Discovering Natural History at Falls of the Ohio State Park

Now that the frigid weather we’ve faced most of the winter is beginning to subside (knock on wood!), I’ve been daydreaming about some of my family’s favorite outdoor adventures around Indiana. This fall, we spent a gorgeous day hunting for fossils at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana. I’m looking forward to visiting again this spring.

Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River, with the Louisville skyline off in the distance, you’ll find acres of fossil beds that date back some 390 million years. While you can’t take these impressive formations home, you can truly spend hours examing what you find below your feet.

I’d recommend starting your visit by heading to the Interpretive Center. Watch the brief video presentation and wander through the exhibits to get a sense of the history of this area and what makes it such a unique bed of fossils. Then head down to the river level. (There is a ramp for those traveling with strollers or wheelchairs.)

You may want to pack a change of clothes for your kids, as some small puddles form throughout the beds and children might find them awfully tempting to splash in!

The park opens at 7 a.m. each day and is located just off Exit 0 on I-65. Admission to the Interpretive Center is $5 for adults and $2 for kids. Admission is free if you have an annual Indiana state park entrance permit (which I highly recommend). During the periods of heavy rain we often experience in the spring, check river levels before you head out. More information about planning a visit is available here.