Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve
Warren County, OhioArchaeological Wonder in a Hilltop Forest North America’s largest ancient hilltop enclosure was built 2,000 years ago during the Hopewell era. Earth and stone walls surround 125 acres of a plateau 270 feet above the Little Miami River A mature forest covers the slopes below the walls, with chinquapin and red oaks dominant on sunnier, drier, south-facing slopes and sugar maple and basswood trees dominant on shadier, moister, north-facing hillsides. The property contains a museum, recreated Native American garden, and three miles of trails with scenic overlooks. Protected by the Ohio History ConnectionFort Ancient became Ohio’s first state park in 1891 when the state purchased the location. The site is designated a National Historic Landmark. For information on volunteering and contributing, see www.ohiohistory.org/volunteer/site-volunteers. | How to Find Fort AncientExit I-71 at Wilmington Road (exit 36) and take Middleboro Road south to State Route 350. Turn right on Route 350 and left into the park. Alternatively, travel State Route 350 directly from I-71 (exit 32), although this route is steep with severe switchbacks. |
