Woodhenge at Cahokia Mounds

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Explore the ancient solar calendar at Cahokia Mounds' Woodhenge, a testament to the Mississippian culture's astronomical knowledge.

Woodhenge is a reconstructed series of timber circles at Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Collinsville, Illinois. These circles, built by the Mississippian culture between 900 and 1100 CE, served as solar calendars, marking solstices and equinoxes. The reconstructed Woodhenge provides a glimpse into the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of the ancient Cahokians.

A brief summary to Woodhenge

Fairmont City, Illinois, SP4 7AR, US
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Monday 7 am-7 pm
Tuesday 7 am-7 pm
Wednesday 7 am-7 pm
Thursday 7 am-7 pm
Friday 7 am-7 pm
Saturday 7 am-7 pm
Sunday 7 am-7 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Woodhenge.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain can be uneven.
Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for a quieter experience.
Bring a camera to capture the unique wooden structures and surrounding views.
Check the Cahokia Mounds website for special events and guided tours.

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Getting There

Walking

From the Cahokia Mounds Visitor Center, walk southwest towards the mounds. Follow the path towards Monk's Mound, the largest mound. Continue along the trails leading to Woodhenge, following the signs. The walk is approximately 0.5 miles and takes about 15-20 minutes. There are no fees associated with walking to Woodhenge.
Public Transport

The Madison County Transit (MCT) Bus #18 runs between downtown Collinsville and various locations in St. Louis. It stops at the intersection of Black Lane/Fairmont Ave. and Collinsville Road, a short distance from the Interpretive Center. From there, walk approximately 0.76 miles west on Collinsville Road to the site. Note that it is a soft-shoulder street. An alternative is to take the MCT Bus #18 to the Collinsville Station in downtown Collinsville and take a taxi from there. MCT bus fare is approximately $1-$3. A taxi from Collinsville Station to Cahokia Mounds would cost approximately $10-$15.
Driving

From the Cahokia Mounds Visitor Center parking lot, turn left onto Collinsville Road. Turn right onto Route 111. Follow Route 111 until you reach the entrance for Woodhenge. Parking is available near Woodhenge. There are no parking fees. The drive is approximately 1 mile and takes about 5 minutes.

Discover more about Woodhenge

Located west of Monks Mound, Woodhenge is a fascinating feature of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. This reconstructed circle of wooden posts is believed to have been used by the Mississippian people to track the movements of the sun and mark important dates in the solar year. The posts align with the summer and winter solstices, as well as the spring and autumn equinoxes, acting as a sophisticated calendar.The first Woodhenge was discovered in 1961, and further excavations revealed a series of five circles, each with a different diameter and number of posts. The reconstructed Woodhenge, based on Woodhenge III, was erected in 1985 using the original posthole locations. The posts were made of red cedar, a wood considered sacred by the native people. Some believe the posts may have also been painted red.Woodhenge likely held both practical and religious significance for the Cahokians. In addition to its function as a calendar, it may have been used in religious ceremonies or as an aid in laying out the city. Today, visitors can walk among the posts and imagine the lives of the people who once gathered here to observe the changing seasons. Sunrise observation events are held at the site during the equinoxes and solstices.