Vernal Equinox Walks

Come celebrate the beginning of spring a little differently this year. On Friday, March 19, there will be a series of guided Vernal Equinox Walks at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center where visitors can learn from an archaeologist about the spring equinox. There will be walks at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m., led by archaeologist and manager Dennis Peterson.

Each walk will take about two hours and require a mile of easy walking. Peterson will tell about this unique, prehistoric American Indian mound site, the types of mounds, why they were created, and why some of the mounds are lined up for the sunsets of the solstices and equinoxes. He will tell the history of the excavations, Native ceremonies and stories, tales of the unusual happenings associated with the mounds, and answer questions.

There is a small fee for this series of tours of $5 for adults and $3 for children. This will be in addition to the regular entrance fee. Check or cash is accepted, but credit cards are not accepted. Oklahoma Historical Society and Spiro Mounds Development Association members pay no regular admission fees. No reservations are required except for large groups.

Due to the continuing precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed inside the center at any one time, although more can explore the trails. We ask everyone to be patient as staff may need to rotate visitors in and out of the center to maintain the limits set by the state.

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric American Indian site open to the public in Oklahoma. The center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and is closed for state holidays. Daily admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children older than six, and $18 for families. The center is located three miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road. For more information or to schedule a group or school tour during the Equinox Walks or another time, please call 918-962-2062 or email spiro@okhistory.org.