Kolomoki MoundsMap and Guide |
Trails map and guide for Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park (SHP) in Georgia. Published by Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.
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LEGEND
White Oaks Trail
Dump Station
Boat Ramp
Spruce Pine Trail
Parking
Comfort Station
Playground
Connector Trail
Group Shelter
Outhouse
Mini Golf
Staff Residence
Picnic Shelter
Amphitheater
Paved Road
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Hammock Site
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Restroom
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Overlook
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Park Office
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Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park Trail Map
Playfield
205 Indian Mounds Road • Blakely, Georgia 39823 • Emergency: 702-907-2150 • GaStateParks.org
PARK BOUNDARY
KOLOMOKI MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC PARK
This unusual park in southwest Georgia is
an important archaeological site as well as
a scenic recreational area. The Kolomoki
settlement is one of the larger mound sites in
the Southeast. Seven earthen mounds were
built between 200-900 C.E. by the Swift Creek
and Weeden Island Indians. The mounds
include Georgia’s oldest great temple mound,
two burial mounds and four ceremonial
mounds. The park’s museum is partially
situated inside an excavated mound, providing
an unusual setting for viewing artifacts and
a film. A small admission is charged at the
museum. The word Kolomoki means Land
of the White Oaks in the Muscogee (Creek)
language.
Activities and Facilities
Camping - The park offers 24 campsites with a
central bathhouse, sanitary disposal station, and
water and electrical hook-ups. Two pioneer areas
are available for groups.
Group Camp – Large gatherings such as retreats
and reunions can take advantage of the group
camp with dining hall, six cabins, two craft
shelters, baseball field, assembly shelter and lake.
The dining hall may be rented when the group
camp is not occupied.
Picnicking – The park offers numerous picnic
tables, four covered picnic shelters, and two group
shelters for 50 or 125 people. Group shelters must
be reserved in advance.
Fishing - Park waters are open for legal fishing
througout the year. Both Lake Yohola (upper lake)
and Lake Kolomoki (lower lake) have a dock and
boat ramp. Anglers 16 or older must have a valid
resident/non-resident fishing license. Bank fishing
is allowed from 7 a.m. until dark.
Boating - Private boats are permitted on park
waters with a 10 horsepower restriction. Boating
is permitted until sundown. All boats must comply
with the Georgia Boating Safety Law. Jon boats,
canoes, kayaks, SUP and pedal boats are
available for rent.
Other Activities – This 1,293-acre state park also
has nature trails, playground equipment, miniature
golf and an amphitheater.
PARK TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION
TRILLIUM TRAIL
This 1.25 mile loop traverses four natural communities.
Starting along Lake Kolomoki, you will cross several springfed streams, climb a moist slope forest, ramble through an
upland hardwood forest, and descend a dramatic steephead.
Watch for transitions between communities as the trail climbs
and descends. These communities appear much as they did
when Native Americans grew their crops along the floodplain
of Little Kolomoki Creek, now flooded by the lake. As you
walk, try to imagine how you might find food, beverages,
medicines, fuel, clothing, dyes, shelter and tools if you lived
here hundreds of years ago.
Common birds found in this area include piliated and redbellied woodpeckers, flickers, yellow warblers, pine warblers,
cardinals, nuthatch, chickadee and towhee. Wild turkey and
bobwhite quail may be spotted on the ground, while redshouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk and turkey vultures soar
overhead. Look for tracks of bobcat, red fox, deer, opossum
and raccoon in the soil.
Hikers will see switchcane (a native bamboo), Southern
magnolia (large green leaves), sassafrass (three leaf shapes
growing on one plant), sarsparilla vine (used to make
beverages), sparkleberry, hickory, muscadine grapes, dwarf
palmetto (fan-like leaves), loblolly pine and spruce pine.
A separate brochure further describes plants, animals and
geology at 20 numbered stops along the trail.
SPRUCE PINE TRAIL
Part of Georgia’s Southern Rivers Birding Trail, this 2.5-mile
trail starts at the Lake Yohola dam, crosses a road and leads
to Lake Kolomoki. The cypress pond area of this second
lake is particularly good for birding. The terrain is somewhat
rugged, and hikers can enjoy footbridges and wildlife
observation platforms. Common trees include magnolia,
dogwood, spruce pine and water oak. Wild azaleas bloom
in spring. Frequently spotted wildlife includes turkey, deer,
quail, bobcat and armadillo.
WHITE OAK TRAIL
This 1.5-mile trail circles the mounds and passes through
part of the village area, which was arranged in a horseshoe
shape around the mounds. These woods provided timber
used to build thatched huts for housing. Some of the gulleys
and ravines have underground springs flowing from them,
which provided an abundant water source for the village.
These springs flow into Lake Kolomoki, then into the
Chattahoochee River 12 miles away, which served as a
major trade route. Archaeologist believe the Indians chose
this site because of the rich farmland, wild game, fishing and
abundant water.
INDIAN MOUNDS
Hundreds of years ago, this area – with its surrounding
villages, burial mounds and ceremonial plaza – was a center
of population and activity in North America. This unblazed
trail leads to 7 mounds and a cemetery, which are further
explained by markers along the way. The gully’s purpose has
been debated since the 1840s. Some believe it was once
SAFETY TIPS & ETIQUETTE
covered, providing a way to get to the creek during a siege,
while others thought it provided dirt for the mounds. The
main village was located in the plaza, now an open field in
front of Mound A. The tallest mound is 56 feet high and the
shortest is around 4 feet high.
• Tell someone your itinerary and expected return
time.
MOUND A – The Temple Mound, constructed more than 700
years ago, is 56 feet high and measures 325 by 200 feet at
the base. Research indicates that it would have taken more
than 2 million basket
loads, each holding
one cubic foot of
earth, to build this
mound. It is believed
this mound served as
the area’s religious
center.
• Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay
in one location and wait for help. This will make
it easier for rescuers to find you.
MOUND B – A series
of wooden posts
were erected in this
mound, possibly for
games.
MOUND C – Archaeologists are unsure of Mound C’s
function, but it may have been made of sweepings from the
plaza. The mound is approximately the same size as Mound
B, and is located at the north end of the Temple Mound
(corresponding to that of Mound B to the South).
MOUND D – During the 1950s, this was excavated and
rebuilt to its original size of 20 feet high and nearly 100 feet
in diameter. D is one of the largest and most elaborately
constructed burial mounds in the Southeastern United
States. The mound was built to bury a leader along with
sacrificed servants, trophy skulls, and wives. The remains
of additional people, whose bodies had been stored in
the temple awaiting burial, were included in the mound.
Radiocarbon dating estimates the mound was built around
30 A.D.
MOUND E – This burial mound of the Weeden Island
Tribe was the first of the Kolomoki area to be scientifically
excavated. Today, the park’s museum is built into the mound,
shown just as archaeologists left it. Four people were buried
in this mound, along with 54 pottery items to be used in the
afterlife. Radiocarbon dating in 1956 put the building around
170 B.C. The accuracy of radiocarbon dating is within 300
years.
MOUND F – This mound is 60 feet long, 50 feet wide and six
feet high, with an oval shape. Inside is a square, white clay
platform 30 feet wide. Artifacts consist solely of a handful of
sherds, most from the Weeden Island period.
MOUND G – Burials of the Mercier family, owners of the
Mercier Plantation that once included this land, are found
here.
MOUND H – Archaeologist Dr. William H. Sears speculated
this small mound was used in the burial ceremony for the
Mound D leader, then capped with red clay. An internal
yellow clay platform, measuring three feet high, has not been
disturbed.
• Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight
and whistle. Three short blasts on a whistle are
known as a call for help.
• Don’t count on cell phones to work in the
wilderness, but if they do, be able to give details
about your location.
• Invest in good hiking socks such as those found
at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by
carrying “moleskin” and applying it as soon as
you feel hot spots on your feet. Available in the
foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like
felt that sticks to your skin.
• Be prepared for unexpected rain and wind
which can lead to hypothermia. Always carry
quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather.
If you become wet or cold, it is important to get
dry and warm as quickly as possible.
• Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Today’s hikers
can choose from numerous fabrics that wick
moisture, dry quickly and conserve heat. Many
experienced hikers wear a lightweight shirt that
wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover
and rain jacket.
• Pack out all trash.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times and clean up
after them.
• Do not pick flowers, disturb wildlife or take
anything off the park.
• Protect the park and help prevent erosion by
staying on marked trails.
CLIMATE DATA FOR BLAKELY, GEORGIA
Month
Avg.
High
Avg.
Low Mean
Avg.
Precip.
Record High
Record Low
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
60ºF
64ºF
72ºF
79ºF
85ºF
91ºF
92ºF
92ºF
88ºF
80ºF
71ºF
63ºF
37ºF
40ºF
46ºF
52ºF
61ºF
68ºF
70ºF
70ºF
65ºF
54ºF
46ºF
39ºF
6.72 in
5.26 in
5.98 in
3.71 in
4.01 in
4.99 in
5.17 in
4.51 in
3.71 in
2.70 in
3.78 in
3.98 in
6ºF (1924)
-1ºF (1899)
17ºF (1980)
30ºF (1987)
34ºF (1903)
47ºF (1984)
50ºF (1901)
56ºF (1986)
40ºF (1967)
29ºF (1917)
15ºF (1950)
6ºF (1962)
48ºF
52ºF
59ºF
66ºF
73ºF
79ºF
81ºF
81ºF
77ºF
67ºF
59ºF
51ºF
85ºF (1911)
85ºF (1989)
96ºF (1907)
97ºF (1906)
102ºF (1916)
108ºF (1911)
107ºF (1930)
105ºF (1911)
110ºF (1925)
101ºF (1911)
92ºF (1986)
89ºF (1906)