foxborough Perched Boulder (5) submitted by stonetracker on 31st Jan 2023. An odd combination of perched boulder and standing stone no more than 10 ft from the propped boulder. The standing stone in particular looks put there by human hands, but who's to say.
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Log Text: If this is the same structure as that on the published map, this was a short bushwhack north off the Megley Trail for me and not a 1/4 mile as described. Needs to be verified. Easiest to walk in via Megley from Thurston St lot.
Foxborough Prayer Seat and Stone Ring
Date Added: 23rd Jan 2023
Site Type: Cairn
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Mar 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3
Foxborough Prayer Seat and Stone Ring submitted by stonetracker on 1st Feb 2023. "Prayer seat" detail
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Log Text: Site is 500-1000 ft north of Megley Trail on a side trail. As I recall it is sitting on a flat stone ledge just above the trail but that needs to be verified. Thurston St lot is best for parking and access.
Foxborough Perched Boulder (3)
Date Added: 27th Jan 2023
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jan 2023. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 2
Foxborough Perched Boulder (3) submitted by stonetracker on 27th Jan 2023. Boulder with one prop stone. The short wall feature is directly in front of it.
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Log Text: Site K on published map.Best accessed from Thurston St lot. About a 1/2 mile east on a side trail that runs off of Megley Trail, then a short 75 ft bushwhack into the woods. The same unnamed side trail goes right by Sites J, S, and L on published map.
Foxborough Perched Boulder (4)
Date Added: 27th Jan 2023
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jan 2023. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 2
Foxborough Perched Boulder (4) submitted by stonetracker on 27th Jan 2023. Wider view.
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Log Text: Site M on published map on small knoll. Access via same unnamed side trail off of Megley as Sites J, S, K, L and Y. After Site L, at the next trail jct, its about a100 yd bushwhack S or SE into the woods.
Foxborough Perched Boulder (5)
Date Added: 31st Jan 2023
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: United States (New England)
Visited: Yes on 1st Jan 2023
Foxborough Perched Boulder (5) submitted by stonetracker on 23rd Jan 2023. Round 3' x 4' boulder with a single prop stone. Appears to be deliberately placed and not natural.
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Log Text: Another visit. No changes, but added a photo or two. I confirmed that this is a short 100 ft bushwhack north from the Megley Trail, which you can see from the site during winter.
An interesting ancillary site very close to the propped boulder, not on published map. See photo.