Explore Indiana's Fossil Record At This Underrated State Park
By Tori Jane|Published June 21, 2022
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
You know, living in a beautiful state with lots to see isn’t always easy. With 24 state parks in Indiana and usually not a lot of time, how do you know where to go for a delightful day trip you won’t forget? Plus, where can you go that isn’t ridiculously crowded? Well, what about Falls of the Ohio State Park, an underrated state park in Indiana where you can explore and search for real fossils? We think this little underappreciated hidden gem is one of the coolest places in the entire Hoosier State, and once you arrive, you’ll see why. Check it out:
Hidden away in beautiful Clarksville, Indiana, is Falls of the Ohio State Park, a vastly underrated and lesser-visited state park that even some lifelong Hoosiers don't even know exists.
Here lurks some truly wonder-inspiring fossil beds thought to be at least 390 million years old. This fossil bed is significant for its size, too, as it's the largest (exposed) Devonian fossil bed in the world - right here in little ol' Indiana.
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Though collecting and taking fossils home from the fossil beds is illegal (and unethical - just don't, please), the park regularly hosts adventures in which guests can hike, tour, and sometimes collect specimens of their own in designated spots.
This is to protect the fossil bed from over-harvesting; we want to make sure this remarkable Indiana landmark is preserved for decades to come, and we can do our part every time we visit by making sure to only collect from specific spots.
Fossils can be made of all kinds of different minerals and materials, and you'll learn about these in-depth while at Falls of the Ohio State Park.
If you're not interested in collecting or hunting for fossils, no worries - there are some really wonderful guided hiking tours through this Indiana state park as well, though sometimes they'll be canceled due to stronger-than-usual river currents or inclement weather.
Falls of the Ohio State Park is a haven for anyone interested in the unusual and unique geology of Indiana that occurs here and only here, and it's naturally breathtaking as well - the whole package.
Be sure to check out the Interpretive Center, and remember there are lots more things to do here than "just" looking for fossils.
Hiking, fishing, bird watching, and picnicking are among the most popular things to do at Falls of the Ohio State Park, and it's absolutely perfect for a family-friendly day trip - just be sure to pack the sunscreen.
For the most up-to-date hours, programs, events, and more be sure to visit the official DNR page for Falls of the Ohio State Park. Which state parks in Indiana are your favorites? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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