Most people don’t realize just how many prehistoric remnants still exist here in The Buckeye State. Believe it or not, you might even spot some when you visit hiking trails with ancient ruins in Ohio. Our state is rich with evidence of the ancient Native American legacy. From impressive earthworks to reconstructed villages, the following are 10 archaeological sites with beautiful trails you need to explore. (Some even have on-site museums!) Check it out:

  1. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (Chillicothe)

April Dray/Only In Your State Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture. You’ll find this impressive park at 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

  1. Indian Mound Reserve (Cedarville)

Becker 1999/Flickr The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails that are less than a mile long, managed by the Greene County Park District. (We recommend taking the .6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls after you’ve explored the mounds.) Indian Mound Reserve is located at 2750 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314.

  1. Fort Hill State Memorial (Hillsboro)

Mark Plummer/Flickr Both a Hilltop and Circle Earthwork can be found in Hillsboro. These earthworks were also built by the Hopewell, and can only be seen by hiking the Fort Hill Trail and Buckeye Trail. Fort Hill State Memorial is located at 13614 Fort Hill Rd., Hillsboro, OH 45133.

  1. Great Serpent Mound (Peebles)

Ghostfire Photography/Flickr The largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world can be found right here in Ohio in Adams County. The 1,348 ft. long uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head. Although no artifacts or written records were found near the mound to determine who built it, a nearby village site shows evidence of occupation by both the Adena and the later Fort Ancient Cultures. The original purpose of the mound remains a mystery, though there is some evidence for astronomical correlations, according to arcofappalachia.org. You can find this impressive earthwork at 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660.

  1. Fort Ancient Earthworks (Oregonia)

Wally Gobetz/Flickr The largest hilltop enclosure in North America can be found in Warren County, above the banks of the Little Miami River. This 126-acre plateau is enclosed by embankment walls that stand about 5 to 23 feet high, which were constructed by the Hopewell Indians by repeatedly dumping baskets of soil on top of one another. Although the exact purpose of the embankment is unknown, archeologists speculate that it was built for ceremonial purposes rather than as a fortress. Today, several research projects still continue ever since remote sensing lead to the discovery of a circular arrangement of posts beneath the ground (commonly known as the Moorhead Circle) in 2005, according to fortancient.org. Fort Ancient Earthworks is located at 6123 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054.

  1. Marietta Earthworks (Marietta)

Mike/Flickr This Hopewell ceremonial center is located at the junction of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers in Washington County. Three segments of the Marietta Earthworks are preserved today. Pictured is Conus Mound, which can be found in Mound Cemetery.

  1. Flint Ridge State Memorial (Glenford)

Paula R. Lively/Flickr Also known as the “Great Indian Quarry of Ohio,” these eight miles of quarry pits and high-quilaity flint were used by all of Ohio’s ancient American Indian cultures at one point or another. There is also an onsite museum for visitors to explore and learn more about the archeology and geology of Flint Ridge. It’s located at 7091 Brownsville Rd., Glenford, OH 43739.

  1. SunWatch Indian Village (Dayton)

Ted/Flickr This partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village in Dayton features several restored houses on their original foundations. The massive cedar pole at the center of the village, serving as a sundial, gives the village its name. Visitors can also explore an onsite museum. SunWatch Indian Village is located at 2301 W River Rd., Dayton, OH 45417.

  1. Newark Earthworks (Heath)

Lisa Jacobs/Flickr The largest and most complex set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world were built by the Hopewell between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., and remnants of these massive earthworks still exist today. In spite of the growth of the city of Newark, three major segments of earthworks are preserved; the Great Circle Earthworks, the Octagon Earthworks and the Wright Earthworks. Newark Earthworks is located at 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH 43056.

  1. Miamisburg Mound State Memorial (Miamisburg)

Ted/Flickr The Miaimisburg Mound is the largest Adena culture burial mound in Ohio and one of the two largest conical mounds in eastern North America. It is 65 feet tall and 800 feet in circumference, and contains 54,000 cubic yards of earth, according to ohiohistory.org. It’s located at 900 Mound Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342.

Have you explored any of these hiking trails with ancient ruins in Ohio? If so, share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us in the comments!

April Dray/Only In Your State

Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture. You’ll find this impressive park at 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

Becker 1999/Flickr

The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails that are less than a mile long, managed by the Greene County Park District. (We recommend taking the .6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls after you’ve explored the mounds.) Indian Mound Reserve is located at 2750 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314.

Mark Plummer/Flickr

Both a Hilltop and Circle Earthwork can be found in Hillsboro. These earthworks were also built by the Hopewell, and can only be seen by hiking the Fort Hill Trail and Buckeye Trail. Fort Hill State Memorial is located at 13614 Fort Hill Rd., Hillsboro, OH 45133.

Ghostfire Photography/Flickr

The largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world can be found right here in Ohio in Adams County. The 1,348 ft. long uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head. Although no artifacts or written records were found near the mound to determine who built it, a nearby village site shows evidence of occupation by both the Adena and the later Fort Ancient Cultures. The original purpose of the mound remains a mystery, though there is some evidence for astronomical correlations, according to arcofappalachia.org. You can find this impressive earthwork at 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660.

Wally Gobetz/Flickr

The largest hilltop enclosure in North America can be found in Warren County, above the banks of the Little Miami River. This 126-acre plateau is enclosed by embankment walls that stand about 5 to 23 feet high, which were constructed by the Hopewell Indians by repeatedly dumping baskets of soil on top of one another. Although the exact purpose of the embankment is unknown, archeologists speculate that it was built for ceremonial purposes rather than as a fortress. Today, several research projects still continue ever since remote sensing lead to the discovery of a circular arrangement of posts beneath the ground (commonly known as the Moorhead Circle) in 2005, according to fortancient.org. Fort Ancient Earthworks is located at 6123 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054.

Mike/Flickr

This Hopewell ceremonial center is located at the junction of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers in Washington County. Three segments of the Marietta Earthworks are preserved today. Pictured is Conus Mound, which can be found in Mound Cemetery.

Paula R. Lively/Flickr

Also known as the “Great Indian Quarry of Ohio,” these eight miles of quarry pits and high-quilaity flint were used by all of Ohio’s ancient American Indian cultures at one point or another. There is also an onsite museum for visitors to explore and learn more about the archeology and geology of Flint Ridge. It’s located at 7091 Brownsville Rd., Glenford, OH 43739.

Ted/Flickr

This partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village in Dayton features several restored houses on their original foundations. The massive cedar pole at the center of the village, serving as a sundial, gives the village its name. Visitors can also explore an onsite museum. SunWatch Indian Village is located at 2301 W River Rd., Dayton, OH 45417.

Lisa Jacobs/Flickr

The largest and most complex set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world were built by the Hopewell between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., and remnants of these massive earthworks still exist today. In spite of the growth of the city of Newark, three major segments of earthworks are preserved; the Great Circle Earthworks, the Octagon Earthworks and the Wright Earthworks. Newark Earthworks is located at 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH 43056.

The Miaimisburg Mound is the largest Adena culture burial mound in Ohio and one of the two largest conical mounds in eastern North America. It is 65 feet tall and 800 feet in circumference, and contains 54,000 cubic yards of earth, according to ohiohistory.org. It’s located at 900 Mound Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USAAddress: Indian Mound Reserve, 3491 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314, USAAddress: Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve, 13614 Fort Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USAAddress: Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660, USAAddress: 6123 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054, USAAddress: Ancient Earthworks, 333 5th St, Marietta, OH 45750, USAAddress: Flint Ridge State Memorial, 15300 Flint Ridge Rd, Heath, OH 43056, USAAddress: Sunwatch Indian Village, 2301 W River Rd, Dayton, OH 45417, USAAddress: Newark Earthworks, 455 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056, USAAddress: Miamisburg Mound Park, 900 Mound Rd, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking trails with ancient ruins in Ohio May 31, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the oldest archaeological sites in Ohio? There are many archaeological sites in Ohio, but few quite compare to the Paleo Crossing Site in Medina County. In addition to being one of the oldest in Ohio, this site is one of the oldest to demonstrate human activity in the New World. This landscape in Sharon Center, known as the Old Dague Farm Site to locals, features Clovis artifacts from circa 13,000 years ago. Yes, really! There is evidence that humans sheltered at this site for prolonged periods, and carbon dating indicates that the structure could be from circa 10,200 B.C.E. That would make this the oldest known structure in North America… and it’s hidden on what is now a private residential site here in Ohio. What are the oldest businesses in Ohio? On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted to the Union. The first European businesses to prosper in the area were French fur trading posts, but those are long gone. Now, the oldest businesses in Ohio are Turpin Farms, Atkins & Pearce, and Jacob Bromwell. All of these long-standing businesses got their start in Cincinnati, opening in 1785, 1817, and 1819, respectively. However, many towns have businesses that are just slightly younger than these! Don’t be afraid to explore local historical societies to learn more. What are the best historic attractions in Ohio? Love learning about The Buckeye State? You’ll enjoy a visit to our incredible historical sites. Pretty places like Milan quietly house the birthplace of Thomas A. Edison, and unsuspecting cemeteries house the remains of leaders like William Henry Harrison. As seven presidents in United States history have hailed from Ohio, you will find many historical sites related to past presidencies. And, of course, you’ll hear tales of past presidents like Theodore Roosevelt paying visits to the state to mingle with residents.

The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking trails with ancient ruins in Ohio

May 31, 2020

Nikki Rhoades

What are the oldest archaeological sites in Ohio? There are many archaeological sites in Ohio, but few quite compare to the Paleo Crossing Site in Medina County. In addition to being one of the oldest in Ohio, this site is one of the oldest to demonstrate human activity in the New World. This landscape in Sharon Center, known as the Old Dague Farm Site to locals, features Clovis artifacts from circa 13,000 years ago. Yes, really! There is evidence that humans sheltered at this site for prolonged periods, and carbon dating indicates that the structure could be from circa 10,200 B.C.E. That would make this the oldest known structure in North America… and it’s hidden on what is now a private residential site here in Ohio. What are the oldest businesses in Ohio? On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted to the Union. The first European businesses to prosper in the area were French fur trading posts, but those are long gone. Now, the oldest businesses in Ohio are Turpin Farms, Atkins & Pearce, and Jacob Bromwell. All of these long-standing businesses got their start in Cincinnati, opening in 1785, 1817, and 1819, respectively. However, many towns have businesses that are just slightly younger than these! Don’t be afraid to explore local historical societies to learn more. What are the best historic attractions in Ohio? Love learning about The Buckeye State? You’ll enjoy a visit to our incredible historical sites. Pretty places like Milan quietly house the birthplace of Thomas A. Edison, and unsuspecting cemeteries house the remains of leaders like William Henry Harrison. As seven presidents in United States history have hailed from Ohio, you will find many historical sites related to past presidencies. And, of course, you’ll hear tales of past presidents like Theodore Roosevelt paying visits to the state to mingle with residents.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are many archaeological sites in Ohio, but few quite compare to the Paleo Crossing Site in Medina County. In addition to being one of the oldest in Ohio, this site is one of the oldest to demonstrate human activity in the New World. This landscape in Sharon Center, known as the Old Dague Farm Site to locals, features Clovis artifacts from circa 13,000 years ago. Yes, really! There is evidence that humans sheltered at this site for prolonged periods, and carbon dating indicates that the structure could be from circa 10,200 B.C.E. That would make this the oldest known structure in North America… and it’s hidden on what is now a private residential site here in Ohio.

What are the oldest businesses in Ohio?

On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted to the Union. The first European businesses to prosper in the area were French fur trading posts, but those are long gone. Now, the oldest businesses in Ohio are Turpin Farms, Atkins & Pearce, and Jacob Bromwell. All of these long-standing businesses got their start in Cincinnati, opening in 1785, 1817, and 1819, respectively. However, many towns have businesses that are just slightly younger than these! Don’t be afraid to explore local historical societies to learn more.

What are the best historic attractions in Ohio?

Love learning about The Buckeye State? You’ll enjoy a visit to our incredible historical sites. Pretty places like Milan quietly house the birthplace of Thomas A. Edison, and unsuspecting cemeteries house the remains of leaders like William Henry Harrison. As seven presidents in United States history have hailed from Ohio, you will find many historical sites related to past presidencies. And, of course, you’ll hear tales of past presidents like Theodore Roosevelt paying visits to the state to mingle with residents.