Falls of the Ohio State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falls of the Ohio State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Falls of the Ohio State Park
Location in Indiana
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| Location | Clark County, Indiana, US |
| Nearest city | Clarksville, Indiana |
| Area | 165 acres (67 ha) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Visitors | 327,092 (in 2003-2004) |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Falls of the Ohio State Park is an exciting state park in Indiana, USA. It sits right on the banks of the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana, just across from Louisville, Kentucky. This park is part of a larger area called the Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area.
The most amazing part of the park is its huge, exposed fossil beds. These fossils are from the Devonian period, which was millions of years ago! The Falls area is also famous because it's where Lewis & Clark met before starting their famous journey across America.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Fossils
Imagine walking on rocks that are hundreds of millions of years old! The main feature of Falls of the Ohio State Park is its incredible fossil beds. These beds are made of Jeffersonville Limestone and date back to the Devonian period. This was a time when Earth looked very different.
During the Devonian period, this area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Many sea creatures lived here, like corals, sponges, and ancient fish. When these creatures died, their remains were covered by mud and sand. Over millions of years, they turned into the fossils you can see today. It's like a giant outdoor museum!
What Kinds of Fossils Can You See?
You can find many different types of fossils here. One common fossil is the rugose coral, also known as "horn coral." These corals look like ancient horns sticking out of the rock. You might also spot plate-like fossils from ancient sea lilies called crinoids.
It's important to remember that these fossils are very old and fragile. Visitors are asked to look at them but not to remove them from the park. This helps protect them for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
The Interpretive Center
The park has a special building called an interpretive center. This center is open to the public and helps you learn even more about the park. It's like a museum where you can explore the history of the area.
The interpretive center was designed by Terry Chase and opened in 1992. It cost about $4.9 million to build and covers a large area of 16,000 square feet. Inside, you'll find exciting exhibits that teach you about the park's natural history. You can learn about the fossils and the ancient creatures that lived here.
Exploring History and Nature
The center also tells the story of human history in the Louisville area. You can learn about the people who lived here long ago, even before settlers arrived. It covers the early days of settlement and how Louisville and southern Indiana grew over time. It's a great place to understand both nature and history.
Unlike some other Indiana state parks, a yearly pass doesn't give you completely free entry to the interpretive center. There's a small fee to help the town of Clarksville pay for building the center. This helps keep the center running for everyone.
Trails and Wildlife
The park offers more than just fossils and history. You can also explore the Woodland Loop Trail. This trail has ten cool stainless steel markers. These markers help you identify the different plants and trees growing along the path. An Eagle Scout project helped make this trail even better!
Unexpected Animal Sightings
Sometimes, unusual animals show up at the park. Living alligators and crocodiles have been seen in the park's waters. In August 2006, a fisherman even found a dead octopus! It turned out that a college student had placed the octopus there for a film project. It just goes to show you never know what you might see at Falls of the Ohio State Park!
Gallery
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Interpretive Center Lobby
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A view of the Ohio River from the park.
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The Ohio River at sunset.
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Another view of the fossil beds.
Images for kids
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View from the shore looking towards Louisville.
