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Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chillicothe, OH

Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffOutdoor AdventureFree

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

16062 State Route 104 · Chillicothe, OH

Why you should go…

This park preserves earthworks built by the Hopewell culture, which flourished from about 200 BC to AD 500. Start at Mound City Group, home to the park's only visitor center, where a low earthen wall surrounds 23 mounds and an orientation film sets the scene. Other units, including Hopewell Mound Group, Hopeton Earthworks and Seip Earthworks, have their own trails. The park became part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks World Heritage Site in 2023.

  • #national historical park
  • #earthworks
  • #world heritage site
  • #native american history
  • #archaeology

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Theatre & Events
    Iconic

    Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama

    $25–$50

    An epic outdoor drama retelling the life of Shawnee leader Tecumseh, staged nightly each summer near Chillicothe.

    4.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Pickaway County

    Free

    Visitor bureau for Pickaway County, Ohio, home of the Circleville Pumpkin Show and area parks and history.

    16 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

    $50+

    Ohio's original zipline canopy tour operator, with courses ranging from family-friendly to high-speed.

    29 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Fairfield County

    Free

    Convention and visitors bureau for Fairfield County, Ohio, south and east of Columbus.

    32 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Serpent Mound

    Under $25

    Walk the path around a 1,348-foot snake-shaped earthwork built by ancient American Indian cultures in southern Ohio.

    33 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    COSI

    $25–$50

    Hands-on science museum on the Scioto riverfront with a planetarium, a dinosaur gallery and themed exhibit halls.

    40 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums