Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve

Fort Hill has what many call the best hiking trails in the state. Its fully mature forests harbor many rare or endangered wildflowers, hundreds of species of mushrooms and a high number of tree species. Birders will likely be able to check off several hard-to-find species.

You can hike to a stone and earthen-walled Hopewell hilltop enclosure at the top of Fort Hill. With a circumference of 1 ½ miles, it has 33 gateways and, on the inside, a large ditch. (You'll find a similar fort-style enclosure 50 miles away at Fort Ancient.) Fort Hill’s hilltop earthworks are accessible only by hiking to the top. Two trails terminate at the enclosure.

For archaeology enthusiasts, the well-preserved hilltop enclosure at Fort Hill is spectacular. But Fort Hill also has a second Hopewell earthwork: Circle Earthwork, in a field on the south side of the park, can be hard to see. A mown trail accessible from the Buckeye Trail leads to the Circle Earthwork. Average visit time: Allow 2+ hours