Mounds State Park Trail Mounds State Park Trail

I took a recent trip to Mounds State Park in Anderson, Indiana - one of twenty-five state parks operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Indiana State Nature Passport

Indiana State Nature Passport

Mounds State Park is part of the Indiana State Nature Passport! Check-in and explore participating locations throughout the state to earn great prizes! The more you visit, the more you win. This program is 100% free, but property entrance fees apply when you visit. Learn More.

The Woodland Shelter, one of several at Mounds State Park. The Woodland Shelter

Mounds State Park features six hiking trails ranging from easy to rugged; fishing; a swimming pool; campgrounds; picnic shelters; and a Nature Center w/viewing rooms.

However, the site's Native American earthworks are by far, the most fascinating features of the park. The earthworks include three spectacular ceremonial mounds - the Great Mound, Fiddleback Mound, and the Circle Mound along with several circular and rectangular enclosures.

The Great Mound The Great Mound

Evidence suggests that Native Americans inhabited the area for many thousands of years, but the earthworks were probably built over a 300 year period beginning in 250 BC, with final work being completed around 50 AD. This makes them older than the Roman Colosseum!

Archaeologists generally date the period of initial construction to the Early Woodland Period - a time when the Adena culture flourished in the Ohio River watershed area, particularly around the Scioto River in southern Ohio. In time, the Adena were replaced with the Ohio Hopewell, existing approximately in the same area south of Columbus.

The Great Mound at the Summer Solstice. The Great Mound at the Summer Solstice.

In east-central Indiana, an affiliated group known as "New Castle Phase" constructed earthworks in the watershed area of the West Fork of the White River. Earthworks are found all over east-central in New Castle, Winchester, Yorktown, and of course, Anderson.

Solstice and Equinox map in the Nature Center. Solstice and Equinox map in the Nature Center.

Amazingly, some scholars say the earthworks align to certain astronomical events! The Great Mound, for instance, might align with the sun at the summer and winter solstices. The gateways on the surrounding enclosure align with the sun at the spring and fall equinox!

Along with the earthworks, Mounds State Park has also preserved the legacy of the Bronnenberg Family. The Bronnenbergs were early settlers in Madison County and farmed the land that is now the park. Frederick Bronnenberg was fascinated by the Native American earthworks and kept them protected, which is why they are still in existence today!


Bronnenberg House Bronnenberg House

By the 1890s, in the height of the Indiana Gas Boom, Frederick's grandson Samuel placed a stop on the farm for the Union Traction Interurban system. Union Traction developed a 40-acre amusement park on the farm which lasted from 1897 until 1929. It contained several rides, a roller coaster, a kiddie train, and skating rink.

The Great Depression pretty much killed the amusement park and the land was donated to the state of Indiana for inclusion in the state park system.

Today, the park operates without the amusement rides, which in the humble view of this author, is a much-preferred arrangement! Whether you are interested in archaeology, nature, hiking, a quiet walk along the White River, fishing, or picnicking - Mounds State Park is the place for you this summer!

Early signs of spring! Early signs of spring!

trail_rover The West Fork of the White River

Park Details

Address: 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson, Indiana 46017 Phone: 765-642-6627 Website

Entrance Fee (for Hoosiers): $7 Entrance Fee (for non-Hoosiers): $9