Half An Hour From Green Bay Is A Historic State Park In Wisconsin With Easy Trails And A Museum

Wisconsin has a rich archaeological history spanning more than 14,000 years — from ancient mammoth bones to mound-building cultures, America's Dairyland can truly surprise you. You don't have to drive for hours to experience these destinations, either, with one site not too far from Green Bay known for its prehistoric cemetery. Located on the outskirts of Oconto is Copper Culture State Park. Despite its humble size of just 42 acres, this historic state park offers insight into the ancient Old Copper Complex people who once lived in the region. As one visitor described, the state park is "fascinating for anyone interested in Indigenous history."

Established in 1959, Copper Culture State Park is home to Northeast America's oldest documented cemetery to date. Seven years prior to its designation as public land, a 13-year-old stumbled upon evidence of the site, after which it became the subject of an archaeological dig. This led to the discovery of the cemetery, with experts dating burials at the site to roughly 4000 to 3000 B.C.E. Not only that, but the cemetery revealed evidence of five types of mortuary practices.

Open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Copper Culture State Park allows you to explore its grounds along its easy trails. Winding through prairies, woodlands, and near the Oconto River, all the paths offer short strolls, the majority of which take you to the burial site. To learn more about the area's history, head to the on-site Copper Culture Museum and view some of the ancient artifacts found during the excavations. From copper tools to spear points and ornaments, you'll see works made by the earliest metal artisans in the Americas. The state park's admission is free, and you can get there by driving about half an hour north of Green Bay.

Accommodating hikers of all skill levels, the trails at Copper Culture State Park are relatively easy. With four paths snaking through the 42-acre grounds, you can potentially complete them all in the same day. The shortest is the Story Book Trail, which takes you on a quick 0.3-mile loop around an open prairie. The flat trail guides you past the Copper Culture Museum and toward the lush forest.

For a slightly longer walk, follow the Woodland Path. Covering 0.7 miles, this is an out-and-back hike that leads you through the pine forest with sections along the riverfront. You'll pass the cemetery site, which is marked by a historical plaque. Although this trail is short and easy, you might get the chance to spot honeybees and river and ebony jewelwings in the woods — previous hikers have also encountered snakes, so watch where you step. The out-and-back Bluebird Trail is also 0.7 miles long, taking you through an open grassy field. One visitor said this trail boasts "plenty of bluebird houses set up to view wildlife seasonally," so bring your binoculars to spot some of the local birds.

Meanwhile, the Copper Culture River Trail circles around the state park for 0.8 miles. As you meander through the woods, you'll have direct access to the Oconto River. The forest is dense, with lots of shade and colorful wildflowers lining the path. Your four-legged friend can join you on all of the park trails as long as they're on leash. Even though the trails are short, you should still brush up on the things that park rangers wish people knew before visiting a state park, which include preparing ahead of time and leaving no trace.

Copper Culture State Park holds great historic value, as it showcases the culture of the Old Copper Complex people, recognized as some of the world's earliest known metalsmiths. The park preserves the oldest known Native American burial site in Wisconsin, which also happens to be one of the oldest in eastern North America. Excavations revealed that people were sometimes buried alongside everyday items, such as spear points, knives, fishhooks, bracelets, and other tools made of copper. Most reviews about Wisconsin's hands-down best state parks list destinations with plenty of opportunities for nature immersion, but not all provide this depth of history.

These ancient relics are preserved at the state park's museum, located inside a red brick building dating back to 1924. The Copper Culture Museum features items that were recovered from the burial site, including ancient utilitarian tools and ornaments crafted by the Old Copper Complex people. Although the majority of recovered artifacts are copper, non-copper objects were also identified and put on display, such as a swan bone whistle and a marine shell. In fact, some of the discoveries suggest that the Old Copper Complex people may have participated in an extensive trade network that stretched all the way to the Atlantic. The museum collection includes more recent Native American artifacts, too.

Touring the Copper Culture Museum can be a family-friendly activity. Outside, there's a mock excavation pit where the little ones can sift through sand and step into the shoes of an archaeologist. Later, you can head to the state park's picnic shelter to treat yourself to an outdoor meal. After your deep dive into Indigenous history, head back down to Green Bay, a vibrant bayside city famous for entertainment and affordable living.