I was not expecting too much of this place, based from what I read online. And from photos I saw, the Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville, Ohio looks like one of those mineral quarries that is almost devoid of fossils. The fact that it is a public park and the management allows visitors to dig and even bring small-size fossils home, I thought that I may find nothing on my visit.
But…
The Trammel Fossil Park proved me wrong! Even without digging or real searching, fossils were right there on the ground, before your eyes. Fossils were everywhere, just waiting to be picked up by visitors. The moment you start your steps to the hilly part of the park, you immediately see seashells etched on big boulders of rock.
The fossils, according to geologists, can be dated back to the late Ordovician Period, that’s about four hundred million (~445 million) years ago when primitive fish species dominated the seas. During that time, Ohio was still covered with warm, shallow sea similar to Bahamas. Over time, the sea deepened and covered parts of Ohio. However, nearing the end of the Ordovician period, the sea level retreated caused by continental glaciation. The retreat has exposed the rocks underneath and the remains of the multitude of sea lifeforms. The limestone in the park was the product of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of animals that used to inhabit the sea that covered the region.
Visitors, young and old, would certainly enjoy the fossil hunt. When I visited the park, the only people there were a mom and her small kid who seemed to enjoy the slopes while collecting rocks.
Here are some tips when planning to visit the park:
- There is an area at the bottom of the hill where signs are placed, explaining the history and the types of fossils that you’d find at the park. Do this first: read the signs before you start your climb and fossil hunting.
- Bring a small shovel or some digging tools if you want to experience a real archaeological digging yourself. Bring a bag too so you could take home your finds!
- Some areas are steep, so wear a comfortable and appropriate footwear.
- For those with kids, bring a first-aid kit with antiseptic cleanser and band aids. You’ll never know what happens when kids get too much excited and run through the rocky hill — returning to you with a scratch or a cut.
- It can get very hot during mid afternoons. Since it is an open field without any shade that you can run to, bring bottles of water.
This is one of the tourist spots that you need to visit at least once. Bring your kids and teach them about the geologic history of Ohio through the stories of the fossils. As the park sign says “the rocks you see here hold important clues to what life was like 445 million years ago.”
Spare an hour or two to truly enjoy the area.
How much is the admission fee?
This is a FREE-to-enter park. No admission fee is collected.
Where could I park my vehicle?
There is a designated area for parking just in front of the park.
Where is the Trammel Fossil Park located?
Address: 11935 Tramway Dr, Sharonville, OH 45241
Click here for the Google Map direction
What are the visiting hours?
The park is open everyday from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Looking for other attractions nearby?
Click a marker on the map to see other unique places in Ohio.
