Ocmulgee National Monument Georgia

Ocmulgee National Monument was established to preserve a period of historic times and people that have left behind their archeological and geological presence in the region. Ocmulgee National Monument covers roughly 700 acres of land and is one of the smaller national monuments. Many centuries of Southeast culture are preserved at the monument. The culture that once lived in the area built various architectural structures including wooden buildings, burial mounds, and temple mounds. The mounds are interesting lodges constructed within the earth. The circular earth lodges were used as the venue for ancient ceremonies and meetings. Early archeologists have visited the area over the years to research what the mounds can tell the world culturally and historically.

Ocmulgee National Monument is located in central Georgia along the Ocmulgee River. The river is located on a unique stretch of land that extends from South Carolina to Alabama. The monument and area is named after the river which is an ancient Hichiti word that means "boiling water." The closest city to the site is Macon.

Many visitors to Ocmulgee National Monument are enthralled with the walking trail available to visitors. One of the trails is over six miles and winds through the upland forests, open meadows, natural areas, and wetlands. The natural beauty that is seen on the trail entices many visitors to explore the monument. Visitors to the monument are particularly interested in exploring the prehistoric trenches, burial, and temple mounds. Because of the vast vegetation and expanse of wildlife - the visitors who take the trail are advised to stay on marked areas in order to avoid snakes, fire ants, ticks, and poison ivy. A rich variety of plants and wildlife live in the monument area.

Ocmulgee National Monument is equipped with a Visitors Center for tourists who want more detailed information either before of after exploring the monument. An orientation film called "Mysteries of the Mounds" is an interpretive movie that reveals geological and historical facts. The Visitors Center is also accessible to the hearing and vision impaired. The orientation film is captioned and there are braille transcriptions of the monument's story in the center. The most educational feature of the Visitors Center is the Discovery Lab, which is used by teachers and group leaders that want to provide a hands-on learning experience.

Ocmulgee National Monument is open all year from 9AM - 5PM. There are no fees to enter the monument grounds. Ocmulgee was designated as a National Monument in June of 1934 but was not listed on the National Register of Historic places until 1966. Today, Ocmulgee National Monument is operated by the National Park Service. Volunteers, organizations, and an association called the Friends of Ocmulgee Old Fields have a mission of preserving, protecting, and participating in the general upkeep of the monument grounds. Each year, well over a hundred thousand people come to the monument to pay remembrance to the cultures that once lived in the area and have an up close view of well preserved earth lodges that were constructed centuries ago.