More than 1,200 years ago, a group of ancestral Caddo built a village and ceremonial center here. Today, three earthen mounds, still considered sacred to Caddo people, rise from the lush Piney Woods landscape. Learn how the Caddo lived on the land through exhibits and programs.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m
Tickets
Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1
See the site
Plan Your Visit
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is a prehistoric village and ceremonial center located on the original El Camino Real de los Tejas.
Plan a Field Trip
Guided field trips are scheduled for groups of 15 or more; not counting underaged siblings or chaperones.
Caddo Mounds History
The Caddo selected this site for a permanent settlement about A.D. 800.
Events at Caddo Mounds
Caddo Culture Day
Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.You are invited to Join Caddo Mounds SHS and Caddo citizens in celebration of Caddo history and contemporary culture. Caddo Culture Day offers entertainment for the whole family. ****Make sure to mark that you are interested in attending this event, so that you see all updates to the event details.**** The Friends of Caddo Mounds will provide lunch for all volunteers! Want to volunteer? Please call 936-858-3218 (Tuesday-Sunday). Scheduled Activities: Welcome 10:00, Friends of Caddo Mounds President Jackie Bullard & Assistant Site Manager Rachel Galan Traditional cooking with Chase Kahwinhut Earles 11:00 AM, Grass House Caddo Stories with Kricket Rhoads-Connywerdy 1:00, location TBA Caddo artist & vendor booths, cultural demonstrations, ancestral technology activities, and more, all day Cultural Demonstrations by: Yonavea Hawkins, Jackie Bullard, others TBA Geocaching, outdoor loom, seed saving & activity backpacks, all day Food Vendor, Tacos Perez (gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options) Cameras are permitted and lawn chairs and/or blankets are encouraged. *Event Etiquette. Never touch a Native American dancer's regalia. If you feel the need to touch, always ask permission, and be gentle and considerate. Respect the personal space of dancers as you should for anyone else. You'll find that most dancers are friendly and will answer your questions about their regalia. Admission is free, but donations to the Friends of Caddo Mounds, Inc. are appreciated. Ample parking is provided. Caddo Mounds SHS is located 6 miles west of Alto, and approximately 30 minutes from Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Jacksonville, and Crockett, Texas. Call 936-858-3218 for directions or additional information. This year, events are sponsored in part by the Nacogdoches Public Library and the Big Read.
Traditional Pottery with Chase Kahwinhut Earles
Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Class Four: Firing the Pot - September 14 & 15 Are you interested in the traditional methods of ancient pottery making? This workshop, traditional Caddo Pottery with Chase Kahwinhut Earles, is a rare opportunity to experience the traditions of Caddo pottery from digging the clay to firing the pot. - Workshop Full -
Family Garden Camp - Growing in Snake Woman’s Garden
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.During the fall growing season, Caddo Mounds State Historic Site will host a series of Family Garden programs on six Wednesday mornings. Growing Together in Snake Woman’s Garden will focus on key gardening concepts while weaving in Caddo agricultural culture. Families will learn about the connection between plants, animals, and humans as it relates to growing food, flowers, and herbs. There will be hands-on activities in the garden and opportunities to taste healthy foods, We welcome families to sign up for all 6 sessions, but each day will also be a stand-alone learning opportunity. Each camp has a $10 registration/supply fee per family. If your family plans to attend all six camps there is a $30 registration/supply fee per family for all six camps! Register by calling 936-858-3218. Camp Dates: October 2, 16 & 30; November 6 & 20; and December 4, 2024.
Caddo Mounds in the Blog
The Grass of Home
Grass houses at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site were usually occupied by one or two families. Building them was an effort that involved the whole town.
A Trail Through Texas History: El Camino Real de los Tejas
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail was designated as part of the National Trails System by the U.S. Congress in 2004, but its story started far earlier, as a series of routes laid by Indigenous Texans and later followed by Spanish colonists, French explorers, Anglo-American settlers, and enslaved people seeking freedom.
Historic Road Trip: Nacogdoches and San Augustine
Known as the “Oldest Town in Texas,” Nacogdoches takes immense pride in its history. In fact, the entire downtown is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Nacogdoches honors its heritage through a statue of the city’s founder, Gil Y’Barbo, and numerous historical museums, each conserving a different part of the town’s 241-year legacy. In reality, its settlement is much older—Caddo Indians arrived in this area 10,000 years prior to the city’s establishment.
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
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