If you are in the mood to get some fresh air and hike the trails at Effigy Mounds National Monument near Harpers Ferry, you will be disappointed, at least for now.


Back on March 13th, the Mounds' Visitor Center was ordered closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but at that time the trails were still open to the public.
Now, as of last Saturday, April 18th, even the trails that wind through the woods are closed.

The order was in alignment with the Public Health Emergency Proclamation made by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, on April 16th. The entire Monument is now temporarily closed, until further notice.

All of the hiking trails within the park are closed to the public, including the North Unit trail which leads to Fire Point and Hanging Rock, the South Unit trail system that passes by the Marching Bear Group of mounds, and Sny Magill.

According to the park's superintendent, the trails are very narrow in places, which would force hikers to closely pass one another, not giving proper social distancing to avoid passing the virus from person to person.

The monument will continue to be monitored by Effigy Mounds staff. The situation will be updated as needed, with the park status announced on the Mounds' website at www.nps.gov/efmo, as well as their Facebook page.

The park is located north of Marquette, with most of the facility in Allamakee County.

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