It is located on the banks of the Ohio River at Clarksville, Indiana, across from Louisville, Kentucky.

The exposed fossil beds of the Jeffersonville Limestone dated from the Devonian period are the main feature of the park, attracting about 160,000 visitors annually.

In 1990, the Indiana state government hired Terry Chase, a well-established exhibit developer, to design the center's displays.

Construction began in September 1992, costing $4.9 million with a total area of 16,000 sq ft (1,500 m2).

Unlike at other Indiana state parks, annual entrance permits do not allow unlimited free access (rather, only five people per pass per visit) to the interpretive center, as fees are still needed to reimburse the town of Clarksville for building the center.