National Historical Park

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Midwest

About Hopewell Culture

Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, rituals, and rites of passage associated with a Native American religious movement that swept over half the continent for almost 400 years. Come walk among the earthworks and experience the past.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Midwest
State: Ohio
Designation: National Historical Park
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Hopewell Culture.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Park Grounds

Mon: Sunrise to Sunset
Tue: Sunrise to Sunset
Wed: Sunrise to Sunset
Thu: Sunrise to Sunset
Fri: Sunrise to Sunset
Sat: Sunrise to Sunset
Sun: Sunrise to Sunset

The park grounds at Mound City Group, Hopewell Mound Group, Hopeton Earthworks and Seip Earthworks are open every day of the year, during daylight hours. All park grounds officially close at sunset and re-open at sunrise.

Weather and when to go

The park lies in a humid continental zone with a generally temperate climate. Winters are mildly cold with average temperatures around 30 degrees (F). Summers are hot and humid with an average temperature around 75 degrees (F). Average annual total rainfall is just under 38". Snowfall in the winter is generally light with an average total snowfall of less than 24".

Getting there

Take U.S. 23. Exit U.S. 23 at State Route 207 and turn right. Continue on S.R. 207 for 2 miles until it merges with S.R. 104 (Make no turns, continue straight on road as it turns into S.R. 104). Follow S.R. 104, turn left into park (approximately 1.8 miles past the S.R. 104 & S.R. 207 intersection), follow entrance road to visitor center.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 774-1125
Email: hocu_info@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/hocu

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Hopewell Culture

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Hopewell Culture

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Mysteries of the Ancient Architects Film

Park Film · about 20 min

Another popular choice for visitors is the highly-recommended park orientation film. Mysteries of the Ancient Architects gives viewers an overview of these American Indians and th…
Hiking & Exploring Mound City Group

Front-Country Hiking · about 1.3 hours

Visit the reconstructed earthwork site of the Hopewell culture which dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Walk amongst the mounds and reflect upon the culture's workmanship and pon…
Hiking & Exploring Hopeton Earthworks

Hiking · about 1.7 hours

Explore the Hopeton Earthworks site and take in the engineering marvel that these incredible Native Americans accomplished over 2,000 years ago. Visitors will also enjoy the natur…
Hiking & Exploring Seip Earthworks

Front-Country Hiking · about 1.3 hours

Seip Earthworks is a marvel of geometric grandeur that was constructed by the Hopewell culture over 2,000 years ago. Today, visitors can take in the magnitude of the site's scale…
Hiking & Exploring Hopewell Mound Group

Hiking · about 1.5 hours

The home to the largest Hopewell mound ever constructed and the type-site of the Hopewell culture, Hopewell Mound Group offers visitors a glimpse into the past by showcasing the v…