Located along the Mississippi River in the northeastern part of the state (near Marquette), the Effigy Mounds National Monument is a collection of Native American burial mounds, many of them built in the shapes of birds and animals. A self-guided tour routes visitors along the park trails and past the various mounds. Guided tours are also available. The nearby town of McGregor has the underground wonder Spook Cave, which can be toured by boat (said to be the longest such boat tour in the U.S.). Effigy Mounds National Monument is 160 mi/255 km northeast of Des Moines.
