Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park
Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
A National Historic Landmark, the Toltec Mounds site comprises one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Preserved here are Arkansas's tallest American Indian mounds. Three mounds remain where 18 once stood surrounded by an earthen embankment eight to ten feet in height, a portion of which is still visible today. These ancient earthworks are the remains of the late-Woodland thru early-Mississippian Period ceremonial and governmental complex which was inhabited here from A.D. 650 to 1050. The park visitor center features exhibits including artifacts from the site, an A/V theater, and archeological research laboratory. A meeting room and enclosed pavilion (with restrooms) that overlooks the mounds are available for rent. Take a self-guided tour on the 3/4-mile barrier-free trail or 1.6-mile turf trail, or a guided tour by reservation. Park interpreters lead guided tours and programs throughout the week by group reservation and at scheduled times on Saturdays. The archeological site/research station is cooperatively managed by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey. The Toltec Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, a unit of the University of Arkansas system, and its laboratory are housed in the park visitor center. Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park is one of Arkansas's two archeological sites cooperatively managed by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey as both a state park and an archeological research station. The other is Parkin Archeological State Park at Parkin.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
22
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
1
KateS
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States4,829 contributions
Oct 2020
I was underwhelmed. While we enjoyed walking the two trails (which crossed each other several times) & reading the plaques & pamphlets along the way, I was completely surprised at the lack of definitive information. Everything is just a guess. By that, I mean every "fact" had a built-in disclaimer that they really, simply, just do not know. They do not know what each mound was used for or why they are there, & they do not know which tribe(s) of Native Americans used the site. While the Visitor Center museum & displays were interesting & informative, they were predominately about Native Americans in general & discoveries made at locations other than this one. The dug-out canoe on display, while super-cool, is clearly labeled as NOT being related to the mounds or the people associated with the mounds in any way. It came from a completely different set of people in a completely different area! So, while I learned a lot & enjoyed both the museum & the trails, the overall impression was of a lack of substance or meaning relating to this specific place.
Written November 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4320jdfarmer
Indianapolis, IN127 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
We stopped by on our way through Arkansas and were pleasantly surprised at the Park. The main building is quite nice, with very interesting displays. The kids liked seeing the animal pelts and arrowheads the best. There is also a movie that you can watch that gives you a better understanding of what the Mounds are and why they are there. The staff is very friendly and explained to us the different trails around the Mounds. We walked around the Mounds and loved seeing the lake in the back. It was beautiful spot to take pictures. The trails were easy to walk, some of it was paved. There were a few spots that had benches so you could sit down and rest. There is a nice gift shop area and clean restrooms in the main building.
Written August 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sounds like you had a great time! I'm happy to hear your visit was enjoyable and easy on your wallet. With the 1/8 cent conservation sales tax and continued support of Arkansas taxpayers, we were able to discontinue our admission fee a few years ago. Of course we still have a cash resister for selling gifts and snacks along with collecting fees for some of our interpretive workshops and special events.
Written August 17, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Terry B
7 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
The history of the Plum Bayou Indians is interesting and at the same time puzzling . Excellent museum, great staff (Amy was very knowledgable and very personable), self guided tour with the brochure was very informative. Great way to spend a couple of hours soaking up some of Arkansas' ancient history
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry, thank you for taking the time to provide a review. I am happy to hear you enjoyed your visit and found the staff to be helpful. We look forward to you visiting again.
Written July 3, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Linda G
Scott, AR61 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Toltec offers a walking trail around the largest of the many mounds left by the Plum Bayou Native Americans. Along the trails are wayside exhibits explaining the needs of the natives and building of the mounds. Visitor Center offers viewing of artifacts found at the site. Education programs are for all ages.
Written May 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moexplorer
Independence, MO32 contributions
The visitor center offers exhibits and introductory film that explain the history of the area and the Indian mounds (one was used for burials). An asphalt and boardwalk, mile-long trail leads through the mounds and cypress trees growing in the adjacent lake that was once the Arkansas River.
Written August 4, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TallTexWally
Texarkana, Texas680 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
The Toltec Mounds are worth a visit. They are among the largest in Arkansas, if not the largest. The State Park has done a good job in preserving the site. The museum in the visitor center is well done, and goes into detail what archeologists have discovered here. The native Americans were called the Plum Bayou culture, and they were at their peak around 900 AD. The name "Toltec" was first given to the site, because it was first mistakenly believed the mounds were built by indians from Mexico. Historians knew by the latter part of the 19th Century that it was local indians in Arkansas who built them. Farming through the years have destroyed many of the mounds but two of the mounds are quite large and well preserved. After visiting the museum you are given a guide to the Knapp Trail, a paved path that takes you close to the mounds. There's information to read at each marker. For example, at Marker Four you learn that the lake beside the mounds was once where the Arkansas River flowed 4,000 years ago. When the Plum Bayou culture flourished, the Arkansas River was a mile away. Today it is four miles away, which shows how the river channel keeps shifting over time. All in all Toltec Mounds is worth a visit to learn about prehistoric indian society in the Mississippi and Arkansas River valleys.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the excellent review! I'm so happy to hear you had a great experience and enjoyed your visit. You certainly retained a lot of the information we share with visitors! I'm pleased we were able to be a part of your exploration of Arkansas history/prehistory.
Written July 25, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MWBowman
Tulsa, OK128 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
Toltec Mounds is a beautiful and important archeological site. I took my three children there on a Saturday. It is next to a gorgeous lake full of cypress trees. The mounds are very interesting, and there is a detailed guide which you can use as you walk around the site. Furthermore, there are interesting historical place markers. Finally, it is a good opportunity for a healthy walk. This is a great opportunity to introduce children to the rich Native American Heritage of Arkansas.
Written October 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen J
129 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
If you enjoy exploring mounds and a nice nature hike, this is an excellent site to visit. The museum was small but offered insightful information. The trail maps were excellent and offered good reading while you walked on the trails. We only did the 0.8 hike but there's also a 1.6 as well. I recommend that you bring water, put on bug spray, and sunscreen if you do go for a walk. They also offered an educational video but we did not watch it. This is a nice supplemental site if you have been to similar mound sites, like Cahokia Mounds. Overall, if you like Native American history, I recommend visiting this site.
Written June 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry D
Jackson, AL210 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
My husband my and I were looking for attractions along the interstate between Memphis and Hot Springs and found this delightfully fascinating historic site operated by the state of Arkansas. I work for a historic park and so, naturally, this site was interesting to me, but my husband also thought it was a unique gem of a museum and park.
Be sure and tour the small visitor center prior to touring the park and especially make time for the 10 minute documentary explaining the history of the site. It was very beneficial and enriched our experience to have a working knowledge of the mounds prior to seeing them.
The site was interesting, well-maintained and the staff was extremely friendly. Highly recommend if you enjoy history.
Be sure and tour the small visitor center prior to touring the park and especially make time for the 10 minute documentary explaining the history of the site. It was very beneficial and enriched our experience to have a working knowledge of the mounds prior to seeing them.
The site was interesting, well-maintained and the staff was extremely friendly. Highly recommend if you enjoy history.
Written June 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
Cabot, AR223 contributions
May 2016 • Family
My latest trip to Toltec was for a Boy Scout Pottery Merit Badge workshop. Toltec is a great outing. So much history at this site. I love to delve into what we know of the ancient people who used to gather here and speculate about what we don't know. The mathematics of their mount design and layout is unbelievable.
The state park personnel are very friendly and accommodating. They will help make your visit the best possible.
The state park personnel are very friendly and accommodating. They will help make your visit the best possible.
Written May 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there any fishing
Stewart C
Scott, AR
There are not any opportunities to fish in Mound Lake from the park. The archeological site is protected and those protections extend all the way to the bank of the lake. Other nearby public fishing opportunities are available at Willow Beach.
Debbie S
1 contribution
How much walking is ivolved if you just want to see the mounds
Terry T
Sam Roi Yot, Thailand161 contributions
First of all, watch the video in the visitor centre. We arrived early, just after 9:00, and were the only one's there. No more than 10 minutes walk to the mounds, add another 10 to see the lake behind them (well worth it). Take your time and soak up the enormous sense of peace and tranquility there is there. Lots of benches to sit on and simple wonder about their life then.
darlafaye
Burleson, TX2 contributions
Can you still see the Mounds on a Monday since the visitor center is closed Mondays?
Stewart C
Scott, AR
Although the mounds are visible from AR HWY 386, to have a personal and up close experience, I recommend you visit during our operational hours. The park's grounds are closed to visitors whenever the visitor center is closed. I hope this helps with planning your visit and please reach out to me if you have any additional questions.
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Claim your listingToltec Mounds Archaeological State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park
- Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park is open:
- Sun - Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Wed - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park:
- (3.81 mi) Relax in a Pecan Orchard 15 min. from Airport
- (5.49 mi) Willow Beach Recreation & Campground
- (8.91 mi) El Rancho Motel
- (8.65 mi) Newly Remodeled Home on the Arkansas River - 3 miles from Airport
- (9.32 mi) Sunrise Cozy House -Clean ,Private ,Peaceful- 5 min from the airport , UAMS
- Restaurants near Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park:
- (4.12 mi) Charlotte's Eats and Sweets
- (4.89 mi) B & B Grill & Bar
- (8.57 mi) Gautreaux's
- (7.57 mi) Jose's Compadre Mexican Grill Cantina Restaurant
- (7.59 mi) Subway
Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 39 |
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Very Good Reviews | 22 |
Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park Photos | 57 |