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Aztalan State Park, Lake Mills

3.7

#3 of 6 in Things to do in Lake Mills

Aztalan State Park is a Wisconsin state park in the Town of Aztalan, Jefferson County, at latitude N 43° 4′ and longitude W 88° 52′. Established in 1952, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The park covers 172 acres (0.7 km² or 70 ha) along the Crawfish River.Aztalan is the site of an ancient Mississippian culture settlement that flourished during the 10th to 13th centuries. The indigenous people constructed massive earthwork mounds for religious and political purposes. They were part of a widespread culture with important settlements throughout the Mississippi River valley and its tributaries. Their trading network extended from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, and into the southeast of the present-day United States.Pre-history (900–1300)Aztalan was first settled around 900 by a Native American culture known as the Middle Mississippian Tradition. The chief center of a Middle Mississippian settlement is at Cahokia, in present-day Illinois, a city that at its peak had 20,000–30,000 people. This was not surpassed by Europeans in North America until after 1800. These settlements are characterized by the construction of mounds, stockades, and houses, by decorated Mississippian culture pottery and agricultural practices. There are also elements of the Woodland culture found there.

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Aztalan State Park Reviews

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By John R On October 24, 2017

Well worth the visit. Its amazing to see back into their culture. And the Creek is beautiful and peaceful. more »
By Tony T On September 16, 2017

We toured the Museum compound adjacent to the State park on the north. It did include info on the archaeological digs at the park and some artifacts. The park has good walking trails, representations ... more »
By Tezcat51 On August 26, 2017

Fantastic reminder of a culture few really know existed! Not as large as Cahokia but SO obviously the same people (the reviewer that said it was the Aztecs was wrong). more »

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By Stephanie Rawlins On March 10, 2018

Small but interesting be place to walk around. The kids (ages 10, 9 & 7) loved running along the paths and up and over the mounds.

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By J Howlinutz howland On April 9, 2018

It's really cool, you get to explore the outdoors and walk through forts and walk along the river

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By Alan Sherman On March 29, 2018

One of the many State treasures so close to Madison and Milwaukee. Living History so close to so many.

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By Jill Heczko On September 5, 2017

We didn't get to explore as much as we wanted because my daughter got sick. What we did see was pretty cool. We stopped at the Visitor's Center, which is temporarily in a trailer. The volunteer was very enthusiastic an knowledgeable. The video was very good. It is fairly easy to get to the reconstructed village. I wish the signage was a little better, but it wasn't bad.

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By Sarah Cassidy On December 20, 2017

One of the smaller state parks. Not as built up as some. But, that makes for a more peaceful hiking experience. Be sure to read the signs about the areas history.

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