Programs, Events and Exhibits

For more information about specific programs please contact us at: (812) 280-9970 or park@fallsoftheohio.org

Public Hikes on fossil beds

Scheduled daily from June 1 - September 2. Weekend hikes start Memorial Day weekend and go through the last weekend in October.

Programs

Saturday History Programs
Now in its eighth year, the last Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in our auditorium, we show a different 20 - 40 minute video on our "big screen." The Ancient Kentucke Historical Association continues the series. A speaker will accompany each video to answer questions you might have. The program topic will be announced one month in advance. These programs are free with regular Interpretive Center admission.

Outer Fossil Bed Hikes
August 30, Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 21, (9:30 a.m.); Oct. 4, Oct. 11  (10:00 a.m.)
Led by long-time park volunteer Paul Olliges.  This strenuous three-hour hike is restricted to age 12 and up. Access depends on the river level—if the dam gates are open, we can’t go out!  Call the park office the day before. Meet on the deck of the Interpretive Center.

Canoe Hikes                                   
August 30, Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 18
 (9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Paddle the falls and discover a very pleasant way to discover wildlife and seldom-seen fossils. Join an interpretive naturalist and see our park as few are able. Call 812-280-9970 for current information. Rent a canoe or kayak from www.canoekentucky.com.

Young Explorer Day Camps
Students explore the different outside habitats found at the Falls of the Ohio State Park, as well as the exhibits inside the Interpretive Center. Students learn about science and history, including fossils, nature, native people, plants, aquatic life, and more through hands-on education activities. Camp sessions are three days ($40), four days ($60), or five days ($80). Grades 4-6 attend in the mornings from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and grades 1-3 attend in the afternoons from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The Young Explorer Day Camp schedule is as follows:

• June 10-13, Tuesday-Friday, $60
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3
• June 30-July 4, Monday-Friday, $80
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3
• July 7-9, Monday-Wednesday, $40
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3
• July 15-18, Tuesday-Friday, $60
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3
• July 21-25, Monday-Friday, $80
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3
• July 28-August 1, Monday-Friday, $80
  8:30-11:30 a.m. – grades 4-6
  1:00-4:00 p.m. – grades 1-3

Young Paleontologist Camp
This camp is for students ages 9-14 who will examine the life and live the life of a paleontologist. Students will discover how paleontologists learn about the history of life on Earth by studying fossils (the remains or traces of organisms such as plants and animals that lived in the past). The camp dates are June 25-27, Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and the fee is $80.

Young Archaeologist Camp
This camp is for students ages 11-15 who will explore the work of an archaeologist. Students will discover how archaeologists learn about past cultures and societies by studying human artifacts left by these earlier peoples. The camp dates are July 10-12, Thursday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and the fee is $80.

Day camps are sponsored by The Falls of the Ohio Foundation and State Park Interpretive Center. To register for one of the day camps, email dani@fallsoftheohio.org or call (812) 283-4999.

Discovery Wednesdays at the Falls of the Ohio
Come on almost any Wednesday from January - May to discover something new about our world. Programs will start at 1:00 p.m. and run from 1 hour to 3 hours depending on the topic and they will be held in the Interpretive Center library unless otherwise noted. Some are training programs for our Naturalist at Heart volunteers (open to all) and others are general public programs. Programs are free with regular Interpretive Center admission.

February 20 - Exploring the Ordovician, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Alan Goldstein

February 27 - Prehistory at the Falls, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Bett Etenohan

March 12 - Fossils at the Falls, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Alan Goldstein

March 19 - Geode Minerals, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Alan Goldstein

March 26 - Birds at the Falls, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Kathy Dennis, Park Volunteer/Advanced Birder

April 2 - Spring Wildflowers, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Connie Farmer

April 9 - Urban Mammals, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Doug McCoy, Louisville Zoo

April 16 - Advanced Birding, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Brainard Palmer-Ball, KY Nature Preserves

April 23 - Life in the Ohio River, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Jeremy Beavin, Connie Farmer

May 7 - History at the Falls, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Jeannie Burke

May 28 - Identifying Trees, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Connie Farmer

Temporary Exhibits

Waaay Back Home in Indiana:

Discoveries at the Caesars Casino Site
December 8, 2007 – March 30, 2008

Over five million ordinary artifacts were excavated in the archaeological digs associated with the construction of the Caesars Casino on the Harrison-Floyd Co. line. Using a selection of artifacts, this exhibit will tell the story of the dig. What was learned about the history of Native Americans who lived there over the past 8,000 years?

Audubon at the Falls: 1808 - 2008
April 12 – August 10

The first of two exhibits celebrating the bicentennial of John James Audubon at the Falls of the Ohio. This exhibit will focus on the historical aspects of bird watching: who did it, what they were trying to accomplish and tools of the hobby. This exhibit will include taxidermy mounts of birds Audubon would have seen and some exceptional books.

Rocks, Minerals and Life
August 23 – November 30

How are rocks and minerals used in our every day life? This exhibit will focus on the building blocks of our modern world and the beautiful minerals that are sacrificed to improve our lives.

Archaeology in Clark County, Indiana
December 13 – late March 2009

Focuses on the cultural history of 19th century Clark County. Sponsored by the Falls of the Ohio Archaeology Society. It will feature artifacts on loan from local museums and individuals.

* Opening dates are approximate.