The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks served as ceremonial centers and were built by dispersed, non-hierarchically organized groups. At sites such as the Mound City Group, this heritage comes to life through tangible shapes and dimensions: 23 mounds of various sizes and shapes are enclosed by an earthen wall about three feet high. The Mound City Group is the only restored Hopewell earthwork.
Earthworks and Their Varied Forms
At the Mound City Group visitor center, a 19-minute orientation film offers an introduction. The NPS information, updated May 14, 2025, lists opening hours as 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Check current hours before your visit. The site includes a nature trail and a separate paved walking path along the Scioto River.
The Hopewell Mound Group covered about 130 acres, with 29 burial mounds, and is considered the type site of the Hopewell culture. The paved Tri-County Triangle Trail runs through the site. At Hopeton Earthworks, a 1.1-mile loop trail leads to an overlook; the site is open to visitors during daylight hours. A row of monumental wooden posts once stood here, forming a gigantic “Woodhenge.” At Seip Earthworks, visitors can see a restored central mound and a reconstructed section of the original large circle. A well-maintained, relatively flat nature trail leads from the parking lot to the reconstructed mound.
High Bank Works also combine earthwork history with a distinctive setting: they cover 197 acres on a terrace above the Scioto River. Their walls and gateways are thought to align with the 18.6-year lunar standstill cycle; the earthworks also appear to mark the four solstices. The cautious wording matters: the alignment is described as a possible interpretation, not a certainty.
Forests, Gorges, and Wetlands
Several nature experiences come together at Buzzard’s Roost. The area preserves more than 1,500 acres and has more than seven miles of wooded hiking trails. From the Lookout Trail, you can see layers of sandstone and shale dropping into Paint Creek Gorge. The Hoggard Trail passes the Hoggard Family Cemetery and goes by remains and other traces of earlier settlement. The Den adds interactive features and a terrace for relaxing in nature. It opened to the public on May 15, 2026; visitor access may be limited, so check ahead.
At Herron-Downs Fen, the Sycamore Trail offers views of the lowlands and a chance to observe a landscape where wetlands are being restored. Kinnikinnick Fen is a 154-acre alkaline wetland with several endangered plant species and some animal species that are endangered in Ohio. Maple Grove Prairie shows a different kind of landscape change: the 99-acre former agricultural land has been transformed into a landscape of native grasses and wildflowers. Wetland, forest, and open prairie thus stand alongside one another as distinct nature experiences.
History in the Museum, at the House, and on Stage
Exhibits at the Ross County Heritage Center range from the history of the Northwest Territory and the formation of Ohio to prehistoric cultures of the Scioto River Valley, the Civil War, and Camp Sherman. Decorative arts, vehicles, and transportation are also featured. A guided tour also includes the Knoles Log House. All public areas of the Heritage Center are accessible, and ADA-compliant off-street parking is available for cars and buses.
Adena Mansion & Gardens is a National Historic Landmark; construction of the house was completed in 1807. Visitors can explore the gardens, grounds, outbuildings, and education and visitor center. The renovated grounds include three terraces with flowers and vegetables, an orchard, grapevines, and a grove of trees. These features offer a different way to explore history than the earthworks, with a focus on the house, garden, and landscaped grounds.
The outdoor drama TECUMSEH! tells the life story of a legendary Shawnee leader who fought to defend his sacred homeland in the Ohio Country of the late 18th century. The production, staged at the large outdoor Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, features galloping horses and a live military cannon. More than 2.5 million people have seen the play since its 1973 premiere. If you plan to include it in your trip, check performance dates in advance.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Londonderry, Chillicothe, Knox County, Guernsey, Monroe, Summit, Ashtabula County, Shelby County.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
