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Outdoors: Falls of the Ohio State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park is a trip back in time - millions of years, in fact. The park lies along the shores of the Ohio River, practically in the shade of downtown Louisville. The park is one of the smallest in the state park system, comprising only 68 acres, but it reaches across 400 million years to the Devonian age, when this part of the state was covered by a tropical sea. Over time, some of the vegetation, corals and fishes that lived in the sea died and were covered by sediment. The sediment contained calcium compounds that allowed the fossilization of the dead plants and animals. Now, the Ohio River has carved a channel through the old sea floor and exposed thousands of fossilized creatures from the past. More than 600 species of fossils have been identified at the Falls, including 250 species of coral. The exposed fossil beds extend for about 175 acres, and visitors are free to hike across them. There is also a short woodland trail and another hiking trail along the Ohio River levee. Present-day life forms include more than 270 species of birds and 125 species of fish. There is a large interpretive center (pictured) at the park with exhibits about the geological, biological, and cultural history of the region. Note that annual park passes are not accepted for admission to the interpretive center. Other facilities at the park include picnic tables and grills, a boat ramp, and a shelter. To Get There: Take exit 0 off I-65 and follow the signs to the park. Contact Information: Falls of the Ohio State Park P. O. Box 1327 Jeffersonville, Indiana 47131-1327 812-280-9970