Covered pavilion at Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark

The remains of the largest Indian mound complex on the Tennessee River, the Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark, lies within the Shiloh National Military Park boundaries. A hiking trail takes visitors through the complex. Though having nothing to do historically with the Battle of Shiloh, fighting did take place in and around the mounds. After the battle, members of the 28th Illinois Infantry were buried in one of them, though all men were removed later and reinterred at Shiloh National Cemetery.

The mounds were built by Indians during the period known as the Mississippian era, a time when nomadic hunters and gatherers transitioned into a farming lifestyle. These people settled along the banks of the Mississippi, Tennessee, and other southeastern rivers between 1000 and 1700 AD. The mounds at Shiloh were built and occupied between 1100 and 1300. The Indians at Shiloh are most likely related to the modern day Chickasaw Indians.

Six mounds remain from a city that once stretched 22 miles along the Tennessee River. Unfortunately, the mounds outside of the park boundary were destroyed long ago by land developers and farmers. Of the remaining mounds, only one—a round mound on the southern end of the complex—is a burial mound. The rest were used as platforms on which houses or temples were built, and they were most likely reserved for the upper class. Their elevation allowed the rulers to look out over the city. Many other homes were constructed on the ground below. The same principal that higher elevations are more desirable still applies today. The U. S. Capitol is located on a hill, and million dollar mansions are often constructed on hills that offer a commanding view of the surrounding area.

Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail

Shiloh Indian Mound Trail

Length: 1.1 mile-loop
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy, mainly flat

The Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail has its own parking lot just south of the Shiloh National Military Park Visitor Center on Browns Landing Road. It begins at a covered pavilion. Inside are a few information panels that tell about the Indians who lived here. A relief map sculpture of the area is at the trailhead.

Start of the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail at Shiloh National Military Park

Information panels that describe key features of the mound complex have been placed along the route. The first is just a few minutes down the trail. A short boardwalk leads over a ridge that used to be part of the Indian city wall. For protection, the inhabitants built a palisade wall by placing wooden posts in the ground about six inches apart. Though no part of the wall remains, archaeologists know it existed because the post holes are still there. The holes line up to form a wall along the northern and western side of the town, an area opposite from the Tennessee River.

Location of an ancient palisade wall

The Shiloh Indian Mound Trail is not the best marked trail, and taking a wrong turn is quite possible because there are a few unmarked intersections. Not long after the city wall site, the trail splits with no indication as to which way to go. To the left is another information panel, while there is nothing to the right. Thinking logically, I took the left fork, and this seemed to be the correct choice.

Less than ten minutes later you will come to the first of the six mounds. This one is where the Union soldiers were buried. A Civil War tablet marks the spot.

Indian mound where Union soldiers were buried after the Battle of Shiloh

The original burial location of the 28th Illinois Infantry at Shiloh

The rest of the mounds are located on the other side of Riverside Drive, which you will cross shortly after coming to the first mound. There is a small mound at the intersection with the road, and a much larger one is just a short distance ahead. In fact, this is the largest Indian mound at Shiloh, and it is located right on the Tennessee River. The National Park Service has built a set of steps that take you to the top where you can get a good view of the river.

Indian mound at the intersection of the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail and Riverside Drive

Largest mound at Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark

Stairs to the top of the Shiloh Indian Mound located on the Tennessee River

View of the Tennessee River from the top of the largest Indian mound at Shiloh

From the top of the large mound you may be able to see two other mounds in the distance (if the leaves are on the trees, the one on the left may be blocked from view). The official trail continues along the river and passes to the left of these to mounds, so you won’t be going near the one on the right. However, if you haven’t yet tired of Indian mounds and want to check it out, just cut over to it through the woods and then return back to the trail.

View from the top of the largest mound at Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark

As you walk along the Tennessee River you will pass right by the mound on the left (the one you might not have been able to see). I believe this is the burial mound. At this point the trail cuts back to the west, away from the river, and heads towards the parking lot.

Shiloh Indian Mound Trail passes a burial mound

The last mound you will come to features an information panel entitled “Surviving in the Winter.” It is at this point that most people make a key mistake and end up hiking back on the park road instead of finishing the hike on the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail. The trail obviously continues straight ahead, but taking this route brings you to the road. Once there, you won’t find any way to get back on the trail, so you just end up walking back along the road. This adds no extra distance to the hike, for the actual trail parallels the road and lies not too far into the woods. However, you will miss out on three information panels that describe interesting features of the mound complex.

Last mound on the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail at Shiloh National Military Park

To stay on the trail, when you are at the Surviving the Winter information panel, look behind you for another bridge (your 7 o’clock position). This is where the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail continues. The trail to the bridge sort of disappears, so just bushwhack your way over to it. From this point on the hike is straightforward, and the trail soon comes out of the woods just across the street from the parking lot.

Hike towards this bridge to stay on the trail

End of the Shiloh Indian Mounds Trail and Shiloh National Military Park

For those interested in prehistoric Indian culture and history, the hike through the Shiloh Indian Mounds is well worth the time. It is an easy hike along flat terrain and should not take more than an hour of your time.

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