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An early morning sun casting long shadows over grass-covered mounds. Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

National Historical Park · Ohio

Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio.

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationChillicothe, OH
  • Entrance No fee listed
  • HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
  • Weather now86°F Overcast
  • Alerts No active alerts

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.

Topics
  • Animals
  • Archeology
  • Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
  • Native American Heritage
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • World War I
A tan building with a red-peaked roof surrounded by green grass and tan sidewalks
The Mound City Group visitor center main entrance with Mound City Group in the background view — NPS / Tom Engberg

Things to Do

11 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.

A green, grassy field with taller areas of uncut grass in geometric shapes under a partly cloudy sky
The overlook area of Hopeton Earthworks allowing visitors to view the interpretive mowing of the geometric shapes — NPS / Tom Engberg

Facilities & Services

Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Other Visitor Services

  • Snowy Mound City Group

    Mound City Group Visitor Center

    Facility

    The only visitor center among all open sites of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is at Mound City Group. Except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New…

    16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe, OH (740) 774-1126 Directions

    Details
    The only visitor center among all open sites of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is at Mound City Group. Except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the visitor center maintains regular Hours of Operation on a daily basis. Mound City Group visitor center is located on the north side of Chillicothe, on State Route 104, just north of the intersection with U.S. 35.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Park Grounds

Hours details
  • Park GroundsDaily, 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.

    MondaySunrise to Sunset
    TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
    WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
    ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
    FridaySunrise to Sunset
    SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
    SundaySunrise to Sunset

Entrance fees

No entrance fees listed.

Weather

86°F
Overcast · feels like 81°
  • Today 88° 60°
    Overcast
    9% rain
  • Tomorrow 72° 54°
    Overcast
    85% rain
  • Saturday 68° 50°
    Sunny
    17% rain

Updated 3 hr ago

What to expect by season

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".

Contact the park

Photos

  • An overlook area showing a green grassy field with a panel showing artwork and text
    The main overlook area of Hopewell Mound Group showing the enormity of the site. — NPS / Tom Engberg
  • A grassy trail running between tall trees in a green field leads to a large grass-covered mound
  • A tan-orange curved information desk with a man sitting behind the counter
  • Several children walking with a park ranger in a flat hat near grass-covered mounds.
  • Several square pedestals hold books and other gifts in the middle of a carpeted floor
2 more photos

Getting There

16062 State Route 104
Chillicothe, OH 45601

Take U.S. 23. Exit U.S. 23 at State Route 207 and turn right.

Full directions

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.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: 16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe, OH 45601

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