Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
* The Interpretive Center will be closed for major renovations beginning March 1, 2022. The project will begin with replacing the roof of the Interpretive Center followed by replacing the HVAC system, fire security and lighting systems. A re-open date has not been set however we are anticipating the closure to last a year or more. The Society will continue operations fundraising and other support programs during the closure. We will offer outdoor tours beginning when the weather is conducive to this. More information opportunities and programming will be found on our website, on social media, or by calling the Interpretive Center.
Make the most of your visit to Cahokia Mounds. This section provides useful information to assist you in planning before your arrival. Our volunteers will also be able to help you at the Information Desk located just inside the Main Entrance of the Interpretive Center. Stop there to get maps, ask questions or check out an audio tour. Museum admission is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated.
What to Wear: Cahokia Mounds offers a World-Class Interpretive Center with museum exhibit galleries, an orientation show theater, a public programming auditorium, museum shop, a snack-food service, public restrooms, staff offices, and a courtyard for educational programs. Outdoors you’ll find self-guided tours, guided tours, trails and the 100 ft high Monks Mound, the largest earthwork in North America. There’s so much to see and do, you’ll want to stay all day! Therefore, please dress accordingly. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended as well as hats, sunscreen, bottled water and insect repellent.
What to Bring: Visitors are welcome to bring hand-held cameras to take pictures of exhibits and site features for personal use provided that the flash is turned off while indoors. The Interpretive Center offers vending machines with snacks and cold drinks. Lunches may be brought only to the picnic grounds (located 1/2 mile West of the Interpretive Center) where picnic tables are available on a first come first serve basis. Please do not bring pets, weapons, food, beverages, gum or writing utensils inside the Interpretive Center.
How to Get Here: Cahokia Mounds is accessible via numerous major routes and has a limited number of public transportation options available. Please visit the Directions and Map to your left for details.
Pets: Pets are allowed on the grounds as long as they are leashed, the only pets allowed inside the building are service dogs.
To Arrange a Tour: Call 1-618-346-5160
Site Brochure: Click to Download
Hours & Admission
Hours & Admission
Admission
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – Historic Sites Division, is just eight miles from downtown St. Louis near Collinsville, Illinois, off Interstates 55-70 and 255, and Illinois 111, on Collinsville road.
Hours
Interpretive Center: Closed for Renovations
Grounds: Open daily from dawn until dusk
Gift Shop
Cahokia Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is CLOSED however you are welcome to shop at our webstore www.cahokiamounds.org/shop where we offer a wide range of beautiful Native American made inventory and books on Cahokia.
PHONE: 618-344-9221
EMAIL: giftshop@cahokiamounds.org
Get Directions
Get Directions
From St. Louis City and West County
Take I-55/70, 64 or Highway 40 & 44 across the Poplar St. Bridge into Illinois. Follow I-55/70, not 64, to Exit 6 (Highway 111). Exit and turn right onto Highway 111 South. At stoplight make a left onto Collinsville Road. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the right.
From North St. Louis County and St. Charles
Take I-270 East into Illinois to I-255. Take I-255 South (Memphis) to Exit 24, Collinsville Road. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Road at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the left.
From Northern and Eastern Illinois Via I-55/70
Take I-55 South or I-70 West to the I-255 exit 10, just past Collinsville. Take I-255 South (Memphis) to the next Exit (24) at Collinsville Road. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Road at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the left.
From I-64
Take I-64 East or West to I-255 North. Take I-255 North to Exit 24, Collinsville Road. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Road at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the left.
From South St. Louis County
Take I-255 across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into Illinois. Continue on I-255 until Exit 24, Collinsville Road. Exit and turn left onto Collinsville Road at the stoplight at the end of the off-ramp. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the left.
Public Transportation
Unfortunately, the MetroLink Bus no longer runs to Cahokia Mounds. However, there are still some public transportation options available to visitors. The Madison County Transit Bus #18 travels between downtown Collinsville and various locations in downtown St. Louis. The bus stops at the Emerson Park Metrolink train station in East St. Louis. The bus also stops at the intersection of Black Lane/Fairmont Ave. and Collinsville Road, a relatively short distance from the Interpretive Center. Adventurous visitors may get off the bus at Black Lane/Fairmont Ave. and walk approximately .76 miles West on Collinsville Road to the site. Please note it is a soft-shoulder street. See Walking Directions Here.
Riverbend Transportation in Collinsville, IL will also pick up visitors from the Black Lane bus stop and bring them to the site. Please note that they have a $5 minimum on taxi service.
Another option is to take the MCT Bus #18 to the Collinsville Station (located in downtown Collinsville) and take a taxi from there.
Schedule Group
Schedule Group
Orientation Theater and Exhibit Gallery
Normally, the orientation show City of the Sun (The theatre is temporarily closed. You may watch the show by clicking on this link.) is shown each hour and on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a suggested donation is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors, $2.00 for students, and $15.00 for families. However, the Interpretive Center is closed for renovations.
Please Note: Groups which are not scheduled in advance will have to wait until there is an opening to accommodate them in the Theater and Exhibit Gallery.
Field Trips and Group Visits
To schedule a group visit or field trip, please contact the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau.
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
200 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-465-6676
Toll Free: 1-800-258-6645
Guided Tours
Guided Tours
In addition to a World-Class Interpretive Center, Cahokia Mounds offers 2,200 acres of the original site, 800 of which are accessible to the public. No trip is complete without exploring the site, climbing the 100 ft. Monks Mound and experiencing the reconstructed ancient sun calendar, Woodhenge.
Public Tours
Due to the closure of the Interpretive Center, this summer we are offering guided tours of Monks Mound. Tours will take place Wednesday through Sunday at 1 pm. These tours are free, but are by reservation only. Call (618)346-5160 for reservations.
Self-Guiding Tours and Other Resources
Cahokia Mounds AR Tour: Back to the City of the Sun
Tour Monks Mound and the Grand Plaza using your Apple or Android device. This $4.99 app uses augmented reality technology to show you digital images of ancient structures overlaid on the landscape you see through your screen. Knowledge points provide information and context for what you see, and the app includes walking audio tour components.
Nature/Culture Hike
A 5.4 mile Nature/Culture Hike booklet is available for sale in the Museum Shop. The hike goes through more remote areas of the site explaining the culture of the Mississippians, discussing where archaeology has taken place, and the use of various plants for food, medicine, dyes and fibers.
Tour Guidebook
A tour guidebook is available for purchase in the Museum Shop for $1. It includes three hiking trails: through the Plaza, up Monks Mound, and around Woodhenge. The trails are 30 – 45 minutes to walk (Available in 11 languages). You can contact the gift shop by calling: 618-344-9221 or emailing: giftshop@cahokiamounds.org.
Disabled Visitor Opportunities
A 17-minute video tour of Cahokia Mounds is available for disabled visitors and may be viewed upon request. A wheelchair is also available for use in the Interpretive Center and on the Plaza tour trail, which is paved and level. For those with visual disabilities, there is a Braille guide to Monks Mound and other site features, and an Artifact Apron that can be worn through the exhibits with replica artifacts in the pockets and an accompanying tape cassette.
Other Resources Available
We also have a “Museum Mural Walk” guidebook.
Interpretive Center
Interpretive Center
THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS
Our Interpretation of the Cahokia site focuses on its uniqueness as an urban center, or a city. It is the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico and was a religious, political, economic and cultural center.
To achieve an understanding of this site we do the following:
- Examine the factors which qualify Cahokia as a city or urban center.
- Discuss the tradition known as Mississippian, of which Cahokia was a part.
- Explain the archaeological and anthropological research, analyses, and processes that reveal this information to us.
- Disseminate this information to the general public to educate and inform through our Interpretive Center exhibits, educational programs, special events, educational literature and other interpretive activities.
Interpretive Center Information
The Interpretive Center Gallery is self-guided. Volunteers are available to answer visitor questions.
Admission
There is no admission fee, but the suggested donation is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors, $2.00 for students, and $15.00 for families.
How to Schedule the Orientation Theater & Exhibit Gallery
To schedule a group visit or field trip, please contact the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau.
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
200 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-465-6676
Toll Free: 1-800-258-6645
* The Interpretive Center will be closed for major renovations beginning March 1, 2022. The project will begin with replacing the roof of the Interpretive Center followed by replacing the HVASC system, fire security and lighting systems. A re-open date has not been set however we are anticipating the closure to last a year or more. The Society will continue operations fundraising and other support programs during the closure. We will offer outdoor tours beginning when the weather is conducive to this. More information opportunities and programming will be found on our website, on social media, or by calling the Interpretive Center.
Trail Map
Trail Map
Accommodations, Dining, Camping
Accommodations, Dining, Camping
Activity Permit Application
Activity Permit Application
All activities taking place at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site requires an Activity Permit approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Any Individuals, groups, or organizations requesting permission to hold events at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site must complete an Activity Permit Application.
To obtain an Activity Permit Application, please contact Site Superintendent Lori Belknap at 618-346-5160.
Back To The CIty of The Sun
Back to the City of The Sun
Cahokia Mounds’ New Augmented Reality Project
Cahokia Mounds Museum Society (CMMS), the support group of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, is a recipient of a $250,000 Digital Projects for the public grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). The grant will be used to develop an Augmented Reality application tour that can be viewed on smart phones and tablets from the top of the 10-story Monks Mound and at various waypoints along trails that wind through the 2,200-acre site.
