Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park has 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. Four prehistoric cultures have occupied this land for thousands of years before the invitation of European settlers. Ocmulgee is the ancestral homeland of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation who now resides in Oklahoma.

Southeast Mound is a unique archaeological site composed of numerous ridges and mounds with a variety of building-like features which stick out from this prehistoric village. It dates to the Middle Woodland period, around 400 BCE and was constructed by pre-Columbian Native Americans who lived in the area at the time. Excavations have discovered an abundance of artifacts within the mounds like stone tools, pottery sherds, shell tools, steatite vessels, clay figurines and much more.

The Great Temple Mound is a national landmark that has stood the test of time. It stands 20 feet tall, making it an impressive sight to see. For thousands of years, this mound was an important part of the lives of Native Americans. Intricate artifacts and tools used by the Muscogee people have been found in and around it, further highlighting its importance in their culture. According to archaeologists, it was likely built as part of a large settlement between 1000 BC and 700 AD.

Fort Hawkins was a fort built in 1806–1810 in the historic Creek Nation by the United States government under President Thomas Jefferson and used until 1824.

This grand and iconic venue has been celebrated for more than sixty years due to its stellar hosting of live events and performances. From Shakespearean plays, to chart topping singers and bands, to classic rock & roll celebrity acts, the Coliseum continues to draw massive crowds from miles around. Its charming atmosphere gives off a truly unique aura of entertainment, which many enjoy whenever they enter its doors.

Carolyn Crayton Park is an oasis of beauty and natural wonder. The park encompasses a large area full of lush forest trees and wildflowers as well as wide open grassy fields. Visitors to the park can enjoy many leisurely activities from fishing in nearby ponds to taking a stroll along the nature trails. The park is full of amenities including picnic tables, restrooms with running water, playgrounds for children, and a boat dock for easy access.