At Charlestown State Park, river views meet dramatic terrain: from there, you can see the Fourteenmile Creek valley and the Ohio River, while the elevation varies by more than 200 feet. On your hikes, you’ll also encounter Devonian fossil outcrops and karst sinkhole landscapes. The park brings scenic impressions together with traces of geological history.
Fossils and River Landscapes
The view at the Falls of the Ohio also reaches far back in time: the fossil bed is 390 million years old and dates to the Devonian period. It is described as one of the oldest of its kind in the world. The 220-acre fossil beds are generally most accessible from August to October, when the river level is at its lowest. Check river conditions before visiting. Exploring the fossils is also an opportunity to learn about geology and fossils.
Falls of the Ohio State Park includes an Interpretive Center with interactive, immersive exhibits, as well as a Fossil Challenge. The park offers programs year-round, including multi-day special events, hikes to the fossil beds, and educational events. More than 270 bird species have been recorded at the Falls of the Ohio. The fossil beds, exhibits, and programs each offer a different focus, from an up-close look at the geological formation to learning opportunities at the center.
Forests, Lakes, and Trails
Established in 1903, Clark State Forest is Indiana’s oldest state forest. It includes four nature preserves: White Oak, Virginia Pine-Chestnut Oak, Alum Cave Hollow, and Outbrook Ravine. Seven lakes in the forest are open to boating and fishing. For a different kind of exploration, the 20-mile Overland Trail is designated as a mountain biking trail. In places, it follows sections of several horseback riding trails, the Lake Vista Trail, and the Deam Lake Loop.
Deam Lake offers a range of activities: fishing, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, and hiking are all possible, and hunting is permitted in designated areas. Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers campsites with electrical hookups, electric equestrian camping, and Rent-a-Camp cabins. Trails connect the area to Clark State Forest. Two different descriptions can help you choose a trail: the scenic Yellow Horse Trail is an approximately six-mile loop around the lake and much of the grounds. The Lake Vista Trail, by contrast, is a challenging trail estimated at 2.5 miles, with a rock cut and views of the lake.
Discover the History
Visitors can reach Rose Island via the historic Portersville Bridge. It was rebuilt at its current location between 2008 and 2011. The Big Four Bridge crosses the Ohio River and connects Louisville, Kentucky, with Jeffersonville, Indiana, for pedestrians and cyclists.
Clark County was the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803. The Clark County Museum traces the county’s history from the time of Native Americans to the present day. Its collection includes maps, clothing, vehicles, artworks, and archaeological objects. The exhibits also explore the county’s role as a major Underground Railroad route and include replicas of historic county landmarks.
Other collections focus on specific subjects: the Howard Steamboat Museum displays, among other things, photographs, shipbuilding tools, paintings, steam whistles, signal bells, and detailed steamboat models. Group tours offer personalized experiences with knowledgeable guides; reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Check the booking details before your trip.
At Schimpff’s, candy-making goes hand in hand with collection history. Live demonstrations of the candy-making process are available by advance booking. Offerings include Cinnamon Red Hots, hand-dipped chocolates, and caramel-covered Modjeskas. The Schimpff’s Confectionery Candy Museum houses thousands of pieces of American candy memorabilia, including antique candy-making machinery, historic packaging, and advertisements. RiverStage offers a Summer Concert Series and other free events; if you’d like to plan your visit around one, check the specific event dates.
Discover more destinations: Jeffersonville, Sellersburg, Borden, Madison County, Kosciusko County, Greene County, Monroe, Lagrange County.
For the broader travel overview: Indiana.
