Trammel Fossil Park
Discover ancient marine fossils, including trilobites, at this free park where you can keep your finds. Enjoy city views too!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Trammel Fossil Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover ancient marine fossils, including trilobites, at this free park where you can keep your finds. Enjoy city views too!
"A fun, free spot to explore and find fossils, especially at golden hour. You can even take one home!"
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven and muddy. Bring extra shoes and clothes, especially after rain!
☀️ Little to No Shade
The park is in an industrial area with few trees. Pack sunscreen and hats!
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 589 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Trilobite Treasures
Throughout the park
Hunt for ancient marine fossils, including the iconic trilobites, and take one home as a souvenir.
Scenic City Views
Top of the hills
Enjoy panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline from the park's elevated areas.
Educational Signage
Various locations
Learn about the fossils you find and the park's geological history through informative signs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Fossil Hunting Fun: What to Know Before You Go
Best Times for Discovery & Comfort
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven and muddy. Bring extra shoes and clothes, especially after rain!
☀️ Little to No Shade
The park is in an industrial area with few trees. Pack sunscreen and hats!
⛏️ Digging Tools Optional
While shovels can help, many fossils are visible on the surface. Use your eyes!
📸 Great for Photography
The landscape and city views offer excellent photo opportunities, especially at golden hour.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven and muddy. Bring extra shoes and clothes, especially after rain!
☀️ Little to No Shade
The park is in an industrial area with few trees. Pack sunscreen and hats!
⛏️ Digging Tools Optional
While shovels can help, many fossils are visible on the surface. Use your eyes!
📸 Great for Photography
The landscape and city views offer excellent photo opportunities, especially at golden hour.
🆓 It's Free!
Enjoy this unique paleontological experience without any admission cost.
💧 Check Weather First
Can get muddy after rain, but this can also reveal more fossils.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Trammel Fossil Park for its unique, free fossil hunting experience and the chance to take home a souvenir. Many appreciate the educational aspect and the scenic city views, making it a hit with families and adults alike. However, some find the terrain challenging and note the lack of shade, with a few expressing disappointment if they don't find fossils easily.
"This was a fun, free spot to check out, especially at “golden hour.” We were the only ones there. It’s neat how you can explore and find fossils and take one (yes, instructions say you can keep one fossil/rock) home with you. Lots of informational signs. Plenty of parking in the adjacent parking lot.
And then it was really neat seeing this place mentioned in the natural history section of the Cincinnati museum the next day, plus even more in depth information on fossils."
Emily
"My son spent a wonderful afternoon here playing archaeologist and explorer. It was a lot of fun for me, since you can see the city from the top. There were lots of flowers. I like photography, so we had a great time."
Paula Miranda
"I give this place 5 stars b/c it is free, has a porta potty, and is such a cool/unique experience! We ended up going to dollar tree and buying some shovels (that store doesn't get five stars), but in reality most of the fossils we found were scattered amongst the rocks. We also picked up some rocks that had fossils imprinted in them. So don't feel pressured to buy a shovel, you just have a use your eyes. We found some nice souvenirs for our trip. We would definitely go back if we were in the area."
Shaniece Goodlow
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Trammel Fossil Park is located at 11935 Tramway Drive, Sharonville, OH 45241. It's situated in an industrial area, so look for signs. There is plenty of parking available in the adjacent lot.
Public transportation options to the immediate vicinity of Trammel Fossil Park may be limited. It's best to check local transit schedules for routes serving Sharonville. Driving is the most common way to access the park.
The park consists of rocky hills. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain can be uneven and slippery, especially after rain.
Many visitors combine a trip to Trammel Fossil Park with a visit to the Cincinnati Museum Center, where they can learn more about fossils.
Due to the rocky and hilly terrain, the park may not be easily accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. It's primarily suited for walking and exploring on foot.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Trammel Fossil Park is completely free to enter! There are no admission fees, making it an affordable and fun outing for everyone.
The park is generally open during daylight hours. As it's an outdoor public park, there are no strict opening or closing times posted, but it's best to visit when there's sufficient light for fossil hunting.
No, tickets are not required. Trammel Fossil Park is a public park, and you can visit anytime during daylight hours without prior booking.
Yes, the park's policy allows visitors to keep one fossil or rock they find. This makes it a great place to collect unique souvenirs.
While you can keep one fossil, it's always good practice to be respectful of the natural environment. Avoid taking excessive amounts or disturbing the park's landscape.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can find a variety of ancient marine fossils, including trilobites, brachiopods, and other invertebrates. The park is known for its rich fossil deposits from the Ordovician period.
Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and water. Some visitors bring small shovels or brushes for digging, but many fossils are visible on the surface. A bag for your finds is also recommended.
There is very little shade at the park as it's located in an industrial area with minimal tree cover on the hills. Be prepared for sun exposure.
Yes, there is a porta potty available at the park, which is a convenient amenity for visitors.
It's a fun and educational experience for children, but adult supervision is recommended due to the uneven terrain and the nature of fossil hunting.
📸 📸 Photography
The top of the hills offer great panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline, especially during golden hour. The unique fossil-covered rocks also make for interesting close-up shots.
Yes, the combination of the natural landscape, the industrial backdrop, and the distant city views provides diverse opportunities for landscape photography.
Absolutely! Documenting your fossil finds is a great way to remember your visit. Many visitors share their discoveries online.
Late afternoon, during the 'golden hour,' offers beautiful lighting for both landscapes and close-ups of fossils.
There are no specific photo restrictions mentioned for public areas of the park. However, always be mindful of other visitors and the natural environment.
Social
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