Great Council State Park

Call Directions Website

Great Council State Park Great Council State Park honors Shawnee history and resilience on the historic site of Old Chillicothe.

Explore exhibits, hands-on programs, and activities to connect with Shawnee traditions, seasonal lifeways, and Ohio’s rich Native heritage. Great Council State Park serves as a space for discovery, learning, and connection. Our mission is to preserve the legacy of the Shawnee people while fostering understanding of their enduring cultural, historical, and environmental impact. Through dynamic programs, exhibits, and community engagement, we highlight the stories of Old Chillicothe and the rich traditions that continue to shape Shawnee life today. Whether you're exploring hands-on activities or delving into history, Great Council State Park offers an opportunity to connect with Ohio's Native heritage in meaningful ways.

Amongst our guests last week from the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference were 7 people representing all three Federally Reco...
10/08/2026

Amongst our guests last week from the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference were 7 people representing all three Federally Recognized Shawnee Tribes! We are always happy to have people who were and still are an integral part of Great Council State Park visit our site.

Last week, we hosted a site visit for 40 people from the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, including representatives from ...
10/08/2026

Last week, we hosted a site visit for 40 people from the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, including representatives from a number of Tribal Nations, the Ohio History Connection, and ODOT. We are always excited to share the story here and are very grateful that we could be included in their very busy schedule.

What are all those students doing? Well, last week 75 4th graders from Miami Trace Elementary visited Great Council Stat...
10/07/2026

What are all those students doing? Well, last week 75 4th graders from Miami Trace Elementary visited Great Council State Park to learn about history, biology, and more! Here, they are examining our three sisters garden in its last few weeks. Interested in booking a field trip like this? It’s completely free, and we still have openings in the winter and spring. For more details and to book, please email [email protected].

During the site visit last week by the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, we were happy to host Logan York, the Tribal Hist...
10/07/2026

During the site visit last week by the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, we were happy to host Logan York, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. His visit was also an excellent reminder that he will be returning November 21st at 1pm to give a talk about Miami history, people, and landscapes. We hope you’ll plan to join us then!

Our prairie is looking fantastic this time of year! We still have blooms popping, which means pollinators are hard at wo...
09/19/2026

Our prairie is looking fantastic this time of year! We still have blooms popping, which means pollinators are hard at work — including the hummingbird we managed to catch on camera. The blur is understandable… hummingbirds can zip around at up to 30 mph!

Curious what other birds might be visiting Great Council? Take a stroll through our prairie on your next visit and see what you can spot!

Right now, monarch butterflies are flying through Ohio on a journey that will take some of them over 2,000 miles to a si...
09/17/2026

Right now, monarch butterflies are flying through Ohio on a journey that will take some of them over 2,000 miles to a single forest in central Mexico, a place most of them have never been, guided by nothing but instinct and the sun.



Saturday, September 26th, 10am–12pm, we're tagging monarchs at Great Council State Park, and you can be part of it. Hold a monarch in your hand, place a tiny numbered tag on its wing, and send it on its way, knowing that if it's ever spotted again, your tag could help scientists track its migration.



No experience needed. Just curiosity and a love for these incredible little travelers.



📍 Great Council State Park

🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🦋 Free and family-friendly



Come be part of the migration story.

Today we're highlighting Will, one of our tour guides at Great Council State Park! Will's positive attitude is loved by ...
09/17/2026

Today we're highlighting Will, one of our tour guides at Great Council State Park! Will's positive attitude is loved by staff and guests alike, and his tours have motivated many a school student to continue their exploration of history. Pictured here, Will is taking a few guests out to talk about the Three Sisters and plant ecology in the prairie and has captured his audience with his enthusiasm. We are very lucky to have him!

Before we mow down our native prairie to stimulate new growth and conduct GPR and magnetometry research on the land, we ...
09/16/2026

Before we mow down our native prairie to stimulate new growth and conduct GPR and magnetometry research on the land, we need your help collecting seeds first!



Saturday, October 3rd, 10am–12pm, join us for a native prairie seed collection event. Every seed you gather will be saved, spread, and given a chance to take root, helping us restore and strengthen this prairie for next year and for generations to come.



This is hands-on conservation at its most direct: no experience needed, just a willingness to get outside and get your hands in the grass. We'll show you which plants to look for, how to collect seeds responsibly, and why this small act makes a big difference for native habitat.



📍 Great Council State Park

🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🌱 Free and family-friendly



Come be part of the prairie's next chapter!

Our three sisters garden is still coming along! Starting from bare ground in May, we planted our corn first in early Jun...
09/16/2026

Our three sisters garden is still coming along! Starting from bare ground in May, we planted our corn first in early June, followed shortly by pole beans and acorn squash. Thanks to the combined work of our volunteers and staff, some of the fruits are starting to mature. Pictured here are Nyiri and Carl of our maintenance staff, and our park manager Ivy getting the posts in the ground for a fence to keep unwanted snackers away from the yields of our labor.

Right now, monarch butterflies are flying through Ohio on a journey that will take some of them over 2,000 miles to a si...
09/11/2026

Right now, monarch butterflies are flying through Ohio on a journey that will take some of them over 2,000 miles to a single forest in central Mexico, a place most of them have never been, guided by nothing but instinct and the sun.
Saturday, September 26th, 10am–12pm, we're tagging monarchs at Great Council State Park, and you can be part of it. Hold a monarch in your hand, place a tiny numbered tag on its wing, and send it on its way, knowing that if it's ever spotted again, your tag could help scientists track its migration.
No experience needed. Just curiosity and a love for these incredible little travelers.
📍 Great Council State Park
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🦋 Free and family-friendly
Come be part of the migration story.

Address

1587 US Route 68 North
Xenia, OH
45385

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+19375020057

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Great Council State Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category