This web site supports the Falls of the Ohio Foundation and the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Located on the banks of the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana at I-65, exit 0, is the Falls of the Ohio State Park. The 390-million-year-old fossil beds are among the largest, naturally exposed, Devonian fossil beds in the world. The park features a spectacular Interpretive Center overlooking the fossil beds containing an exhibit gallery and video presentation. The Interpretive Center is open year round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas day. The "Falls" was originally a series of rapids allowing the Ohio River to drop 26 feet over a distance of two and a half miles. This was the only navigational hazard over the 981 mile-length river formed by rock outcrops. Today much of the original falls have been flooded behind the McAlpine dam.
Fishing, hiking and casual walking, fossil viewing, bird watching, and picnicking are among the most common activities. While fossil collecting is not allowed to protect our resources for future generations, the park staff encourages visitors to explore and discover the many different types of fossils that can be found on the ancient sea floor. The Discovery Center button (above left) provides details about the park's natural and cultural resources - archaeology, birding, flora, fossils, George Rogers Clark and Lewis and Clark are featured. August through mid November typically provides the best accessibility to the 220 acres of fossil beds, as the river is at its lowest level during this period. We are seasonally on Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Savings Time (through November 6). Information about the park, directions, admissions fees, and fishing are posted under Visitor Information (at the top left) or questions can be answered by contacting the park. The Educator Information button offers details about our school programs (with downloadable activity sheets), 60 page Educator Handbook, educator professional development opportunities, relevant educational standards, planning a field trip (anywhere!), our loaner trunks, and much more. Latest Additions - Visit Tips under Visitor Information;Tools for Geological Collecting under Discovery Center, Fossils; Kid's can create a Discovery Pack for their visit under Kid's Page. New images have been added to the Virtual Tour. Upcoming Events: Sept. 11 - Rock the Rocks and Sept. 18 & 19 - Falls Fossil Festival. Details on our Events at the Park page! Updated September 7, 2010
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