Hopeton Earthworks — Attraction in Ohio

The Hopeton Earthworks was my first stop. You'll see the sign off the main road. You drive down past some apartment complexes and then the parking areas to your left. Once you park the vehicle, you'll see the map at the trailhead. I would definitely recommend having the NPS app.

You start off going through a short wooded area, and then you come out into an open field. Since this is an open field, make sure you take a hat with you and probably some water just in case it's a very hot day. I really don't see much in the way of mounds but there are paths you can walk to go around the sites.

This is where you can track your progress and you can press on the different numbered sites. You'll bring up the information for it because otherwise there are no plaques or markers for you to find anything. So without the map, you're just walking around in the field

If you come out during late spring or early summer, you'll be able to hear the birds and see plenty of wildlife due to the wildflowers that are all over the field. About halfway down, there is a cut through to go back to your starting point. This is kind of nice as you pretty much just walking through the open fields at this point,...

A work in progress. These mounds were almost entirely obliterated by farming activities, a common occurrence. Archeological investigations have determined the shape and location of this set of circular and square earth structures, which were once 20 feet tall, and site workers mow the prairie to show the visitor the outlines of these huge patterns. From the parking lot, follow the signs to get you going in the right direction. The signs soon go away, but hike up the small hill towards the RR tracks, cross the farm access road and hike another 1000 or so feet to a circular arrangement of large stones (put there by the park staff). From this location you can look out and see the entire site. You are allowed to then walk down and traverse the mown paths. Everything is the honor system as there is no staff present. The day I was there, I was the...

Cool place, but trails are unmarked and not kept up too well. I am glad that they turned it into a park for all to explore and learn about. If you go, take the map that they offer, go on to the trail and get onto the driveway as soon as you can, then go towards the gate that you will see in the distance. There is a train track right there. Go down the driveway until you see a path to your left. You will almost be right by the gate at the train tracks, go to the big and open mowed area and look at the map. You can see it all. The parking lot is nice, they have a picnic area there too. Plan on a good long walk, but if you like this kind Historical place, you will have...