Falls of the Ohio State Park

Falls of the Ohio State Park is a state park along the Ohio River that exposes rock layers from the Devonian period. The park covers 220 acres and displays limestone formations that are around 390 million years old.

George Rogers Clark established the first permanent English settlement in the Northwest Territory near this location in 1778. The river location made this spot a key point for early expansion into the region.

The interpretive center tells the story of how this river location shaped settlements and development in the region through exhibits on local geology and natural history. Visitors learn how the river itself guided the growth of nearby communities over time.

The fossil beds are best visited from August through October when the river reaches its lowest water level. Outside these months, the formations remain underwater, so timing your visit is important for seeing them.

The park holds more than 600 fossil species, including around 250 different coral types, making it one of the world's largest exposed Devonian fossil sites. Finding such an extensive collection in a single location is rare and draws researchers and fossil enthusiasts.

Location: Indiana

Inception: 1990

Website: https://in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/falls-of-the-ohio-state-park

GPS coordinates: 38.27560,-85.76360

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22