Copper Culture Mounds State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Copper Culture Mounds State Park is located in Oconto, Wisconsin and offers visitors an opportunity to explore prehistoric culture of the Native Americans who lived in the region between 3,500 and 1,000 years ago.
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Summary
The park is home to one of the oldest burial sites in the Americas, where artifacts made from copper were discovered.
One of the main reasons to visit Copper Culture Mounds State Park is to learn about the rich history of the area and the people who lived here long ago. Visitors can explore the burial mounds and the museum, which contains exhibits and displays about the area's history.
There are several points of interest to see at Copper Culture Mounds State Park, including the burial mounds themselves, a replica of a Native American longhouse, and a reconstructed burial pit. Visitors can also hike through the park's trails and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that the copper artifacts found at the site were likely traded from as far away as the Great Lakes region and that the site was first excavated in the early 1900s. Additionally, the area was once home to a large population of white-tailed deer, which were an important food source for Native American communities.
The best time of year to visit Copper Culture Mounds State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, the park hosts several special events throughout the year, including guided tours of the burial mounds and traditional Native American ceremonies.
Overall, Copper Culture Mounds State Park is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in history, archaeology, or Native American culture. With its unique artifacts, beautiful natural surroundings, and educational exhibits, it is definitely worth a visit for anyone traveling to Wisconsin.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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