Effigy Mounds National Monument Trails Re-open Friday, May 22, 2020

Posted: May 22, 2020

Effigy Mounds National Monument Trails Re-open Friday, May 22, 2020

[Harpers Ferry, IA] Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Effigy Mounds National Monument is increasing recreational access, re-opening the park’s hiking trails beginning at 6:00am Friday, May 22, 2020. The National Park Service is working with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to gradually increase access on a park-by-park basis.

With public health in mind, the Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center and other facilities will remain closed. Visitors are advised to come to the monument self-contained with enough water and food for safe hiking. Social distancing is highly recommended, and the public should be aware that on the North Unit trail system as well as the Yellow River boardwalks it is not always possible to maintain the recommended 6’ of social distancing, particularly when groups are moving in opposite directions along narrow, steep trail segments. Visitors are advised to seek out hiking times when visitation is low and avoid hiking during the busy afternoon hours of 1:00pm – 3:00pm if possible. Trails at Effigy Mounds National Monument are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Effigy Mounds National Monument managers are working with local, regional, and national leadership to monitor the situation and will provide updates on the park website at www.nps.gov/efmo and Facebook page whenever there are changes to the status of Effigy Mounds National Monument trails and Visitor Center operations.