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 Updated: 7/18/2011 
Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville, Indiana
Description

The 390-million-year-old fossil beds are among the largest naturally exposed, easily accessible Devonian fossil beds in the world. It is a coral-sponge patch reef. The park features a beautiful interpretive center overlooking the fossil beds containing an exhibit gallery and video presentation. The fossil beds are in the bed and bank of the Ohio River and are best exposed late summer to late autumn. Daily hikes on the fossil beds Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on Saturdays through October.

Mission

The mission of the Falls of the Ohio State Park is to provide opportunities for education and recreation while protecting the resources.

History

Park estabished in 1990, Interpretive Center opened in 1994. A representation of George Rogers Clark's cabin erected at the Clark Home site in 2002. The Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area was established in 1981. The NPS designated the fossil beds a National Nautral Landmark in 1966.

Artifact Collections

Collections focus on Silurian and Devonian fossils, Native American tools of Clark County.

Research Collections

Fossils of the Waldron shale, Louisville Limestone, Jeffersonville Limestone and North Vernon Formation.

Programs

We offer programs for students year round. Indoor programs mid November - April, outdoor programs May - early November. Programs are $2 per student which includes admission to the Interpretive Center. Educator workshops in paleontology, archaeology, natural science are offered in June and July. Most are free, although some do have fees to cover materials. We have several loaner trunks, including fossils, rocks, and archaeology. All can be used for no cost, but are limited to pick up/drop off. We do not ship them. Consult our website for more details.

Governance

State of Indiana
Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Library

Access: General Public, Scholars, Staff Only

Appointment required: True

Services
Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours
Street Address
Falls of the Ohio State Park
201 West Riverside Dr.
Clarksville, IN 47129
Mailing Address
201 West Riverside Dr.
Clarksville, IN 47129
phone: 812-280-9970
e-mail: park@fallsoftheohio.org
home page: www.fallsoftheohio.org
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Museum Type(s)
Historic House
Natural History
Nature Centers
Park
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