Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

National Historical Park · OH · nps.gov page

An early morning sun casting long shadows over grass-covered mounds. — Dawn at the Mound City Group as the sun casts long shadows over the grass.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

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.

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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 viewPhoto: NPS / Tom Engberg

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 shapesPhoto: NPS / Tom Engberg

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.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

A grassy trail running between tall trees in a green field leads to a large grass-covered mound — A cut grass trail leading to the large Seip Mound at Seip Earthworks.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

A tan-orange curved information desk with a man sitting behind the counter — The information desk inside of the Mound City Group visitor center.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

Several children walking with a park ranger in a flat hat near grass-covered mounds. — A school field trip visiting the Mound City Group as a ranger leads them on a tour.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

Several square pedestals hold books and other gifts in the middle of a carpeted floor — The bookstore inside of the Mound City Group visitor center.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

An asphalt path with a steel handrail on the left with green vegetative slope to the right. — The paved river walk trail at the Mound City Group.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

A gray coyote begins walking in the grass in front of a grass-covered mound — A lone coyote stares at the photographer while walking in front of a mound at Mound City Group.Photo: NPS / Tom Engberg

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.