Overview -
The Etowah Indian Mounds are located near Cartersville, Georgia, midway between Chattanooga and Atlanta, just a few miles off Interstate 75. The landmark has a very nice little museum and interpretive center. The mounds are unbelievable.

Archaeologists believe this site was the principal village in the region between 1,000 - 1,500 AD. It's easy to see why this rich valley was a popular place to live. The Etowah River flows through the property, and the mounds provided a safe retreat from the almost annual flood waters that breached its banks. The flood waters of the Etowah also brought rich silt (and gold) from the mountains and provided the valley with resources unmatched in the region.  

When visiting this historic park, one of the first things you learn is that the entire site is considered "sacred ground" by the descendants of the original inhabitants. In times past, members of the Muscogee (Creek) Families buried their loved ones under their river-cane beds when they passed. Over several hundred years, most of the village became one large cemetery. What this means today is archaeological excavation is next to impossible. Only one of the site's mounds has been fully excavated, but it revealed a tremendous amount insight into the lifestyle of ancient city's inhabitants. 

The Etowah Indian Mounds were built over many generations, each adding its own later. One mound, the tallest, was dedicate to the Chief. Another mound was dedicated to the superstar ball players (little has changed  in 1,000 years). The excavated mound was found to be a mortuary mound, final resting place for over 300 highly regarded tribe members. Opinions differ as to the significance of the mounds. I have my opinions, but I'm hardly an expert. To become more educated, visit the Etowah Indian Mound's official website.

Adventure Journal
Entry Date: May 2011
When we learned it was Archaeology Day at Georgia's Etowah Indian Mounds state historic site, we were eager to attend. We'd visited the landmark several years ago, but there have been a few updates to the property since then.

When we first arrived, we recognized the expert as someone that Rebecca (Mommy) had once worked with in the Georgia Department of Education. So we had to cut-up with him a little. Chris turned out to be a very good guide. His presentation was educational and fun. It was more entertaining than we expected, and more fun than we'd ever dreamed.

We learned about he large moat-like ditch and walls that enclosed the plaza. We learned about the roles of the men and women of the tribe, and the importance of ball games in the society. We climbed a 60' chieftain's mound, and learned how the Creek made canoes that could navigate from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

Finally, we visited the park's museum that displayed period artifacts that had a tremendous resemblance to Aztec and Inca designs. The tools, ornamental beads, weapons, utensils, and stone effigies all looked very similar to those scattered across North and South America.

When we started this tour of the Etowah Indian Mounds, one or more of the kids were not happy campers. By the end, they didn't want to leave. If that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is.
                        
The Richardson Tribe

Other Destinations:
Up
Amicalola Falls State Park
Beaches of South Walton.
Berry College
Big Kahunas
Biltmore House
Blairsville, Georgia
Callaway Gardens
Cataloochee Ski Area
Cave Spring
Cedar Creek Park
Charlestown State Park
Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Chattanooga Zoo
Chehaw Park
Cherry Hill Park
Chester Frost Park
Chieftains Museum
Choccolocco Mountain Off Road Park
Cloudland Canyon
Cloudmont Ski and Golf
Consolidated Gold Mine
Cohutta Wilderness
Cumberland Island
Dauset Trails
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Desoto State Park
Doll Mountain Campground
Dollywood
Dunnaway Gap
Enota Mountain Retreat
Etowah Indian Mounds
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Florala State Park
Franklin D Roosevelt State Park
Fort Mountain State Park
Georgia Mountain Fairground
Georgia Veterans State Park
Gold n Gem Grubbin'
Helen Georgia
Hillcrest Orchards
James H Floyd State park
James Island Park
Jellystone Park- Cave City, KY
John Tanner Park
Lake Allatoona
Lake Sidney Lanier
Lake Winnepesaukah
Little River Canyon Center
Live Oak Landing
Lula Lake Land Trust
Mammoth Cave National Park
McIntosh Reserve
McKinney Campground
Moto Mountain Powersports
New Echota - Cherokee Capitol
Noccalula Falls Park details and pictures
Old Stone Fort Archaeology State Park
Pine Moutain RV
Red Top Mountain State Park
Ridge Ferry Park
Rocky Mountain Recreation Area
Rock Town - Pigeon Mountain
Rome GA
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Silver Springs
Stone Mountain Park
Tanglewood Farm
Tannehill State Park
Tellus Science Museum
The Southern Museum
Topsail Hill Preserve
Townsend KOA
Townsend Tennessee
Twinbrook Resort
Up The Creek RV Camp - Park Details - Pictures
US Space and Rocket Center - Details and Pictures
Vogel State Park
Wild Animal Safari
World of Coke
Zoo Atlanta - Details and Pictures

Watch for special events!
Features Rating (1-10) Description
Official website 9.5 While not classified as a State Park, the Etowah Indian mounds' official page can be found on the Georgia State Parks website. The Georgia State Park website is really awesome. As usual, more pictures would make it a 10.
Campgrounds:
Places to camp near Cartersville and Etowah Indian Mounds

9.5

 The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site does not accommodate camping, but there are a several wonderful places to camp nearby. McKinney Campground is one of our favorite places to park the RV. Red Top Mountain State Park is also very nearby.
Local Attractions

9

 Red Top Mountain State Park, McKinney Campground, Lake Allatoona, Tellus Science Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, New Echota (Cherokee Capitol), Cartersville, Rome, Cave Spring, Cedar Creek Park, and more...
*Note: We rate only the amenities we have personally reviewed.

No financial consideration or favor has been received for listing in PB&J Adventures' website. We are in no way affiliated with this facility or any other facility we review. Any paid advertising seen on this site was arranged after the destination was reviewed. You can trust the reviews to be unbiased.

May 2011