Fort Ancient State Memorial
Rate this placeNearby: Gully Park Whitacre Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Ancient State Memorial is a historic site in Ohio that showcases the culture and lifestyle of ancient Native Americans who lived in the region about 2,000 years ago.
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Summary
The site covers over 700 acres and contains a series of earthen mounds and walls that were used for religious, social, and defensive purposes.
Visitors to Fort Ancient State Memorial can explore the various hiking trails that wind through the site, offering views of the mounds, walls, and surrounding landscape. The site also contains a museum that features a collection of artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays that provide insights into the lives of the ancient inhabitants of the area.
Some of the key points of interest at Fort Ancient State Memorial include the Great Circle and the Octagon Earthworks, which are two of the largest and most impressive earthworks in North America. Visitors can also explore the Hopewell Mound Group, which contains a series of burial mounds that offer a glimpse into the region's prehistoric past.
One interesting fact about Fort Ancient State Memorial is that it was once considered a "lost city" by early European explorers who stumbled upon the site in the 18th century. The site remained largely unknown to the general public until the early 1900s when archaeologists began to study and excavate the area.
The best time of year to visit Fort Ancient State Memorial is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. Visitors should also be aware that the site can get busy during peak tourist season, so it's best to plan ahead and arrive early to avoid crowds.
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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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