|
Field
Trips > SW Region >
Serpent Mound
To schedule your class visit please call 937-587-2796. Tours are offered Monday through Friday.
This mound is located within an unusual geological area known as the Serpent Mound crypto-explosion structure. This area, nearly five miles in diameter, contains extremely faulted and folded bedrock. Such faulting, normally caused by a meteorite strike or volcanic explosion, is uncommon in the normally flat-layered rocks of Ohio.
Serpent Mound, an effigy mound that appears to represent an uncoiling serpent, is the largest and finest effigy in the United States. It spans nearly 1,300 feet in length. Radiocarbon dating indicates that it was probably constructed by the Fort Ancient culture about 1070 ACE. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Overlooking Brush Creek valley, Serpent Mound has posed many questions to its observers. It is generally believed the mound symbolized a religious or mythical principle for its builders. Nearby one can find conical mounds that were used for burials and contained implements characteristic of the Adena culture (800 BCE - 100 ACE).
The site has hiking trails and an observation tower to get an overlook of the serpent effigy. Visitors to this site may choose a self-guided or guided tour. Exhibits in the adjacent museum reveal area excavations and probable explanations about the mound and the geology of the surrounding area.
Facilities Information
Chaperones: One adult per 15 students. If you are canceling your visit, please refer to your confirmation from for procedure.
The museum and the path around the earthwork are handicapped accessible. The hiking trails and the
observation tower are not handicapped accessible and are not part of the guided tour.
Picnic tables are available on the grounds. Pit-style toilets service the site.
As students will be outdoors during part of their experience, we suggest that they dress appropriately
for the weather. Tours will only be cancelled during severe weather.
Museum Shop on site
The museum shop focuses on archaeology and prehistoric and historic American Indian cultures. Extra
time should be planned for shopping.
Hours of Operation
The park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Memorial Day - Labor Day.
The museum is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., April - October.
Admission
School Bus $35.00; Commercial Bus $70.00
Location
Serpent Mound is on State Route 73, six miles north of State Route 32 and 20 miles south of Bainbridge
in Adams County
Directional Map [Yahoo] - Will load in a new window
Bus Driver's Instructions
Buses will drop off students in the parking lot. Guides will meet the group in the parking lot.
If you will be delayed in arriving at your appointed time, call 937-587-2796 or 800-752-2757.
Bus drivers are admitted free to Serpent Mound.
FIELD TRIPS > SOUTHWEST REGION SITES:
| 
