Trammel Fossil Park is a premier fossil collecting location in Hamilton County, Ohio. The site exposes Ordovician (Late Ordovician) fossils where visitors can hunt for bryozoans, brachiopods, crinoids, trilobites, and corals.

Public collecting is allowed with no permit required; hand tools permitted; follow park guidance available at sharonville.org. Free access. Approximately 440-450 million years old. Bryozoans and brachiopods abundant. Crinoids and trilobites less common but present. Four formations labeled on hillside (Fairview, Miamitown, Bellevue, Corryville). Educational kiosk in shape of Edrioasteroid (Cincinnati’s official city fossil) with excellent interpretive signs. Bring hammer, chisel, safety glasses. City park facilities include picnic tables, portable toilets and hand washing station (April-November), drinking fountain. Hiking trail to hilltop view of Cincinnati. One of several excellent Ordovician sites in Cincinnati area. Rocks originated in Cincinnatian Series and are important geological reference globally. Over 1,200 species of fossilized animals identified in southwest Ohio Ordovician deposits.

Before becoming a park, the land was part of an industrial park when a layer of rare Edrioasteroids (Cincinnati’s official city fossil) were discovered and uncovered by professionals from University of Cincinnati and amateur paleontologists from the Dry Dredgers fossil club. R.L. Trammel donated the 10-acre plot of land to the City of Sharonville. The park was officially dedicated in 2003.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know about fossil collecting at Trammel, including directions to the site, collecting rules and regulations, the types of fossils you can find, and what to expect during your visit. Sharonville provides the nearest services and amenities for visiting collectors.

Location and Directions

You can find Trammel in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Directions to Trammel

To reach Trammel: Find Tramway Dr off Hauck Dr in Sharonville; follow park signage to parking area.

When you arrive, the fossil collecting area is located at the city park collecting area on hillside exposures.

What Fossils You’ll Find

Trammel contains Ordovician (Late Ordovician) fossils preserved in limestone and shale.

Bryozoans are the primary fossil assemblage at the site. Brachiopods are also found throughout the collecting area. Crinoids occur less frequently but have been been discovered at Trammel.

Geologic History

Trammel exposes the Corryville Formation, a significant Ordovician (Late Ordovician) geological unit in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Millions of years ago, the area that is now Sharonville, Ohio was a shallow tropical sea. The climate was warm tropical with shallow seas. Ohio was located south of the equator during this period.

As these ancient organisms died, sediments buried and preserved their remains. Over millions of years, geological processes transformed these sediments into the fossil-bearing rocks visible at Trammel today.

How Trammel Became a Fossil Collecting Site

Trammel originally operated as an industrial site where commercial activities exposed fossil-bearing rock layers. Quarrying, mining, or excavation operations removed overlying sediments and revealed ancient deposits that had been buried for millions of years.

After industrial operations ceased, Trammel transitioned to a location where fossil enthusiasts could legally collect specimens. The legacy of this industrial activity created the accessible rock exposures that make fossil collecting possible today. Many of the world’s most productive fossil sites share this history of industrial operations inadvertently revealing paleontological treasures.

Collecting Rules & Regulations

Is Fossil Collecting Allowed?

Fossil collecting is allowed at Trammel. Visitors may keep the fossils they find at this public collecting site.

Key Points:

• No permits or fees required
• Open to all experience levels
• Specimens become property of the collector
• Free access to fossil beds

Tools and Equipment

Recommended Tools:

Fossil collectors should verify which tools are allowed before beginning their search. Some sites provide tools for visitors, while others require collectors to bring their own equipment.

Common Collecting Tools:

• Rock hammers and chisels
• Brushes for cleaning specimens
• Hand screens for processing sediment
• Sturdy containers, bags, or buckets
• Newspaper or bubble wrap for protection
• Spray bottle with water (reveals fossil details)

Safety Guidelines

Essential Safety Guidelines:

Safety should be every collector’s top priority when visiting Trammel.

Personal Protection:

• Wear closed-toe shoes or boots with good traction
• Eye protection is essential when using rock hammers or chisels
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing
• Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated

Site Awareness:

• Supervise children at all times
• Watch for unstable rock faces, deep water, steep slopes
• Be aware of poisonous plants and wildlife
• Let someone know your plans before visiting remote sites
• Never collect alone in isolated areas

Sources

City of Sharonville Parks website; Dry Dredgers documentation with historic photos; Atlas Obscura; Cincinnati Museum Center fossil collecting guide; Spectrum News report 2019; 365Cincinnati blog; Visit Cincy tourism