Hiking & Exploring Hopewell Mound Group

Hopewell Mound Group is the type-site of the Hopewell culture.  It was once home to the largest Hopewell mound ever constructed.  Today, it is one of the park's six sites and contains trails for visitors to enjoy.  A walk on the trail into the forested area brings visitors to the remnants of a part of the original earthen wall.  Open during daylight hours, the trail is about 2.5 miles long with a few changes in elevation.  A bike path also runs alongside the complex.

Details

Duration

45-180 Minutes

Duration is dependent upon each person's physical stamina and level of interest.

Activity

Hiking

While most of the 2.5 miles of trail are on flat, level ground, there are parts that require ascending in a few spots.  The hike is still an easy to moderate hike.  Trails are gravel and mulch covered and appropriate shoes or hiking boots are recommended.

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets are always welcome, but must be leashed and in control at all times.  Owners are responsible to pick up pet's poop and to dispose of properly.

Activity Fee

No

No fees

Location

Hopewell Mound Group

Located off of Anderson Station Road and Sulfur Lick Road, on the west, northwest side of Chillicothe.

Reservations

No

No reservations required

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

The park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.

Accessibility Information

Hopewell Mound Group:

No visitor services building on site, small restroom facility available at parking area.

• Parking: Two spaces available, closest to restroom facility.
• Trails: Paved from parking lot area, flat surface. One paved sidewalk which ends about 250 feet from parking area. Remainder of trails covered with mulch, pebbled dirt or grass. Elevation gain on northeast portion of perimeter trail. Slight elevation changes on north-side of perimeter trail. Narrow, wooden bridge crossing low-lying stream on north-northwest portion of perimeter trail.
• Restrooms: Men's and Women's both wheelchair accessible.
• No pay phones
• Picnic shelter: Open-air, covered shelter provided on the south-side of parking area. Paved sidewalk from parking area to shelter entrance. Handicap accessible shelter with regular and wheelchair-friendly picnic tables.

This 300-acre site is the type site for the Hopewell culture. Early archeologists named the site for its owner, Mordecai C. Hopewell. The general shape of the Hopewell Mound Group is a parallelogram 1,800 feet long on the east and the west sides and 2,800 feet long on the north and south. Archeologists estimated that the walls were originally 35 feet wide at the base and enclosed an area of 111 acres. A smaller square enclosure with sides 850 feet long is connected to the east side of the parallelogram. Remnants of the east, west, and north walls are visible. Two earthworks features are located within the parallelogram, one circular and one D-shaped. Three of the seven mounds in the D-shaped enclosure are joined. Their original size is estimated to be 500 feet long, 180 feet wide, and 30 feet tall. This is the largest known mound constructed by the Hopewell culture, and a remnant of it is visible today.

Today, the site has a 2.5 mile interpretive trail and a portion of the Rails-To-Trails bike path. Bikes are only permitted on the bike path, not on the interpretive trail. A pavillion with a number of picnic tables is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is located adjacent to the parking lot and about 100 feet away from the restroom building.

For additional information, directions to Hopewell Mound Group and for a downloadable site map with trail locations, please visit the park's Hopewell Mound Group page.