One of the things I love about learning Texas history is the diverse groups of people that lived and loved the land. Caddo Mounds State Historic Site celebrates the Hasinai Caddo peoples, the village they built, and the beauty they left behind. You can visit this historic site Wednesday – Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for youth, and you get a bonus – access to a golf cart to help you get around the site. Let’s explore!
Visitor Center
Head to the visitor center when you arrive. Pay the admission fee and watch the park video. It’s not a very long film, but it is packed with background information about the people and site. It only adds to the experience so I would highly recommend taking the time to watch it.
Mounds
As you make your way through the grounds, you’ll notice it goes in a large circle. Head left from the visitor center (close to Highway 21) to begin. Educational markers are placed all throughout so pay attention to those and stop when you see one. Some MUST SEE points of interest are the Caddo Grass House, Snake Woman’s Garden, High Temple Mound, Low Platform Mound, Barrow Pit, Burial Mound, and El Camino Real.
High Temple Mound
High Temple Mound
Burial Mound
Lower Mound
El Camino Real
A unique feature of this park is its access to the El Camino Real de las Tejas National Historic Trail. The route stretches from Mexico to Louisiana and you can read all about it at the link below. For this park in particular, make your way across Weeping Mary Road to the EL Camino Real Walking Trails. There are 4 trail options to choose from and I would suggest going on them all. Each are a short distance and a different experience. You'll pass a very old barn, a wildflower plot, and a pond. The pond is of particular interest because it is highly likely that it is an alligator nursery. That's right! Alligators! The rangers at the park told us that they have never seen an alligator longer than 4 feet in length in and around the pond. This leads them to believe that once they are large enough, they will travel to larger bodies of water. Yet, they consistently see smaller alligators at this pond. NOTE: This is not confirmed, but just what the rangers are noticing around the pond. Regardless, the El Camino Real trail is one to hike on so don't miss it.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, Texas Historical Commission, or the National Park Service.
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