Walk Along Hundreds Of Dinosaur Tracks On This Unique Hiking Trail In Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published May 31, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Once upon a time, dinosaurs roamed the Buckeye State. Once wholly underwater, Southwest Ohio is littered with rocks holding marine deposits from the Ordovician Period, when ancient ocean covered most of the United States more than 450 million years ago. Fascinating, right? You can discover all sorts of “prehistoric breadcrumbs” along the Ohio Valley Fossil Trail, a partnership of a dozen parks, museums, and other regional sites where fossils can be seen and touched — including today’s feature destination: Trammel Fossil Park.
Trammel Fossil Park is located in a heavily industrial area of Sharonville, a suburb just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. From the road, this “park” looks like any other hilly, undeveloped area off the interstate.
But looks are deceiving. Trammel Fossil Park is 10 acres of rocky, rugged terrain, exposed to the elements -- and totally rich with remnants from the past.
Just like the circles of a redwood tree, the carved-out hillsides of Ohio have layers and layers of prehistoric remnants. Keen eyes and patient paleontologists will be delighted at all there is to discover at this park.
Trammel Park is truly, wonderfully unique: It’s one of the only places to dig for fossils in Cincinnati (and Ohio) that’s safe and accessible. Since the plot of Trammel Fossil Park has never been disturbed, there’s an abundance of fossils available at the tip of your fingers (or shovel).
Speaking of which, be sure to bring your own supplies to the dig site. Kid-sized shovels and buckets are great for hauling away fossils -- which, at first glance, do look like regular, old rocks.
They're not. Fossils originating from the Ordovician Period dating over 440 million years ago are readily found at this fossil park. But, as the park is so undisturbed and, well, rocky, you'll definitely want to wear sturdy, closed toe shoes -- and pants are preferable, especially if you plan on sitting to dig. I always put my kids in hats and lots of sunscreen, too, as there isn't much shade at the park!
While this isn't your typical "park" with trails and amenities, there are lots of places to roam and wander along the hillside, and plaques with information about the region's fossils and prehistoric past.
Trammel Fossil Park is a delightfully unique day trip in Ohio that's rich in learning opportunities and fun. And for kids -- and grown ups! -- is there anything better than digging for real live buried treasure?
Did you know about this fossil trail in Ohio? The Ohio Valley Fossil Trail is a must for budding paleontologists old and young, and Trammel Fossil Park is a real-life treasure hunt in the Buckeye State!
Looking for another fossil trail in this part of Ohio? Head to Sharon Woods!
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