Thursday, September 12, 2013

Toltec Mounds - State Park of the Week #2

Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park

Location: 16 mi. SE of Little Rock, 9 mi. north of England. On Hwy. 386 off of US-165
Area: 130 ac.
Major Attractions: Native American Mounds, Artifacts in Visitor Center, Boardwalk on Oxbow Lake
Miles of Trail: 2.25
My Favorite Part: Watching wildlife from the boardwalk
Getting There: From the website: "Take Exit 169 off I-40, going south on Arkansas Highway 15 for 14 miles to Keo, then northwest on U.S. Highway 165 for 4 miles; OR, from I-440, take Exit 7 (England), going southeast on U.S. Hwy. 165 for 10 miles to the park"
Website: http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/toltecmounds/
More Information: This park and its trails are covered in Trails of Central Arkansas.  Wikipedia has lots of great archeological/historical information.



Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park features large earthen mounds built, not by the Toltecs, but rather by the Plum Bayou culture roughly 1,100 years ago.  Two short, flat trails lead visitors around the site.  Using a brochure or taking a guided tour adds a lot to the experience, otherwise you are just strolling through a large field of mowed grass with a few odd hillocks.  The park is mostly open and unshaded, so going on a summer afternoon is not recommended.  Visiting the boardwalk on an uncrowded fall morning is a great way to see wildlife and provides excellent conditions to reflect on the fascinating history of your surroundings.




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