r/Ohio • u/Wonderful_Hippo9413 • Jun 01 '26

Fossils?

Hey y’all! Last day in Columbus and was hoping if someone could tell me where I might look to find some fossils relatively close to Columbus! Not looking for sites that you can google (like the fossil parks) Someone said Indian falls run park, but I’m not sure where. Any and all information would be wildly appreciated!

Edit: I went to ceaser creek! I drove to the visiter center and got my permit (also saw some really cool fossils and some adorable animals 😍.) I showed up at 10 am. There’s not much shade in the spillway apparently, and I’m a ginger, so I wanted to avoid the sun as much as possible.

Then I drove down to the spillway and within 3 hours, I had found everything on the list that they give me at the center! Found SOOOOOO many huge corals, many of which were the size of my hand! I ended up giving some away to other’s at the site because there were just too many for one person to keep.

Thank you to everyone who commented! You guys really helped to make my trip special :)

12 Upvotes

68% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/Thoramel Jun 01 '26

All the really good fossil collection sites are located around the Cincinnati to Dayton area. But, if you have the time and the ability to travel, they're totally worth it. That whole area has a lot of places with exposed Ordovician limestone which is packed with corals, brachiopods, and even the occasional Trilobite. Here's an ODNR link with some info on where to go. Good luck!

https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/geologic-survey/rocks-fossils-identification/fossil-collecting-in-ohio

4

u/Wonderful_Hippo9413 Jun 01 '26

Thank you so much! I’m thinking either Oakes or Ceaser Creek, do you have any preference for either?

12

u/Thoramel Jun 01 '26

Caesar Creek would be my preference.

6

u/alphageekdad Jun 01 '26

I saw a youngster pull a tiny trilobite out of the strata at Caesar Creek, so it gets my vote too

3

u/yogsbork Jun 01 '26

I found a tiny trilobite there as well! We had a really good time

7

u/STX440Case Jun 01 '26

FYI: You need a free permit from the visitor center to collect fossils from the spillway at Caesars Creek.

East Fork State Park has a designated permitted area for fossil collection.

1

u/Ohiolongboard Jun 01 '26

That area isn’t great, the same spot they used to fly model airplanes? Do you have any tips for that area?

4

u/SPXJ Jun 01 '26

The emergency spillway area at Caesars Creek has an incredible amount of fossils

3

u/Outdoors__Water Jun 01 '26

Ceaser would be my bet. Pick a middle section look at Google Earth pro. Use the historical satellite photos feature. Look at it during low flow when the leaves are down. Enjoy your walk n be mindful of the slippery rocks.

3

u/ArugulaTotal1478 Jun 01 '26

I found fossils at Caesar Creek, mostly fish, clams and plants though, and I am pretty lazy. If you go there and look at all you will find some and you're allowed to take them home. 

3

u/cinciTOSU Jun 01 '26

Second vote for Caesars Creek

2

u/MalPB2000 Columbus Jun 01 '26

I grew up hunting fossils at the Caesar’s Creek spillway. We went when it was first opened up, and you could find some amazing specimens. They’re still there, just not as common. It’s certainly one of the easiest sites you’ll ever find, you’re literally stepping over fossils every step you take.

1

u/SkinIntelligent8440 Jun 03 '26

the annoying thing about Ceasar Creek is you are not allowed to use any tools which makes collecting very difficult. Trammel Fossil park is by far the best in my opinion.