How to See the Newest UNESCO World Heritage Center Site in the United States

According to the World Heritage Committee, these ceremonial sites are “the most representative surviving expressions of the Indigenous [Hopewell] tradition.” Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, from what they are to where to stay.

What are earthworks?

Earthwork is a broad term that can refer to many things created by moving large quantities of soil or unformed rock, from construction projects to works of art. In archeology, the term generally refers to ancient structures such as burial mounds or fortifications that were made by moving earth and stone. Ceremonial earthworks, such as the newly inscribed World Heritage site, were constructed for religious, spiritual, or ritualistic purposes. In addition to evidencing feats of ancient engineering, such ceremonial earthworks provide insight into the beliefs, practices, and societal structures of the cultures that built them.

The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are a collection of eight Indigenous monuments built by the Hopewell culture between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago. These large-scale monuments include burial mounds, geometric enclosures, hilltop-enclosed plazas, and other complex structures made from natural materials, demonstrating an advanced understanding of geometry, astronomy, and construction by the Hopewell culture. The exact purpose of these earthworks is unknown, but they’re generally believed to have been used for ceremonies and social gatherings. Artifacts found among the earthworks also provide insight into the scope of the Hopewell culture’s influence and interaction, suggesting that its members associated with people all over the country, from present-day Wyoming to Florida.

What is Hopewell culture?

Hopewell culture refers to a widely dispersed set of related Indigenous populations that existed in the east-central United States from about 200 BCE to 500 CE. The culture had significant reach owing to a network of trade routes known as the Hopewell exchange system, but it largely flourished in what’s now considered southern Ohio along tributaries of the Ohio River. Earthworks such as those newly inscribed on the World Heritage List were central to Hopewell culture, indicating that members were likely involved in a variety of ritualistic practices, including mortuary rituals, as evidenced by the presence of burial sites.

Getting to the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

The easiest way to see the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks is to visit Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. There, you’ll find five of the earthworks: Mound City, Hopewell Mound Group, Hopeton Earthworks, Seip Earthworks, and High Bank Works monuments. The closest major airport to the park is located in Columbus, roughly 45 miles north of Chillicothe.

The three remaining earthworks are split between two locations. The Great Circle Earthworks and Octagon Earthworks are located in Newark, Ohio, which is approximately 40 miles east of Columbus. To visit the Fort Ancient earthwork in Oregonia, Ohio, out-of-towners can fly into Dayton or Cincinnati, which are approximately 30 miles north and 40 miles south, respectively.

Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks from their closest major cities. Regardless of your departure city and which site you choose to visit, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks should be reachable in an hour or less by car.

Where to stay near the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

Because all eight sites included in the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are relatively close to major cities, visitors have plenty of hotel and Airbnb options in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. If you’d like to stay even closer to the newly inscribed World Heritage site, consider these Airbnbs in Chillicothe, Newark, and Oregonia.

We hope you love these Airbnbs near the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Modern Townhome in Downtown Chillicothe

This three-bedroom townhome is conveniently located in downtown Chillicothe, less than 10 minutes from Hopewell Culture National Historical Park by car. The modern, carefully curated space matches the aesthetic of the renovated historic building where it occupies the two top floors. Tall ceilings and plenty of natural light give the townhome a grand, bright, and airy feel, with plenty of space to both work and relax inside.

Three bedrooms, six guests
Price per night: $291

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River House on the Little Miami in Oregonia

Located in Oregonia not far from the Fort Ancient earthwork, this quaint two-bedroom home with a spacious open design is perched on a bike trail by the Little Miami River. Guests have the option to stay in the upstairs unit of a two-story home in a fully equipped suite, with access to a private patio, or book the entire home. Breakfast is available upon request for a fee. In addition to the Fort Ancient earthwork site, guests can enjoy local experiences such as farm visits, hikes, zip-line adventures, canoeing and kayaking, and antique shopping in town.

Two bedrooms, seven guests
Price per night: $159

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Industrial Chic Apartment in Downtown Newark

Once a high school boiler room, this spacious apartment is located in downtown Newark, providing guests easy access to the Great Circle Earthworks and Octagon Earthworks. When you’re not sightseeing, everything you need is within walking distance from the apartment, including coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and both outdoor and indoor recreation venues. If nothing else, all the exposed brick will make you feel like you’re staying in an ultra-hip New York City Airbnb — albeit one that’s a little bit farther away than the other Newark.

Two bedrooms, five guests
Price per night: $117

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