🐍 Serpent Mound Solstice Trip

✨ The Plan

🚗

Saturday Afternoon

Drive down, set up camp

⛺

Camp Under Stars

Minimal light pollution

🥾

Sunday Hiking

Trails + gorges + earthworks

🌅

Solstice Sunset

Through the serpent's jaws

☀️ Sunset: 9:02 PM

The longest day of the year — the summer solstice sunset aligns directly through the serpent's open jaws and across the oval. An alignment built by ancient peoples thousands of years ago.

🏕️ Camping Options

Community-validated picks from Reddit r/camping, r/Ohio, r/OhioHiking, and travel forums.

State parks: book at ReserveOhio.com or call (866) 644-6727

⭐ Reddit's #1 Pick

🌲 Pike Lake State Park

~20 min to mound 587 acres ~$25-37/night

THE consensus pick across multiple Reddit threads. Cozy, wooded Appalachian foothills with a 13-acre lake. Best hiking trails in the area — forested ridge loops. Swimming beach, showers, nature center. Rarely crowded.

"Pike Lake State Park and Pike Lake State Forest both have camping." — u/swampboy62 (r/camping)

🏖️ Rocky Fork State Park

~25-30 min to mound 2,000+ acres ~$30-37/night

Big lake park near Hillsboro. Beach, boating, decent hiking. Confirmed available by a Reddit OP who booked it for a Serpent Mound trip. Shady Trails Campground nearby as a private alternative.

"Rocky Fork State Park is not far away, and you can camp there." — u/cincinnati_kidd1 (r/Ohio)

🏕️ Fruitdale Farm (Private)

Near Serpent Mound $25/night Secluded

Small private campground — cheapest option, off-grid vibes.

"My wife and I stayed at Fruitdale Farm. $25 a night, very private and secluded." — u/darthbluntz (r/Ohio)

🌊 Long's Retreat Family Resort

~20 min to mound Resort-style Varies

Hidden gem with cabins, glamping, and water attractions. More resort-y than rugged. 50 Bell Hollow Rd, Latham OH. Call: 937.588.3725

"Longs Retreat has a ton of options. It's a gem of a place tucked where you wouldn't expect it." — u/Whiskey_Bear (r/camping)

⚠️ Book ASAP — It's Solstice Weekend!

State park campsites near Serpent Mound will fill up fast for the longest day of the year.

Reserve on ReserveOhio.com →

📋 Sunday Itinerary — June 21

7–8 AM

☕ Wake Up + Coffee at Camp

Take it slow, enjoy the morning air

9:00 AM (Optional)

🛶 Kayak Tour Below Serpent Mound

Guided by MoonDoggie LIVERee — meet at Soaring Eagle to load up and be transported to access point

Morning

🥾 Fort Hill Gorge Trail ⭐

THE hike of the trip. ~25-30 min from Serpent Mound, near Bainbridge. 3-4 mile gorge trail with ancient Native American hilltop earthworks. Managed by Arc of Appalachia. Moderately hard, stunning scenery, almost no crowds.

"Wonderful place. Three moderately hard trails that are well-maintained. I've never encountered more than two or three other hikers." — r/OhioHiking

Alt: Pike Lake trails (1-3 mi loops) for an easier morning warm-up.
arcofappalachia.org/fort-hill →

~Noon

🎪 Head to Festival at Soaring Eagle

Free parking in the field off Horner Chapel Rd. Free admission. Theme: "Appalachian Food & Culture"

Afternoon

🎨 Explore Workshops & Vendors

Crystal work, clay basics, open flame cooking, Appalachian dulcimer, Paint the Serpent Mound ($15), Metal Rose, Weaving with Nature ($22)

7:00 PM

🌋 Crater Rim Tour (Guided Hike)

Walk the rim of the ancient meteorite impact crater that Serpent Mound sits on

~8:30 PM

🐍 Position at Serpent Mound

Walk the Buckeye Trail from festival to the park. Find your spot near the serpent's head.

9:02 PM

🌅 Summer Solstice Sunset

The sun sets through the serpent's open jaws — an alignment thousands of years old. The longest day of the year ends at one of North America's most sacred sites.

🎪 Festival Details

🆓

Free Admission

No registration needed

📍

Soaring Eagle Retreat

351 Horner Chapel Rd, Peebles

🕐

Sat & Sun: 10am–7pm

Fri: 3pm–7pm

🚫

Family Friendly

No alcohol/drugs/firearms

Parking: Enter from Horner Chapel Rd and park in the field (free). If you park at Serpent Mound park itself, there's a $10 parking fee — you can access the festival via the Buckeye Trail.

More info: serpentmound.org/sscfestival · Workshops & Hikes · Main Tent Schedule

🎒 Don't Forget

✓ Tent + sleeping bags

✓ Camping chairs

✓ Cooler + food/drinks

✓ Water bottles

✓ Sunscreen + bug spray

✓ Hiking shoes

✓ Camera / phone charger

✓ Cash ($10 parking + workshops)

✓ Blanket for sunset

✓ Flashlight / headlamp

Serpent Mound Solstice Trip