Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the central portion of Cahokia, the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico, in Collinsville, Illinois. You can walk its grounds and trails, see Monks Mound and learn about the site’s history; admission and parking are free.
- Location: 30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, Illinois 62234
- Grounds and trails: Open daily from dawn until dusk
- Admission and parking: Free; donations are accepted
- Public tours: Offered Tuesday through Sunday; each lasts about one hour
What to know before visiting Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds protects a substantial part of a once-large city, with open grounds and trails to explore.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources describes Cahokia as the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico. Illinois protects about 2,200 acres here, including 72 of the nearly 80 mounds that remain. Around 1100, Cahokia covered more than 4,000 acres, had about 120 earthen mounds and a population of nearly 20,000, according to the site’s official website.
The site became a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1965 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. The grounds and trails are open daily from dawn until dusk. Admission and parking are free, and donations are accepted. For details about entry, see how tickets and entry work at Cahokia Mounds.
How do you reach Cahokia Mounds from Caseyville?
The site is at 30 Ramey Street in Collinsville, and it is about an eight-minute drive from First Western Inn in Caseyville.
For general driving directions, the site can be reached from Interstate 55/70 at Exit 6 or Interstate 255 at Exit 24, using Collinsville Road. From northern St. Louis County or St.
Charles, the official directions are to take I-270 East into Illinois, then I-255 South to Exit 24 for Collinsville Road; the Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles from that exit.
If you’re getting oriented around town as well, what to know about visiting Caseyville offers a broader look at the area. Check the official site before you go for current visitor details. The site’s phone number is 618-346-5160.
What can you see across the grounds?
Monks Mound is the site’s largest earthwork, while the surrounding grounds and trails lead through the preserved landscape.
Monks Mound stands 100 feet high and is the largest earthwork in North America, according to the site. You can also explore the grounds that contain dozens of the remaining mounds. The site’s scale reflects Cahokia’s extent at its peak, when it occupied more than 4,000 acres.
Free public guided tours run Tuesday through Sunday. The Monks Mound tour option is at 10 a.m., and the Grand Plaza tour option is at 1 p.m.; each lasts about one hour. Tour schedules can change, so check the official site before you go.
Visitor facilities and practical details
Maps, brochures, restrooms and picnic facilities are available at points around the grounds.
Maps and brochures are available near the Monks Mound parking lot and outside the Interpretive Center. Restrooms are in the Interpretive Center lobby and at the Monks Mound parking lot, where there is a vault toilet. A water fountain is also near that parking lot.
You can bring lunch to the picnic grounds, half a mile west of the Interpretive Center. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dogs are allowed on the grounds when leashed, but only service dogs may enter the building.
The site advises wearing comfortable clothing and shoes and bringing a hat, sunscreen, bottled water and insect repellent for time outdoors. The Interpretive Center lobby has restrooms, a gift shop, a site model and a canoe exhibit; its opening hours may vary, so check the official site before you go.
How much time should you allow?
Allow about an hour if you join one of the public tours, with additional time for exploring the open grounds and trails at your own pace.
The Monks Mound and Grand Plaza tours each last about one hour. Since the grounds are open from dawn until dusk, you can also plan an outdoor visit around the trails and mounds without relying on a tour.
If you’re building a day around the area, how to plan a one-day itinerary near Caseyville connects the site with a wider local outing.
Planning a visit from a Caseyville base
Plan around the outdoor grounds first, then add a tour or a picnic if those fit your schedule.
For a simple visit, arrive during daylight, pick up a map or brochure, and walk the grounds toward Monks Mound. If you want a guided introduction, choose between the morning Monks Mound tour and the afternoon Grand Plaza tour. Bring water and sun protection for time outside, and consider packing lunch for the picnic grounds.
The grounds are open daily, while public tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday. A visit to the site can also fit into a wider look at Caseyville and its surroundings, but check the official site before you go for current schedules and visitor arrangements.
FAQs
Is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site free?
Yes. Admission and parking are free, and the site accepts donations.
When are the grounds open?
The grounds and trails are open daily from dawn until dusk.
Are guided tours available?
Free public tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday. The Monks Mound option is at 10 a.m. and the Grand Plaza option is at 1 p.m.; each lasts about one hour.
Can you bring a dog?
Dogs are permitted on the grounds if kept on a leash. Only service dogs are allowed inside the building.