Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site - Collinsville, Illinois

Edward H.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is an absolute treasure for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone interested in Native American culture. Climbing to the top of Monks Mound rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the St. Louis skyline . We visited late in the afternoon and saw dozens of deer on the site. Some of the history is a little disturbing, but extremely interesting. Leashed pets are welcome on the site. The museum is currently closed for renovations, but this is still a great place to visit.

M A.

For some reason, museum was closed and the rest does not have many information except for a few notices on the board. Visitors are allowed to hang out on well designated easy trail paths and also climb onto only one of the mounds using the stairs. The toilets are upgraded porta potty like stuff so if you are not desperate, I would not advise using them.

The history behind this place is monumental. This is one of the 12 Unesco world heritage sites in the US. This place, back in 1100 CE was the NYC of North America. Very cool history. Definitely worth seeing. If you wish to cover all the mounds, around 1-2 hours would be sufficient.
Parking is plenty and the views from the top of monks mound are incredible.

Wally H.

Drove from Chicago to visit this historic site. It was very cool to walk the grounds and to climb the Monks Mound. Both my teenage daughters enjoyed it as well. The views were great from the top were great. You could see the Gateway Arch.

Jennifer R.

This is a great place to explore and learn! The informational posts are fascinating, and there are two bathrooms available. Unfortunately, the museum is still closed for construction, but it’s still worth visiting! Walking up the big mound offers a fantastic view, making it a great spot if you are a nature lover.

Conor H.

Profound.

Be ready for a lot of steps. Height may be an issue; but you never have to be (nor should be) very close to the edge.

The interpretive center is currently closed for all (or most?) of 2025. If you aren’t familiar with the general history, the signs around Monk’s Mound help (my wife got enough out of them), but as a history teacher, I would recommend finding a short, reputable documentary or podcast from PBS, or the like, to get a fuller picture while the IC is closed.

Julina S.

Visiting the Cahokia Mounds is a fascinating way to explore the history of the mound builders. Monk Mound, the largest, features a staircase that takes you to the top, offering incredible views, including the St. Louis Arch in the distance. While the other mounds are smaller and not open for climbing, they add to the site’s historical significance. The visitor center is currently closed for renovations, but parking is available. Keep in mind that Monk Mound is across a busy road, though there is an additional parking lot nearby. It’s a must-see destination for history enthusiasts!

Robert T.

We were a bit underwhelmed by this location. We were hoping for so much more. There is a lot of potential here for updating this site and making it a more appealing attraction. That being said, this is a very interesting site. The available signage was rather informative. Great location for walking or having a picnic. Great opportunity to learn about early civilizations.

JRob Z.

This is an amazing park. The signage is very well done. The paths are well maintained. The displays give a real sense of history. The reason for the park is especially impressive. Imagine the culture about a thousand years ago that created these impressive mounds