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Effigy Mounds National Monument – EMNMsign📷 Jonathunder, Public domain
Editor's pick

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Harpers Ferry, IA

History

Over 200 ancient mounds, some shaped like bears and birds, on wooded bluffs above the Mississippi. The Fire Point trail climbs to river views in about an hour.

Nearest town
Harpers Ferry, IA
Category
History & culture
GPS
43.0887, -91.1853
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Iowa’s Driftless bluffs and Norwegian Decorah – A river running through a lush green forestPhoto by Niko Vassios on Unsplash
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Iowa’s Driftless bluffs and Norwegian Decorah

133 mi8 stops3 days

Nearby

Pikes Peak State Park – A river running through a lush green forestPhoto by Niko Vassios on Unsplash
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Mount Hosmer Park - panoramio© Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Dunning’s Spring – Ice Cave Decorah IA 063© Karen Noecker · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum – PainterBernatzMill© Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

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Campsites nearby

  • Homestead CampgroundCampsite
    8 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument · 109 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Gateway Campground and ParkCampsite
    11 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument
    ElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Broken Paddle Lodge & RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    17 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Waukon City Park CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument · 28 pitches
    ElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Red Barn CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    19 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Elkader City Park CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from Effigy Mounds National Monument · 100 pitches
    ElectricityDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Iowa · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Effigy Mounds National Monument?

Effigy Mounds National Monument is in Harpers Ferry, IA, at GPS 43.0887, -91.1853. It is about 3 mi from Prairie du Chien.

Can you camp near Effigy Mounds National Monument?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Bloody Run Park, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 37 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Effigy Mounds National Monument?

Effigy Mounds National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Iowa’s Driftless bluffs and Norwegian Decorah.

What is there to see near Effigy Mounds National Monument?

Places worth a stop nearby: Pikes Peak State Park (6 mi), Mount Hosmer Park (19 mi), Dunning’s Spring (34 mi) and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum (34 mi).

When is the best time to visit Effigy Mounds National Monument?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)