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    Recommended Reviews - Serpent Mound

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    Richard R.

    THE GREAT SERPENT MOUND is said to be the world's largest effigy mound. The prehistoric mound boasts a length of 1,376 feet, a height of 4 to 5 feet and a varying width of about 19 feet give or take. What appears to be an oval head is actually said to be an egg being swallowed by the great serpent. There are seven coils to the body of the serpent throughout the mound but local information signs indicate there was once an 8th coil just before the head. The mound is said to have been built around 100 BCE, which makes it around 2100 years old... but there is strong argument it is far younger at around 850 years old. However, most seem to agree that the shape and positioning of the mound was somehow influenced by astronomical events. There is a large parking area for visitors, two large restroom houses, a picnic pavilion, museum/visitor center and overlook. IF you are making plans to visit months in advance, keep in mind there is a walking tour the second Friday of every month guided by archaeologist Bill Kennedy. Tour is 1.5 hours long and begins @ 1:30pm. There is also an observation tower which basically gives you the best view of the mound in its entirety. However, the tower was closed during our July 2023 visit and is not scheduled to reopen until repairs are completed. Work doesn't begin until 2024, so its reopening had not been determined as of my review. We didn't view the movie highlighting the history of the mound @ the visitor center nor did we take any tours. We only read the informational signs along the self-guided trail. The most interesting thing I discovered was the meteorite impact crater near the site. Although eroded by time, the original rim diameter has been estimated at around 5 miles wide and the impact is estimated to have occurred about 256 million years ago... long before the mound was created. Other studies show the original diameter is closer to 9 miles wide. Here is a video explaining the impact structure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-VZMxVWMGc&t=3s FINAL THOUGHTS Honestly, the mound is not a very exciting place to visit (although I think school-age children will love it). The information is cool and the history is interesting, but the full mound is not as easy to see as I'd hoped. Best to come here when the observation tower repairs have been completed. Drones are off limits, so currently the trail view is all you get. 2023 / 11

    Cindi R.

    Great place to view but DO NOT GO IN THE WINTER. Unfortunately we felt like we didn't get the whole experience. We were told the museum and gift store were closed but then we found all the nature trails were closed along with the tower which was under repair. We were able to go along the path around the serpent which was very interesting. Be sure to go in the Spring ,Summer, or Fall.

    Lauren K.

    Serpent Mound is really interesting. I only regret stopping by briefly in winter. I'll need to come by in the spring during regular weather! I'd also come again with a friend to give myself more peace of mind as a female traveler (not to say I felt unsafe, it's just safer in general to explore with a buddy). The great Serpent Mound is a 2,000 foot long and 3 foot high prehistoric effigy mound. It was built on what is known as the Serpent Mound crater plateau, running along the Ohio Brush Creek in Adams County. The mound is the largest serpent effigy in the world. The locals say the head and tail of Serpent Mound align with the sunrise and sunset. It's been featured on a number of esoteric TV shows for its healing properties and indigenous roots. You should look it up...its profoundly interesting. The grounds are meticulously kept and the atmosphere is physically lovely. They also have a small gift shop. Had it snowed, I imagine I'd appreciate it less. I'm definitely looking forward to stopping here again next time I'm in the area! I'm not well-versed on the lore yet but will be upon my next visit...I'm very interested.

    Ophelia B.

    The Spectacular Serpent Mound, the largest serpent effigy in the world. My Adventure In The Serpent Mound. Absolutely breathtaking & magical... I had a very solitary & private self tour of an ancient relic dating back to 381 BC.

    The Serpent Mound.
    Veronica T.

    I thought the walk around the mound would take longer. Too bad the tower hasn't been replaced. It would have been interesting seeing it from above. No drones are allowed.

    The observation tower is closed so you can't really see too much. They do not have an ETA on when it will be fixed but I would not go until it is. Also $8 to park the car. The bathroom were clean and in working order.

    Robert G.

    My wife and I stopped here for a visit and really enjoyed it. It was a peaceful walk around and everyone was very friendly to us even though we were there close to closing time. It's amazing how well preserved the mound is and it's important that we honor the culture of not just the Native Americans that resided there, but Native Americans as a whole. The only reason for 4 stars is because the tower was closed, so we couldn't get the amazing overhead view.

    Showed up at noon and peeps are already here!

    Awesome experience but wish the tower was open, so you could take an overlook of the whole thing.

    Hiking trails too!
    Heather L.

    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.

    Tressa C.

    Visited the Serpent Mound with my parents and two boys. It was very well kept and beautiful to see. It doesn't take very long to visit the mound and to walk the trail around. The gift shop was closed during our visit but we didn't mind. The volunteers that were there were very friendly.

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    Photo of Ju L.
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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Carter Caves State Resort Park - Cave formations!

    Carter Caves State Resort Park

    4.2(36 reviews)
    48.3 mi

    This state park has so much to offer! The trails are well maintained and easily accessible, the…read morelodge is beautiful with a delicious restaurant inside, and there are even cave tours! Some caves only run seasonally, but I took two tours on a Sunday, and it felt like a good amount at a time. Tickets for tours are purchased at the Welcome Center, day of. There's a self explore cave, too, but you need two adults minimum in your party and each with a flashlight. The arches and natural bridges in this park were amazing sites, scattered along the park. I took on the challenge of hitting each arch / bridge, and it was doable in under 5 miles if you move between accesses.

    I started visiting Carter Caves State Park when I was young. Fast forward to 2024. I planned a…read morevisit with my nieces and their kids when I was in town. None of my great nieces and nephews had been inside a cave. We arrived at roughly 11:15 AM. I purchased tickets at the Welcome Center for everyone to tour Saltpetre (AKA Saltpeter) Cave at 11:30 AM. It was $54 for three adults and four children. We followed our tour guide across the street, up a hill, then down the stairs and into the earth we went. This cave was used in the War of 1812 to make gunpowder. We got a history lesson from our tour guide who was so patient with the kids. This cave was the driest of all the caves at the park, so no stalactites hanging from the ceiling. But bonus was, no water on our shoes. If you want to see bats, this is not the cave. The cave used to have thousands of bats. The park conservationists are working to increase bat living in this cave. After the tour, we had to turn up our feet, one at a time, so the tour guide could spray the bottom of our shoes with soap and water. He told us this was done to prevent carrying germs/bacteria out of the cave that could harm the bat population at the park. The tour lasted roughly 45 minutes. It was worth the time and money! The kids had a blast. Only one was scared when the lights were turned off momentarily so we could experience total darkness and silence. My nephew Cooper lasted about 3 minutes, then, in his little whimpering voice, he asked if the lights could be turned back on. I can't say enough great things about our cave guide. We left the Welcome Center and headed to the public pool. The pool was free for those camping and staying in cabins. We went on a Monday, so everyone was $3. Pretty good deal! The pool was clean. Only light snacks available, icecream, chips and soda. I highly recommend you add Carter Caves to your summer fun list!

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    Carter Caves State Resort Park - Cave tours!

    Cave tours!

    Carter Caves State Resort Park
    Carter Caves State Resort Park

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    Serpent Mound - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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