Fossil Bed Discovery Hike
2025-09-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Discover the wonders of the fossil beds with a park naturalist. We will look at Devonian marine fossils and discuss how they lived, what they ate, how / why they were preserved. Hike lasts 60 minutes. Meet on deck. We walk down 60 steps to fossil beds and return via ramp. (Or use ramp if participants have problems with steps.) Please wear shoes suitable for walking on rocks.

Bead It - Art at the Falls
2025-09-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
We inherited a large collection of beads. Join us for an Art at the Falls activity that beads to a different drum. Mike Gibson will guide participants in an activity where you can design sculptures, mandalas, or jewelry in this “multibeadia” activity. Don’t bead around the bush, meet in the picnic area. $2 program free covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.

Junior Paleontologist Program
2025-10-04 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Our Junior Paleontologist program is similar to what some national parks offer but focuses on our area. This family program is geared for the same age as our Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program – ages 6 – 13. New guided activity booklet is now in use. Join park paleontologist Alan Goldstein as we have some fun learning about fossils. Free. Meets in the classroom. Exhibit gallery admission not included.

Bee-utiful Fossils
2025-10-05 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Fossil insects have been found dating back hundreds of millions of years. Volunteer Dale Brown will bring examples and discuss the history of insects, where they are found, and how they are preserved. Free program meets in the rotunda.

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
2025-10-11 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Cost $2.00 per participant covered by a grant by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.

CANCELED: Experience the Outer Fossil Beds
2025-10-12 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
CANCELED: The water levels are too high near the dam to safely cross this weekend so the Oct. 12th Outer Fossil Bed Tour has been cancelled.
The outer fossils are one of the world’s amazing excursions to see Devonian fossils in their natural “habitat.” We only offer this hike in the late summer and fall when the upper gates of the McAlpine Dam are closed. This 3-hour hike is moderately rugged on uneven limestone ledges and without shade, so wear a hat. Use enclosed shoes and bring water. You will do a little wading; the worst is about two feet deep with a moderate current. We will explore the geology, history, and river dynamics & engineering of the dam and 1870 railroad bridge. Watch for birds and other wildlife. Meet at the Interpretive Center 15 minutes early to sign the waiver. The hike is for anyone over age 12.

National Fossil Day at the Falls
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Celebrate National Fossil Day at the Falls of the Ohio State Park with a series of special fossil bed hikes, reduced admission for the Interpretive Center – $7 for adults, guides on the collecting piles, children’s activities and more!
Three special hikes:
10 to 11:30 AM – Hike to the dam – look at the fossils in a part of the fossil bed that we rarely take visitors.
1 to 2:30 PM – A really big fossil hike: Join the park naturalist as we seek out the biggest fossils on the fossil beds, including a 50-foot-long branching coral, 15-foot-wide honeycomb coral, four-foot horn coral and more.
3 PM – Fishing for fossils at Fisherman’s Point: Join the park naturalist as we explore the fossil beds at Fisherman’s Point. We’ll look for snails, crinoids, and look at some of the biggest corals on the fossil beds. Bring a deck broom and a bucket and help us expose some cool fossils.
Hands-on fossil-related activities and crafts will be held in the Interpretive Center rotunda and the picnic area.

Family Nature Club - Build a Crinoid
2025-10-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Crinoids are common fossils but not understood by most people. Join us for an activity where visitors get to make and take a crinoid with art/craft materials and cereal.$2 program fee is covered by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the picnic area.

Paleontology Explorer - The AG Boundary
2025-10-25 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Alan Goldstein will spin a few stories connected to his favorite fossils in the park’s collections, including some he found over the years as interpretive naturalist and park paleontologist. He retires after 31 years from the Falls of the Ohio State Park in two weeks.

Falls Feeder Fairies - Art at the Falls
2025-10-26 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
We’ll make decorative fairies out of acorns and other natural materials that you can place in your yard to help feed wildlife. Led by artist Mike Gibson. Your $2 program fee is covered by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.

An Afternoon with Alan
2025-11-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
After 31 years, interpretive naturalist and park paleontologist is retiring from the Falls of the Ohio State Park. This is one of your last opportunities to bring in rocks and fossils for identification by him. (Repeated Nov. 8th.) Ask questions about his time at the park, geology & fossils. He has “a few” funny stories to share.

Shell in a Handbasket
2025-11-02 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Join volunteer naturalist Nick Feltner as he goes through a basket of fascinating fossil and modern snail shells. How has the life history of gastropods changed over time? What are differences between their shapes? We will explore the unusual adaptations of current snails using beautiful specimens recently acquired from the Kentucky Science Center’s collection. Free Program in the rotunda.

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
2025-11-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Cost $2.00 per participant covered by a grant by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the classroom.

The Last Afternoon with Alan
2025-11-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
After 31 years, interpretive naturalist and park paleontologist is hanging up his uniform and retiring from the Falls of the Ohio State Park at the end of the day. This is your last opportunity to bring in rocks and fossils for identification or ask questions about geology & fossils. He will share memories from his time here.

Dinosaurs, Gosh Dung It!
2025-11-09 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Coprolites are a paleontological curiosity. How can dinosaur droppings be preserved as fossils? Many animal droppings are preserved in the fossil record. Learn about this unusual and important trace fossil from Dale Brown, a local amateur paleontologist and park volunteer. Meets in the rotunda. Free program.

Saving America's Largest Salamander - The Hellbender
2025-11-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Indiana is home to America’s largest salamander, called the Hellbender. It is only found in one Indiana river – the Blue River in Harrison County. Come and learn about this amazing aquatic animal, what makes it special, and what you can do to keep its habitat clean. This hands-on program will cover its adaptations, how water pollution affects it, and how amphibians have changed over geological time using a life-size model of Ichthyostega, the oldest amphibian in the fossil record. Program free.

Geodes and Crystals Scavenger Hunt - Family Nature Club
2025-11-16 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
What makes a geode different from a pocket of crystals? Where are geodes and crystals found? These are some the questions that Family Nature Club will address. After learning about geodes, participants will partake in a geode scavenger hunt inside the Interpretive Center. Complete the hunt and pick out a geode to take home. $2 program fee covered by Falls of the Ohio Foundation Grant. Location, Rotunda.

Predation of the Devonian Ocean
2025-11-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
Join Seasonal Naturalist Nick for a program about the predator/prey dynamics of an ancient ocean. We will play a game based on a smash hit party game, just repackaged for what our fossil beds were possibly 390+ Million Years ago. Plus learn a bit about the animals that would have hunted and been hunted millions of years ago. Rotunda, 1 hour. Free

Horn Coral Copia - Art at the Falls
2025-11-23 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
The cornucopia represents the fruitful harvest. Some fossil horn corals have a similar shape. You’re going to combine these to make a small “horn coralcopia” to take home. Guide by artist Mike Gibson. Meets in the rotunda. $2 program fee covered by Falls of the Ohio Foundation grant.

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville, IN, 47129, United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Cost $2.00 per participant covered by a grant by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meet in the classroom.

Elf on a Shell
2025-12-14 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | IN
Using acorns and twigs, dressed in colorful cloth, participants will make ornaments with a seashell base. Guided by artist Mike Gibson. Meets in the rotunda. $2 program fee covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.
