Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area

Falls of the Ohio is a protected conservation area spanning about 1,400 acres along the Ohio River near Clarksville, where visitors can see ancient fossilized seabeds. The riverbanks display limestone formations that hold remains of creatures from long ago.

The site served as a meeting point for explorers in the late 1700s and was later protected as a natural area. It marks a place where Indigenous cultures and European exploration paths crossed.

The visitor center shares stories about the fossils here and explains how Indigenous peoples and settlers lived in this area over centuries.

The best time to explore the fossil beds is between August and October when river water levels drop and rock formations are most visible. The grounds are easy to walk, and the visitor center provides helpful background before heading to the shoreline.

The limestone layers hold fossils of sea creatures that lived millions of years ago, including corals, shells, and ancient snails. This makes the place a window into a time when this region was a shallow, warm ocean.

Location: Indiana

GPS coordinates: 38.27660,-85.76540

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28