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Forest with sunlit grassy mound behind picnic area

Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park

A clearing in the deep forest along the north shore of Lake Jackson reveals reminders of a civilization long gone from the face of Florida.

Tallahassee      ( 30.501509,-84.313847 )      

Protecting a patchwork of archaeological sites along the shores of Lake Jackson north of Tallahassee, Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park interprets the complex at a central location surrounding two large mounds.

Two trails radiate from the parking area as well. The Butler Mill Trail delves into the ruins of Robert Butler’s waterworks, while the Old Orchard Trails are a series of short nature trails through former pecan orchards.


Resources

Resources for exploring this area

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Tallahassee
Trailhead: 30.501509,-84.313847
Address:
Fees: $4-5 per vehicle
Restroom: In the picnic area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone:

Open 8 AM to 5 PM. Leashed dogs welcome. Do not climb on the mounds except by using the provided staircases.


Directions

 
From the US 27 (Monroe St) exit of Interstate 10, drive north on US 27. Follow signs.

About the Park

Part of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex, this series of six earthen temple mounds and a burial mound have offered up pre-Columbian artifacts for archaeologists to study.

In more “modern” times, the land was a plantation that belonged to Florida’s first Surveyor General, Colonel Robert Butler.

A portion of the Butler Mill Trail traverses the old plantation’s waterworks along an earthen dam adjoining a sluiceway once used to irrigate the fields.

Levee above ravine in forest
This levee is a much younger archaeological artifact than the mounds.

Water trickles and splashes down the steephead ravines deep in the forest.

Between the mounds and the ravines, a walk in this park offers some physical challenges.

View from top of mound to grassy clearing below
View from the top of the taller mound towards the picnic pavilion.

Trail Map

Lake Jackson Mounds Trail Map


Explore More

Video

An overview of the park and its trails.


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

White azaleas blooming foreground in a woodland garden

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

In late winter, azaleas create ribbons of bright color beneath the live oak canopy across the grounds of Maclay Gardens, a series of formal gardens along the hillsides sweeping down to Lake Hall.

Bear Creek Tract

Lake Talquin State Forest

With ten distinct tracts surrounding Lake Talquin, a reservoir along the Ochlockonee River, this state forest provides recreation opportunities just west of Tallahassee

Official Website

Category: Florida State Parks, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, Parks, PlacesTag: Archaeological Sites, Big Trees, Birding, Botanical, Florida State Parks, Historic Sites, Picnic, Tallahassee, Wildflowers, Wildlife Viewing

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