Trails in Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

William Bartram (1739-1823) was a well-known naturalist who traveled through this area in 1774 and 1776. Bartram wrote about the "Old Ocmulgee Fields" in his journal. The trail winds lazily through the woods on both sides of the railroad bridge, which was built in 1874 and is on the National Historic Register. Walking this trail, you may encounter deer, squirrels, chipmunks, lizards and many varieties of birds.

This short trail connects the Main Trail to the Bartram Trail. It also leads to the Southeast Mound, one of the lesser-known mounds in the park. The trail begins at the southeast corner of the Trading Post site and travels through the woods a short way to end at the park road.

This trail is a grass and dirt trail that goes past the Corn Field Mound and prehistoric trenches, and ends at the Heritage Trail. The Corn Field Mound is believed to have originally been a ceremonial cornfield. Later the mound was built over the field. The purpose of the prehistoric trenches is unknown. It could have been used for a fortification or for borrow pits for mound building.

This trail leads to one of a few surviving Civil War earthworks in Macon, and to the Dunlap Mound.The Civil War earthworks were constructed after the Battle of Dunlap Hill, which took place July 30, 1864. The earthwork was used again that same year in November during the Battle of Walnut Creek. It is named after Samuel Dunlap, who purchased the property in 1856 to build his house and establish a dairy farm. The Dunlap House is a private residence today.

This trail is a grass and dirt trail that goes past the Corn Field Mound and prehistoric trenches, and ends at the Heritage Trail. The Corn Field Mound is believed to have originally been a ceremonial cornfield. Later the mound was built over the field. The purpose of the prehistoric trenches is unknown. It could have been used for a fortification or for borrow pits for mound building.

This loop trail starts near the Funeral Mound parking lot at the end of the park road. It explores a more secluded part of the park as it descends from open fields alongside the park road into a stand of trees.

This trail is a biking and hiking trail that runs through the park. It begins behind the visitor center and goes to the Clinton Street foot gate. Along the trail you may encounter deer, woodpeckers, and lizards.

This 1/2-mile trail leads to three of Ocmulgee Mounds' most popular points of interest – the Earth Lodge, the Trading Post site, and the Great Temple Mound Complex.

This trail is named after Captain Robert McDougal, who was in command of Fort Hawkins in 1809. McDougal died in 1809, and according to legend, was buried in a small Indian mound near the fort, but archaeologists did not find any human remains in the mound during the excavations in the 1930s. There were three smaller mounds between the McDougal Mound and the fort which were destroyed during expansion and construction of Macon. Along the trail you will see the park's original entrance from the 1930s.

This quirky trail is an offshoot of the longer Opelofa Trail. The trail loops through woods before running parallel to Walnut Creek. Hikers should be aware that there is a small drop-off to one side of the trail during this portion. Walnut Creek is home to reptiles, amphibians, and the occasional beaver and otter.

"Opelofa" is a Muscogee (Creek) word which means "like-a-swamp." There is abundant wildlife in the wetlands this trail runs through. It is great for bird watching; you may see egrets, osprey, herrings, and anhinga just to name a few. The Walnut Creek wetlands has fish, turtles, frogs, and snakes. Part of this trail borders Walnut Creek, which is occasionally home to beaver.

This trail winds through a wooded area to the Ocmulgee River. It borders Walnut Creek to where it meets the river, making it a good place to potentially see wildlife. However, visitors have occasionally encountered dangerous wildlife such as alligators along this trail or the river. Be aware of your surroundings as you walk along this trail and the river.

William Bartram (1739-1823) was a well-known naturalist who traveled through this area in 1774 and 1776. Bartram wrote about the "Old Ocmulgee Fields" in his journal. The trail winds lazily through the woods on both sides of the railroad bridge, which was built in 1874 and is on the National Historic Register. Walking this trail, you may encounter deer, squirrels, chipmunks, lizards and many varieties of birds.

This short trail connects the Main Trail to the Bartram Trail. It also leads to the Southeast Mound, one of the lesser-known mounds in the park. The trail begins at the southeast corner of the Trading Post site and travels through the woods a short way to end at the park road.

This trail starts at the Trading Post site on the side closest to the railroad bridge. It descends to a small creek and winds through a small area of woodland to reach the Funeral Mound parking lot. Early Creek Indians (late 1600's) are believed to have occupied this area prior to the Yamassee War of 1715.