Madira Bickel Mound State Archeological Site

Madira Bickel Mound State Archeological Site is located at Bayshore Drive in Palmetto, Florida and is approximately one and a half miles off US-19. This is a 10-acre Native American site that was donated to the state in 1948 by Karl and Madira Bickel. The park is open to the public all year round from 8am until sundown.

The main feature of the park is the mound, which measures 100 by 170 feet at the base and is 20 feet high. It is made of sand, shell and village debris and archaeological excavations have found that some of it probably dates as far back as 2,000 years. Visitors can climb the north side of the mound via stairs filled with shell and complete with handrails on each side.

There are picnic tables situated at the park so visitors can enjoy a packed lunch during their stay here. However, there are other eateries in close proximity to the park including a Mexican restaurant called Popi IV, which is about 300 meters away in US Highway 301. A little further along the same highway is Hickory Hollow Barbeque and an Applebee's can be found on 18th Street East in Ellenton.