Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Alto
Categories
Location on the map
Alto, Cherokee County, Texas, US
Accessibility
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 936-858-3218
Site: http://www.visitcaddomounds.com/
Site: http://www.visitcaddomounds.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:8:30AM–4:30PM
- Wednesday:8:30AM–4:30PM
- Thursday:8:30AM–4:30PM
- Friday:8:30AM–4:30PM
- Saturday:8:30AM–4:30PM
- Sunday:8:30AM–4:30PM
Comments (174)
I think its all what you make it when it comes to this :)We had a great time! It was a little warm yesterday. Definitely reccomend taking along a little water if its a hot day and you arent used to walking. They have a great trail and a map you get at the visitors center. The two tornadoes that came through Alto last year destroyed their visitors center and the grass house. I was really sad to not see the grass house. Really cool reading about everything and seeing the mounds and their different purposes. We want to go back again on a little bit cooler day and enjoy even more!Watch the hours they are opened and closed. We got their ar 4:13 and the lady was super nice about it but handed us a map and said the State does not allow overtime and we close at 4:30. Yall are welcome to walk the trails :)
I love this place. I just wish they had someone from the Caddo culture to represent themselves. Maybe they do and they werent there that day but I really enjoyed everything otherwise.
This place has nice trails about 3 miles in woods and prairie lots of history here a must visit site
Beautiful! Very educational, interesting, and super friendly staff!! I highly recommend visiting! We will definitely go back soon!!
Beautiful place to walk around and have a picnic. Great for getting out of the house and learning something new! Will be back when the new building goes up!
Amazing history of Native American culture.Everything just amazed me with the artifacts and also with the explanation of the mounds themselves;definitely would recommend.
Very clean, organized museum with plenty to see and read about. They provide hands on displays for the kids. The outdoor section is beautiful to walk around and you really get to experience the Caddo Indians life.
Very knowledgeable staff. We have enjoyed the Path to Plate Program!
Weather was not friendly for sight seeing but the staff was excellent and the sights were great.
Really nice place to stop for some Texas history. They even allow dogs on leashes around the outside area.
Put a visit here on your bucket list!Amazing
I love this place, but sadly the tornado that hat several months ago destroyed the new museum. You can still visit the mounds they are open till 4:30 daily.
Wonderful cultural stop on Hwy 21 just outside Alto, Tx. The trails are easy to walk and the enrichment stops are informative and clear. They have golf carts for those who need the extra mobility and a wonderful staff who are knowledgeable and kind. Great all ages venue. Highly recommend.
These people are so helpful and nice!! When we went we all sat down and watched an educational video, then she talked to us about the things in the shop as ww looked around. She also informed us that they have educational activities online and where to find that. They let us use the golf cart to drive it around the property instead of having to walk it. We had a great time when we went. When we got to the end we took a small hike through the woods. Even had our picnic. We also brought our small dog and he had a blast too!
Tornado that hit Franklin the hit Caddo Mounds hit when right over me
Awesome place to spend a few hours learning the history of the Caddo Indians
A great historic place to go visit. Pleasant staff.
I cant say enough good things about this place. The people are just the best humans you will meet, the trail itself was a blast, the Camino trail was so much fun. Do yourself a favor and stop by this place.
Wonderful stop in East Texas. Learn about the Caddo people in the interpretive center then tour the grounds in a provided golf cart!
Very interesting. So nice to visit a park dedicated to Native Americans. Regretfully in the Spring of 2019 the park experienced serious tornado damage. However, this should not prevent you from visiting. There is a temporary visitors center with a few exhibits. More importantly, the path around the park with informative signs have been replaced. In addition, the center has an educational video about the Caddos. I highly recommend visiting.
Interesting, had no idea about Caddo tribe
Great history lesson. The trails are pretty long, but they do have carts to borrow at no additional cost. We really enjoyed our visit and plan on coming back. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Very friendly staff...original museum was destroyed by a tornado. Enjoyed the video and all the information. You don’t have to walk the trails as you can drive a golf cart!!
Very few artifacts are display but the hands on exhibits are very informative and well done. There are two short trails with explainations. You can walk the trails or use one of the available golf carts. The young staff member was very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.... And I had several. The outside exhibits are still works in progress. A very pleasant place to visit and learn.
My sister and I really enjoyed our visit. You can walk the tour or take a cart, but I would advise that, especially, during the summer months you take sunglasses, a broad brimmed hat, a good camera and WATER. Have fun!
An incredibly overlooked part of our history. Facility recently devastated by a tornado yet still able to teach. Learned so much about the native peoples of the region. Their impact in the society of today. The importance of preserving and sharing the knowledge of the people that lived and thrived in this area before us.
**Because of recent natural events that have transpired, the park is off-limits for awhile.**This is a very interesting place, not far from the Mission Tejas camp grounds near Alto. We have visited her 3 times and enjoy it every time. Access to the top of the big roadside mound is now fenced off. The other mounds inside are still accessible and the museum is nice. Enjoy
The staff inside the museum were very knowledgeable and kind. My girlfriend had a knee replacement recently and they offered us a gold cart to use at no charge. The museum had many interesting facts about the Caddo culture and was also very hands on. The trails you walk outside were very well taken care of. Highly recommend this place!
Great place to visit. Decently long trails but unfortunately the main visitors center was destroyed in the tornado as well as the grass house. They are now based in a trailer house.
Stretch your legs and travel back in time to experience the Caddo Mounds culture on site where its easy to imagine what it was like.
Great informative place for the whole family to go. It was great experience and the staff was amazing. Very friendly and they care about their visitors.
This a is beautiful and mysterious place to visit. Walk the path around the ancient Indian village including a burial ground. The video and museum is informative and the gift shop is great including great books identifying edible wild plants. We are really surrounded with healthy foods to choose from. We have a lot to learn from the Indians.
Great stop to learn about a part of Texas history. My boys loved the golf cart ride to the different parts of the property and they really loved that its a touch museum. We played drums, tried out a bow and arrow (no shooting of arrows, dont worry) and sat down on a wolf-skin blanket. A great stop for kids.
Very interesting little park. Has a nice museum and walking path around the Caddo Mounds. A glimpse of history a bit out of the ordinary. Well worth the time and energy. Take a break and learn about the Caddo people. Also includes remnants of the Old Spanish Trail, El Camino Real. Disclaimer:. The objects in the museum are not historical. They are very high end reproductions. Originals are probably buried in UTs vaults, Indiana Jones style. Good for kids maybe third grade and up? Normal visit probably 1-1.5 hours.
Today we (Girl Scout Troop 1850 - Juniors) went geocaching setup by Caddo Mounds. We loved the activity! Everything is setup and so easy to follow. Be sure to wear closed toes shoes, you will be hiking! You get to see and learn lots of things along away. It was a very enjoyable experience! If you plan to do all caches, be sure to bring a day pack with snacks or lunch and water. It took us with a short lunch break about 2 and half hours to find all boxes.
Great little place to stop by and learn some history. The museum part is interactive, which is fun for the kids. Plus you can borrow a golf cart to ride instead of walking the trail around the old mounds.
Texas Native history is extremely important to preserve. After the April tornado the site was decimated, but all those caught in the storm survived. A special thanks to all of the survivors who invited me to come bear witness to their strength and tenacity.
I agree with what the other gentle man said. The man that runs the place is great, and he is was very helpful to our situation. My son needed some pictures for a school project, but we got there a few minutes after closing time. He not only allowed us in, he also gave us a disc he made with info about the site. I hope to go back when they get there museum up an running in 2014.
We visited the mounds today and were sad about the loss and devastating condition of the visitor center and other areas by the tornadoes that hit earlier this year. But it was still an amazing experience. The Mounds themselves are worth the trip.
Very interesting site, and they did a good job of relating mound building cultures to their possible present day descendants. The staff was great, they even offered me a golf cart to use! Worth a stop for some ancient Texas heritage.
Nice display about the Caddo Indians. Indoor museum and outdoor historical mounds. Golf cart provided with museum admission fee. $4 and a lot of interesting books in the gift shop!
It’s a good place to get out and stretch your legs while traveling. The history is interesting but as a long time Texan it’s not the emphasis for why I visit. I stop here and jog while on my way to visit family in the Tyler area.
The inside was closed a lot of the attractions where not there due to the storm. Very interesting and beautiful trails. Great experience all the way.
Super nice place. Does not look great from outside, but really nice when you get in. Well worth the visit! Very nice site manager. Very knowledgeable and passionate about site!
Beautiful educational museum and site. The hut is amazing to sit in and imagine the people who built it and those who lived it. Well worth a very small admission fee.
Im a history buff. Unfortunately two tornadoes hit the area in March 2019 and they are still in the process of restoring the property. One person lost their life in the parking lot when the tornado hit
Great signage and good substitute visitor center since the previous one was taken out by storm. Excellent intro movie!
A fun historical place to visit. Trails and a soon to come museum of natural history.
Fascinating look at an old part of Native American Texas. Great historical and pre historical value. The atlatl was interesting, several of our kids were able to throw it accurately. Also, the Rice house in Grapevine Texas was a worthwhile stop off along the way.
The daily available draws of the site are very minimal....very little more than an elaborate historical marker. HOWEVER the special events that dot their calender are just that ....special. If you are into primitive living or prepping the knowledge made available in stunning.How did the Caddo survive? You can get hands on experience on that at the mounds.
I was AMAZED at DETAILS of The Caddo Tribe History. Staff were EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE & KIND!!! AMAZING how Similar they are to our Cherokee. Found out the Cherokee helped Them. BONUS; REPLICA of CELTIC HOLY VESSEL given as SACRED GIFT to the CADDO CHIEFTAIN from the CELTIC CHIEFTAIN!!!! Another #TexasBucketList Place marked off!!!
We left right befor the tornado hit it, the Lord had mercy on usLord have mercy on the injured.
So much destruction after the storm on 4/13. A wonderful place with a huge rebuild ahead to get it ready to open. My thoughts and prayers go out to the many people injured in that storm.
Very Disappointed. Although it is not their fault. A tornado destroyed all the huts. So sad for everyone.
Fabulous history! Wonderful tour. Rent the golf cart and drive the tour! Anthony Souther wonderful site manager!! Great knowledge.
We took the course on making and using the Atlatl. Very informative. Teacher knows his stuffWe also toured the park and learned many things about the Caddo people.
My son and I went here with his class and had a great time. We learned about native Americans and intend on going again sometime with his little sister.
Great place to visit and learn about the Caddo Indians. Also great employees that know their history.
Wonderful historical site to visit. Very informative employee/lady helped us; she was very kind as well.
Very informative info at this historical land site, the COPPER COLORED PPL/ ABORIGINALS, it speaks of, that were here WAY WAY WAY before the, native Americans/ the tent dwellers who arrived WAY WAY WAY later after these ANCIENT AUTOCHTHONS, WHO DESCENDANTS R STILL ON THE GREAT LAND, BUT HAVE BEEN MISLABELED N RECLASSIFIED PURPOSELY THREW OUT THE YEARS, FEATHERS UP MY BEAUTIFUL COPPER COLORED PPL FOUND HERE BY THE cauc-asians.
Absolutely loved it!!!!!! So heart breaking they had a tornado tear everything up. Cant wait till they open new part in January.
No fault of their own the tornado they had wiped out all their buildings and theres glass on the ground it was great seeing the Mounds hopefully they had insurance and will rebuild things
Interesting human geology. I was surprised that it was no longer in the State Park system, so my pass didnt work.
Great family place for inside learning & Sacred grounds for Native American burial. Much to learn from & get out in nature... 5+ stars
Beautiful site with walking trails and informationabout the keto people and the El Camino Real de los Tejas Historic trail.
This is a good day trip location and is a great place to take kids to. There is a lot of hands on displays for the kids.
Such a peaceful special place.
Theres nothing left of it now. We went this weekend to go see the mounds. The museum and replica grass house were destroyed in a tornado last april.
Great little historical park. Learn about the Caddo Indians and the mounds they left behind. Plan to spend an hour or so.
They were very friendly and it was such neat place to see.
Interesting bit of Texas history. They are developing more outside attractions to go along with the indoor displays.
Informative displays with friendly staff. We happened to catch an Atlatl demonstration & was allowed to throw a few spears.
Great and interesting site of Caddo Indian history
Outstanding place! The director is wonderful and full of knowledge not only about the Caddo Indians but the plant life there.
Great information about the Caddo Indians .
Wonderful museum & grounds, exceptional educational displays & excellent tour guide, highly recommend it.
Total reviews rating 4.6
174 Reviews for Caddo Mounds State Historic Site 2023:
Review №1
2021-10-18Nice place to visit. They are in the middle of building a new museum. They still have some artifacts on display. The lady there was super nice and welcoming. Our kids enjoyed the courtesy golf cart ride around the mounds.(on the trail). There is a gift shop area as well.
Review №2
2021-09-25Staff member was extremely welcoming. I enjoyed the easy viewing of mounds via golf cart. Appreciate the opportunity to view and learn of history at this site. Other sites should follow your lead.
Review №3
2022-06-02We had a lovely visit and toured the grounds in a golf cart. Nice to see a bit of our ancestral history up close. Much research is being done on the artifacts found here - by University of Texas. Hope to see that some day.Not long after this visit this entire site was demolished by a tornado that ran down Highway 21, from Alto, TX through Weaches, TX. May it always be remembered for its place in Texas History.
Review №4
2021-06-10Wow! This place was awesome. There was a tornado about 2 years ago and the museum was destroyed. They have improvised by using a temporary structure while they are rebuilding. Unfortunately it has rained so much this spring they haven’t been able to work steadily. They are able to have a small display area and an informative video available explaining the mounds and the Caddo Culture. The entire trail around the mounds,including the El Camino Real section, is a mere 1.5 miles. It was very easy to walk. Please be sure to keep your eyes open for the entrance sign. Since the tornado they are using an area east of the construction site as headquarters and the signs are a little hard to see. They’re white with red lettering, not the typical brown ones for park sites.
Review №5
2022-01-03The ranger on staff was extremely welcoming and accommodating. He is obviously an expert on the area and the culture and exemplifies good interpretive skills. For anyone intimidated by the walk, they offer a golf cart - excellent if you are traveling with children. And, the displays and store are most excellent. Worth the stop!
Review №6
2022-05-23If youre into Archeology, and in the area, Caddo Mounds is a worthwhile stop. FYI they are currently rebuilding the place as of May 2022 following a tornado situation. However there is still a video, a temporary museum exhibit, and a golf cart that you can drive around the site. The weather was overcast when I stopped by which made for a perfect visit.
Review №7
2022-03-17The museum building was demolished by a tornado a few years ago, so they are in the middle of re-building. They do have an office set up to take a small tour of the history of Caddo life, and view a short video. You can also self-tour the mounds and you are provided with a golf cart as part of the admittance fee of $4 per person. We plan on going back once the museum building is complete.
Review №8
2021-05-16Wonderful! It’s so peaceful here! Riding the golf cart around was a great surprise. Really nice lady working there.
Review №9
2022-03-15We were somewhat disappointed. It looks like it is going to be awesome later. But, we passed it and had to come back. A sign needs to be the left side coming from Alto. They were closed on Tuesday even though there site said Monday.
Review №10
2021-05-27Went in the summer during C-19. Not busy; has a small museum/visitors center. Golf carts were available to make touring the site easier. A tornado destroyed the stick/brick center a couple of years ago so the center was an old t-shack, but well air-conditioned!Interesting place and makes me wonder how many mounds there were in the US. Shame we didnt learn about some of this in school.