Explore Ancient Culture at the Hopewell National Historical Park

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On your next visit to Ohio, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Hopewell Culture National Historic Park.  The nearly 1,200 acre Park is located in the south-central area of Ohio.  It features earthworks created by the ancient Hopewell people and is a beautiful natural area where many species of animals and plants thrive.

During your visit to Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, you will learn about the fascinating and mysterious ancient people that built the large earthen structures located throughout the area.  Although scientists do not know the exact significance of the sacred mounds built by the Hopewell people, they are believed to have served as focal points for important ceremonial and social activities between 200 BC and 500 AD.  In addition to seeing the sacred mounds, Hopewell beautiful and intriguing artifacts are on display at the Park, as well.  

In addition to learning about the culture of the ancient people who once inhabited the area, you can also see and learn about plants and animals that once roamed the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park.  There is a museum on site you can explore, or visitors can plan to take a guided Park tour.
You can explore and enjoy the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park grounds with a walk along self-guided, interpretive trails.  There is also a mile long paved bike trail on site. The Park features a variety of natural habitats including wetlands and native grasslands. You can see many different types of birds, fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates as well as plants, trees and fungi all within the bounds of the Park.  

If you are interested in bird watching, pick up a bird checklist at the Park’s Visitor Center.  You can watch for the more than 170 species of birds that have been observed at the Park, including grassland birds and other native species as well as migrants.  On occasion, a bald eagle may even be seen at the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park.

In addition to birds, you can see 35 species of mammals at the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park.  White-tailed deer are a common sight, and you may also see deer mice, chipmunks, and a variety of squirrels.  Many different types of bats live in the park, too. Woodchucks, opossums, shrews, rabbits, coyote, red fox and mink are just a few of the other types of mammals you may see.

Although there is no lodging available at the Park, there are many campgrounds, hotels and other types of accommodations in the immediate vicinity.  There are also no eateries or vending machines at the Park, so visitors should bring whatever food and drink they will need for their day at Hopewell Culture National Historic Park.