Serpent Mound

This was a great day trip from Columbus. The drive was a scenic, two hour drive to southwest Ohio. As you get closer to the area, amenities become less available. So, do be sure you have a full tank of gas and maybe take a picnic lunch along to enjoy the park. They have picnic tables and shelter areas around the park. There is an $ 8 parking fee for those who are not members of the Ohio Historical Society. Otherwise, your visit is covered with your membership. The premises has a small museum and gift shop. The museum has great information about the formation of the serpent mound and early Ohio life. Do spend time watching their video as it will help enrich your understanding of the Serpent Mound and surrounding Indian burial mounds. The park rangers were quite friendly and very open to answering questions or providing directions. Do check their web site for hours of availability as it changes seasonally. The park offers a hiking trail as well as walkway and overlook for the serpent mound. The park is fairly serene and can be a great family outing.

This is basically the coolest place I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve been here twice.
You have to really be brave to climb the lookout. I did, but coming down was hard. Looking out over the edge at the view is hard. If you’re afraid of heights, just stay on the ground. I mean, you might see the little lookout tower and say to yourself, «That’s not too high.» Well, really, it’s not too high. I think just being so exposed with no real walls on a rickety staircase make up for the little bit of height. Like it was worse than the Hancock Building. Basically, if you want a thrill, climb those steps. If the snake hill is exciting enough, stay on the ground. I would stay on the ground.
And if the snake hill isn’t exciting to you, then I totally judge you and think you’re probably an actual idiot. In a bad way. Like this was is my art history book. If you can’t appreciate this snake, something is really wrong with you.

Interesting, mysterious landmark.
$ 8 to park vehicle, payment is taken in the museum and gift shop.
Gift shop has reasonably priced items. Take time to check out the small museum.
The staff is very nice and passionate about what they do. Grounds are well kept and clean.
Climb the short fire tower to get a nice view of nearly the entire serpent formation.
Several overlooks are available to see down into the ravine below.
I highly recommend taking the time to do the hiking trail (proper shoes required). Its a nice walk down to the riverside and back up.

This place is amazing. You can do the easy .5 mile walk around the serpent or take the hiking trail. It is a special place. I will be back before I leave Ohio.

State parks don’t get more interesting than Serpent mound. Now, I gave this a 5-​star rating, but don’t expect rides and a human-​sized snake to take pictures with. This is a real piece of Ohio history.
The little hut/​gift shop contains a lot of info. Entry is «per car» — and we paid $ 8 (May 2015). Not bad. There’s plenty of areas to bring a picnic lunch to eat — picnic tables, etc.
The serpent itself is quite interesting, and worth the steep climb up the viewing tower. Made my wife a little nervous — we called it «extreme state-​park-​ing».

First impression (****): After we pulled into the long drive and entered into the paved parking lot, the grounds looked extremely clean. There was plenty of parking. There were separate stone buildings that house men’s and women’s restrooms. At the far end of the parking lot was a black wooden building that is the serpent mound museum. There were places to picnic, benches to sit, and Pavilion to party.
Actual impression (****): In terms of the building, it was 80% gift shop, 20% museum. In terms of the serpent mound itself, it was a mound. I’ve seen things on TV about it, and it looked bigger on TV. The observation deck was a nice feature. Overall, I appreciated the historical value. There is also a nature trail off to the right of the mound trail. We decided not to go because we did not prepare for it. There are two observation points that offer nice views of the country landscape.
Lasting impression (****): It was nice that the mound was preserved with respect. And I’m happy that something so unassuming can still stymie the most intelligent scientists. In closing, it serves as a reminder that human history is not as simple as we are led to believe.

Pros: Overlook provides a good aerial view. The signage along the trail is interesting.
Cons: Museum closes even with a slight chance of incremental weather. Not worth the drive.

This is a place my husband has wanted to visit since learning about it in elementary school. It is the largest serpent effigy mound in the world. What is an effigy? According to Wikipedia it is a «raised pile of earth built in the shape of a stylized animal, symbol, religious figure, human, or other figure.» But I digress. It has a fascinating history, and it is amazing that various ends/​curves of the serpent coincide with solstice and equinox events. It is believed that the Adena culture built the mound (1000 BC– AD 1).
I wish it were not as hot, and the grass was greener (but it’s probably because I went in the summer). The museum is small, but is worth looking at to understand more about the mound, and the gift shop has nice little trinkets. It’s worth it to take a look at this because of the historical significance.
Parking fee: $ 7 for personal vehicle

I visited the Great Serpent Mound on a windy Saturday October 15^th. It just so happened that on this day there was a fund raiser for the Ghost Horse. I suggest a Google search… but I digress…
The Great Serpent Mound is pretty awesome. It seems that most people I know have forgotten this little tid bit from Ohio History… but let me remind you… this was built by Indians. Built by Indians way before the European invasion. Built by the Indians who have been here quite sometime before modern day man.
It is quite possibly one of the OLDEST most ANCIENT structures in the United States that was built by Humans (or something else???)
This is a man made beauty that embraces nature, a true green spirit. This place is pretty phenomenal and words simply cannot describe. The surrounding crater is worth a good explore as well.

If you are on route 32, don’t forget to visit this place. You have to see the serpent mound in person. Helpful staff and nice gift shop.

This is one of the most fascinating places I have visited. A world-​class archaeological treasure in southern Ohio.
Nestled just inside an ancient meteorite crater, the Serpent Mound is an ancient earthwork monument attributed to the Adena culture (800 BC-​AD 100). It is absolutely breathtaking. There is a small museum/​gift shop nearby with extremely helpful staff.