About Cahokia Mounds
Around 1100 CE Cahokia was the largest city in North America north of Mexico, home to perhaps 15,000 people or more. Its builders raised over a hundred earthen mounds, from small burial mounds to Monks Mound, whose base covers about 14 acres. A grand plaza, a wooden palisade and rings of tall posts organized the city around ceremony and the sky. The city declined after 1300, yet its scale still astonishes those who walk the plaza.
The rebuilt post circle called Woodhenge marks sunrises at the solstices and equinoxes, and public gatherings are held there at those times. Mound 72 revealed elaborate burials linked to cosmology and power. Today many Native nations, including Osage and other descendants, regard Cahokia as an ancestral place, so walk the paths with respect and avoid climbing anywhere except the official Monks Mound stairs. From the top of the mound you can see the St. Louis skyline.
What to see
- Monks Mound stair climb
- Grand Plaza
- Woodhenge reconstruction
- Interpretive Center exhibits
- Mound 72 trail
Visiting Cahokia Mounds: practical guide
- Best time
- April to October
- Hours
- Grounds open daily in daylight; Interpretive Center hours vary
- Entry
- Free; donation suggested
- Dress code
- Walking shoes and sun protection
- Nearest airport
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 30 km
Tips from experienced pilgrims
- Attend a Woodhenge equinox sunrise gathering
- Stay on marked paths across the mounds
- Allow half a day for the trails
Festivals and special days
- Equinox and solstice sunrise observances at Woodhenge
Etiquette for visitors
Guidance drawn from Mississippian Religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.
- Do not climb mounds unless stairs are provided; many contain burials.
- Remember these are sacred ancestral places for living Native nations.
- Never collect artifacts; it is illegal on public land in the United States.
- Respect any tribal events and follow organizers' photography rules.
- Use interpretive centers to learn the perspectives of descendant communities.
Location map
Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cahokia Mounds?
Cahokia Mounds is in Collinsville, Illinois, United States, North America. GPS coordinates: 38.6604, -90.0622. The nearest airport is St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 30 km.
What is the best time to visit Cahokia Mounds?
April to October
Is there an entry fee for Cahokia Mounds?
Free; donation suggested Opening hours: Grounds open daily in daylight; Interpretive Center hours vary
What should I wear when visiting Cahokia Mounds?
Walking shoes and sun protection
Which religion is Cahokia Mounds sacred to?
Cahokia Mounds is sacred to Mississippian Religion, Native American religions. Archaeological ruins. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
