A National Historic Landmark, the Toltec Mounds site comprises one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Preserved here are Arkansas's tallest American Indian mounds. Three mounds remain where 18 once stood surrounded by an earthen embankment eight to ten feet in height, a portion of which is still visible today. These ancient earthworks are the remains of the ceremonial and governmental complex which was inhabited here from A.D. 650 to 1050. The park visitor center features exhibits including artifacts from the site, an A/V theater, and archeological research laboratory. A meeting room and enclosed pavilion (with restrooms) that overlooks the mounds are available for rent.
Take a self-guided tour on the 3/4-mile barrier-free trail or 1.6-mile turf trail, or a guided tour by reservation. Park interpreters lead guided tours and programs throughout the week by group reservation and at scheduled times on Saturdays.
The archeological site/research station is cooperatively managed by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey. The Toltec Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, a unit of the University of Arkansas system, and its laboratory are housed in the park visitor center. Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park is one of Arkansas's two archeological sites cooperatively managed by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Archeological Survey as both a state park and an archeological research station. The other is Parkin Archeological State Park at Parkin.
