Ohio has no shortage of state parks, but the newest addition to the map feels different.
Great Council State Park, which opened in 2024 just outside Xenia, wasn’t built simply to showcase trails and trees. It was created to honor the Shawnee people and their deep, complicated history in this state.
The site sits on land that was once Old Chillicothe, a major Shawnee settlement in the late 1700s. At the time, more than a thousand Shawnee lived here, and it was a center of diplomacy, community life, and resistance to colonial expansion.
If you’ve ever heard of Tecumseh or his brother Tenskwatawa, leaders who tried to unite Indigenous nations against U.S. forces, this land was part of their story.
A Park With Purpose
From the start, this park has been a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and all three federally recognized Shawnee tribes: the Shawnee Tribe, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. That partnership shaped how the park looks, how it tells stories, and even how it feels to visit.
The centerpiece is a 12,000-square-foot interpretive center designed to look like a Shawnee council house. Inside, there are three levels of exhibits, including an indoor stream with live fish, interactive displays about Shawnee daily life, and a gallery for rotating cultural installations. One of the first things you’ll see is a statue of Tecumseh at the entrance, positioned as if he’s greeting visitors.
Walking the Land
Outside, the park covers 14 acres of reclaimed farmland that’s being restored to prairie. A half-mile trail cuts through the grasslands and ends at an overlook of the Little Miami River. It’s not the longest hike you’ll find in Ohio, but the mix of native plants and peaceful views makes it worth the stroll.
This mix of history and nature is what sets Great Council apart. You can spend the morning exploring Shawnee history through the exhibits, then step outside and walk the same land where that history actually unfolded.
Why It Matters
Ohio often tells its story through pioneers, canals, and steel mills, but the Shawnee were here long before any of that. By building Great Council State Park, the state and the Shawnee nations are carving out space for those stories to be heard on their own terms. It’s not about nostalgia or folklore. It’s about living culture, resilience, and acknowledgment.
Planning a Visit
The park is free to enter and open Wednesday through Sunday. Right now, the interpretive center is the main draw, along with the prairie trail, but programming is growing. Expect workshops, cultural events, and seasonal exhibits that will change what you’ll see on each visit.
If you’re looking for something new to explore that feels both rooted in history and relevant right now, this is it. Great Council State Park isn’t just another picnic spot. It’s a reminder of whose stories we carry in Ohio, and an invitation to spend time with them.
To plan your visit, or for more info about the park, head over to ohiodnr.gov.
