Falls of the Ohio State Park image

Falls of the Ohio State Park

Tourist attraction State park

One of the Most Revieweds in Clarksville


Address

201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129, United States

Website

www.fallsoftheohio.org

Contact

+1 812-280-9970

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (3.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 7 am to 11 pm
  • Monday: 7 am to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: park (23) fossil (21) beds (18) great (18) fossils (16) river (13) water (13) Louisville (12) rocks (10) Ohio (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Lori K. 5 months ago on Google • 12 reviews
    There are lots of photos of the fossil beds but the trails are amazing too. If you're into hiking off the beaten path, there are trails beside the fossil beds. Some trails going into the trees. This entire place from the fossil beds to the park and the trails through the trees and along the flood wall are so peaceful. I highly recommend!!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim F. 2 years ago on Google
    Falls of the Ohio State Park is a long, meandering park that follows the Ohio River between Louisville and Clarksville for (insert specific distance here) mile(s). It affords you a great view of the Louisville skyline and makes for a great afternoon walk. This is a great park. There's plenty of shoreline to walk along, benches and tables for sitting, and paved paths for walking and biking. On any given day you'll see dozens, even hundreds of people milling or riding about the park. The fossil beds along the shore are fascinating and easy to access, and are just one of the cool things about this park. There's a visitor/education center that we didn't visit (saving that for next time) that's got a great elevated view of the river and some of those quarter-fed telescopes for seeing long distances. For me, getting as close as I can to rushing water my goal. I love the power and the majesty of flowing water. The park very well maintained and groomed, and I've never seen rogue litter hanging around on my visits. From tree-lines paths to open shore to sitting on a bench and enjoying nature, Falls of the Ohio State Park is a park you'll want to visit again and again.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marion S. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a great place for watching sunsets. There are a lot of places to catch the light just right. When the water is low, you can explore the Falls and/or fish too. It is truly an amazing feeling being on the fossil rocks. (My pics do not show that part unfortunately). There are playgrounds for the kids and picnic areas too.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jeff B (. 7 months ago on Google • 465 reviews
    Well, I don't know what I was searching for, but this was not it. Water flowing over a dam and rocks with fossils didn't do it for me. I even took a tour with a great State Park employee, but could get over how dirty it felt and almost unsafe. Good try, but the hot park and tough part of town made this less than enjoyable.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kautuk k. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place near downtown Louisville for bird watching and family picnic. Trail in the park offers good location of birding and walking. River bed walkable when the water level is low. Seen many people come here for fishing and jogging or biking.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tracey 7 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    We were on our way home from staying downtown Louisville. We stopped at the Falls of the Ohio on our way home. This side of the river was a completely different perspective than on the Kentucky side. It was like you stepped into another place. We walked out to the river. It was beautiful. The way the land looked, the birds, the fossils in the rocks. The building was closed, I believe for renovations so I can't say what was inside. I love nature. This place was worth stopping at for thay reason. We didn't stay too long as we were headed home. It was worth stopping at to see! We did see a snake crossing the sidewalk when walking back to the parking lot as well. He meant no harm and was just crossing the path. Just be aware of where you are walking, my husband is terrified of snakes- hehehe and I love them.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julisa C. 2 years ago on Google
    I go a little crazy taking photos, but I like to share the different views and some of the same. You can actually walk the rocks, right now. It was a little muddy, so it a good thing I was wearing my rain boots. It's a nice view of downtown Louisville and you get to enjoy the calmness of the water off the Ohio River.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jami C. 1 month ago on Google • 383 reviews New
    This place is full of history. Great place to get out and walk around. We really enjoyed finding fossils and walking on the rocks by the water.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Syed S. 5 months ago on Google • 363 reviews
    Falls of the Ohio State Park is a beautiful park located in Clarksville, Indiana, just across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. The park is home to the exposed fossil beds of the Jeffersonville Limestone, which are among the largest in the world. Visitors can explore the fossil beds and learn about the area's natural history at the park's interpretive center. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing pier. It's a great place to spend a day outdoors, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maxwell Malone (. 11 months ago on Google
    One of the most beautiful and unique parks in the country. The history and science and all with this location is in paralleled. Provides a phenomenal view of the McAlpine locks and dams as well. It is a wonderful place to hike or enjoy the scenery.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Debbie Shell H. 2 years ago on Google
    A lot to see.. if you like fossils and rocks!! So much info here on the making of the falls. There are movies inside that are well done and even an exhibit. I loved the outside the most. There is also a very very old dictionary in the exhibit which is so cool.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle F. 8 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    It is always fun visiting Falls of the Ohio when the water is lower and you can explore the exposed fossil beds. There are literally fossils everywhere. This is a really cool area for bird watching and checking out the fish too. I saw some neat long nosed gar the other day. There is some construction on the backside walkway and the main entrance was closed (so no bathrooms), but that is likely something temporary during construction. The museum here is small, but neat, and there is a really cool bird watching room inside, if you want to take a break from the hot or cold and just watch the wildlife. Plenty of benches around the main building.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin P. 1 year ago on Google
    Free to explore the Fossil beds. Only cost to get into the museum and exhibit area. $2 parking. Be careful. It is 20° hotter on the limestone bed, then the air in the summer. Great time overall please visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sukanto M. 9 months ago on Google
    The park is veru nice for hiking, you will get a hiking trails that by the ohio river. There is a fossil bed area, I have seen at lot doing fishing therer, We will have great louisvill skyline views and also the bridge. Overall, I enjoyed the hiking and views. Free parking on the trialhead, which l liked it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Terri S. 9 months ago on Google
    Very unique park… definitely worth the visit. We spotted many fossils and enjoyed the beautiful view.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ashley J. 1 year ago on Google
    Love coming to this place. It's peaceful, educational, interesting, and they always hold tours that teach you things everytime. It's free to the public and they encourage all to grab some hand shovels and explore the beds behind the education center. There you can find different minerals, gems, fossils and all types of great artifacts. A favorite of mine and my littles.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Missy K. 1 year ago on Google
    Was really neat. Had a great time walking with the hubby. The water was low so we could walk a little further today. You have to watch the water levels. To go through the center it does cost a little. Just a warning cause we left our wallets in the car. We did enjoy all the outside walking. Hope you all enjoy
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 David R. 2 years ago on Google
    It's not your traditional state park, but offers a unique experience walking along fossil beds to see a wide range of different types of fossils. The hike down to the fossil beds is short, so it's great if you are not into longer hikes. Although good footing is recommended on some of the uneven rocks and terrain. Finally, there was no entrance fee to the park, making it a good place to being the whole family for free.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ponyboy C. 8 months ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing fossil beds! I'm an avid fossil hunter and still had never seen specimens this big! I took a lot of photos for my field journal, but remember not to take any home though I understand how hard it that can be! I'll definitely be returning! One of my top 5 best locations
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Andrea 5 months ago on Google • 24 reviews
    Very impressive amount of visible fossil beds along the Ohio River that you can walk on. Featured on the Indiana border to Kentucky, you have a nice view of the Louisville skyline. It is definitely worth seeing if you are in the area. Add this into your Bourbon trial experiment. History center on site.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven “Steve G” W. 8 months ago on Google
    It's a great place to spend the day either inside taking the museum tour 8$ or checking out the bird watching room with great views of the outside wild atrium with a variety of different birds seasonal and the one's who live here year round or if you're like me and my wife you can always take a nice little hike-walk down to the rocks right on the river with great views of the city and the falls and really nice place to have a picnic
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrea L D. 1 year ago on Google
    A visit you can’t miss when you are in Louisville. Be aware of the heat around the fossil area as temperature rises. Amazing to discover different fossils while strolling along the river side. There’s also a spectacular view of Louisville’s skyline. Highly recommended!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bonnie R. 1 year ago on Google
    The park is free to explore the fossil beds. We went later in the summer evening when it was cooler and we could enjoy gorgeous sunset views of the river and Louisville skyline.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gregory J. 1 year ago on Google
    This is one of the most underrated state parks in Indiana. My family loved viewing the fossil beds. Lewis and Clark met here before they began their journey west. The park brings history to life.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gloria G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit. The fossil beds are a valuable educational experience for children and adults. There is an scenery route around the river. The museum has interesting displays and info.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Heather H. 2 years ago on Google
    Not real impressed with this place. We stopped in to get our National Park passport books stamped with the Lewis and Clark Scenic Trail stamp, but the guy working couldn’t even find the stamp. Really disappointing. I’m just glad that we didn’t drive 1.5 hrs for nothing. At least we had been visiting other places before coming here. If we had only come here for this reason, and this happened, I’d be severely upset. Please have all your stamps in order for people to enjoy. The National Park app lists this place as a place to get stamped for the Lewis and Clark Scenic trail, and one should be able to do so when visiting. It is a very pretty area though, with a few nice things to see.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Desiree N. 4 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Amazon volunteers to clean up every year and this is an amazing place to visit, learn, hike and see the louisville shoreline. We love coming here each year and helping!

  • 5/5 mark w. 6 months ago on Google • 29 reviews
    Beautiful place, easy to get too. The entire lake bed is made of millions of fossils that are 390 million years old. They have fossil hikes regularly and other activities, our naturalist did an amazing job and the whole family loved it!

  • 5/5 Jason M. 3 months ago on Google • 20 reviews New
    Great opportunity to learn about the ancient, as well as, more recent history of the area. The fossil beds are a must for any budding paleontologist, and the interpretive center is well-worth exploring. Don't forget your National Park Passport book! It's a part of the Lewis & Clark Trail!

  • 5/5 Jon H. 8 months ago on Google
    Was not expecting to see the fossils on the dry river bed. Park Ranger was awesome and poured water over fossils so they could be viewed better. This was it expected but really helped the experience. I will encourage friends to visit this park. Also fun because you could explore river bed and didn't have to stay on a certain path.

  • 5/5 Chris S. 8 months ago on Google
    Such a fun and interesting park. Lots of history, beautiful views, fun fossils and great picnic spots. Bring the family have some fun and enjoy this local gem.

  • 5/5 Laura G. 8 months ago on Google
    The fossil beds were really neat to explore. My 14 amd 16 year olds had fun clambering all over the rocks and finding the coolest fossils. Definitely a must see!

  • 5/5 Shaun B. 7 months ago on Google
    I e always looked forward to coming here from when I was a little kid, especially if the water level is low. The museum is worth visiting, and the gift shop also. But the real reason I come is for the adventure of climbing the rocks and seeing the fossils that are older than you can imagine!

  • 5/5 Kimberly M. 7 months ago on Google
    While I was unable to see a lot of it while there because it was dark lol. But the parts I could see were pretty cool. Seen some wild life as well. A huge raccoon, (thought it was a dog for a minute) and 2 little skunks. They kept following us. Hubby was afraid we were gonna get sprayed. I think they had been with people and somehow ended up back out side but couldn't take the chance.

  • 3/5 GEORGE S. 9 months ago on Google
    Meh'... If you're looking for something to do, I'd say "Go see for yourself", but I would NOT go out of the way to plan a trip.

  • 5/5 Dawn M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very informative museum with interesting displays, and reveals some history of Lewis & Clark. Unlike other states parks this one doesn't have trails and camping. There are some city walking paths connecting throughout, so it's still a great place for a long walk along the river greenway.

  • 4/5 Mary P. 1 year ago on Google
    This park was closed when we visited. Some info available to read. Hope to return when open. Impressive engineering.

  • 3/5 Brenden B. 11 months ago on Google
    Very interesting state park. Lots of trash from the river being deposited on the shoreline and it’s a sad site. Unfortunately I’m sure it’s impossible to keep it clean as our waterways are heavily used. Besides that it’s an impressive area when you get on the beach and look at all the wood that’s been moved by water. Amazing what the force of water can accomplish.

  • 4/5 Ziggy Z. 4 months ago on Google
    Great place to walk around and see some fossils. We didn't do the inside portion.

  • 4/5 Christina T. 1 year ago on Google
    What an amazing place. The view was amazing and the museum was nice. Great customer service. I took a start off because there are trails to walk. However as you get down most the trail you have to turn around because they are working on it. They should have that posted.

  • 5/5 David K. 2 years ago on Google
    I love this great park across the Ohio River from Louisville. The Lewis and Clark history, the waterfalls, the great views of Louisville and all the bridges. Definitely worth crossing over the Second Street Bridge


Call +1 812-280-9970 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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