Waterfalls in Indiana
10
Indiana does not come to mind when thinking of states with great waterfalls, but there are some real big ones here. I've only been to a few waterfalls in the state as of now, but I plan to visit more. Clifty Falls State Park is one of my favorite parks I've ever visited anywhere, and it is here in Indiana.
Northern Indiana
Williamsport Falls 55'
Description: Williamsport Falls is a tall and wild looking waterfall found in a setting that is quite the contrary. It is right in the middle of the small town from which it gets its name, and a town park surrounds the falls. It's still a worthwhile visit, and finding a waterfall this tall in an area dominated by farmland is quite striking. The falls are widely regarded as the tallest waterfall in Indiana at 90 feet, but one of the first things I thought when I saw the falls myself was: "It can't be that tall!", and sure enough, the WWD concluded that the drop is only 55 feet, confirmed by lidar. This seems much more accurate, but has little effect on its beauty.
Hiking Description: Follow the signs for the falls and park here: (40.286383, -87.293045). From this spot, you can see the top of the falls, and a wide gravel trail heads into the woods to a wooden observation deck. Keep going, downhil now, to the second wooden deck, where there is a great view of the falls. This is all real easy to get to, but if you want to get to the base, you'll have to work a little harder. From the second deck, locate a steep and slippery trail headed down the rest of the hill towards creek level. There are trees and large roots to hang onto on your way down. Once at creek level, you should be near the greatest view of the falls (pictured). I was here after an inch of rain, and the falls was roaring! I was quite surprised at just how high the water was, as Fall Branch is a very small stream that will dry up sometimes. If you stick very near to the creek, you can climb around some boulders to get to the large alcove behind the falls. There's a lot of mist back there, but it's another fabulous view. I spent a good deal of time looking up at the falls from back there.
Total Mileage: 0.1 total to upper overlook, 0.2 total to base of falls
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy) to upper overlook, 7/10 (Moderately Difficult) to base of falls
Date First Visited: March 11, 2026
Date Last Visited: March 11, 2026
Rank: A+
Cataract Falls (2) ~35'/~20'
Description: There are actually two waterfalls here, the upper and lower. They are both impressive, and both are easy to get to. A fee is required to enter the park. Coordinates for upper falls parking lot: (39.434171, -86.813937), and lower falls: (39.442410, -86.821718).
Hiking Description: For the upper falls, head out to the east and the falls are within 100 feet. Great views here, and some additional, but obscured views can be found a short distance down the river trail going north. For the lower falls, head down the open trail down a small hill to the river. The falls will be found within 200 feet.
Total Mileage: Minimal
Difficulty: 1/10 (Very Easy)
Date First Visited: September 22, 2021
Date Last Visited: September 22, 2021
Rank: A-
Upper Falls
Lower Falls
McCormick's Creek Falls 12'
Description: McCormick's Creek Falls is a lovely waterfall that is easy to get to. The whole state park is very scenic, really.
Hiking Description: Start at the parking lot across from the Canyon Inn, located here: (39.290066, -86.724790). Pick up Trail 3 headed east. After just over a tenth of a mile, you will reach a T intersection. Turn right. The creek will be down to your left now, and after just a minute or two, you will come to an overlook of the falls. The view is good from here, but there are more views if you take the stone staircase down to creek level. It's about 50 stairs.
Total Mileage: 0.3 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: September 22, 2021
Date Last Visited: September 22, 2021
Rank: A
Southern Indiana
Anderson Falls 12'
Description: Anderson Falls is a beautiful roadside waterfall that feels like it shouldn't be there. As you're driving to it, you will be driving through flat farmland, and even as you turn on to the road the falls are on, it's still flat, and only then are there any trees present. Even still, this is a great waterfall worth visiting.
Hiking Description: Roadside aceess for great views!
Total Mileage: N/A
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: October 30, 2020
Date Last Visited: October 30, 2020
Rank: A
Clifty Falls State Park (5+) 75'/78'/83'/60'/70'
#7
Description: Clifty Falls State Park is a waterfall paradise. If you come here after a lot of rain (recommended), you're in for quite the treat. There are at least five major waterfalls here, with countless cascades to be found if you hike farther down the many trails. I've been to the highlights, and I'll show you the best way to get there too. There are four different parking areas used to see these five falls. The falls are listed from south to north. The heights listed are listed likewise.
Redbud Falls:
This is the first waterfall you will come to from the south, and is the only roadside falls. It will be on your right, and you can park here: (38.747786, -85.412179). Not much parking here, but you can squeeze in. The falls is very low volume, so come after a heavy rain.
Total Milage: N/A
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
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Hoffman Falls:
The second waterfall north is Hoffman Falls. This is a tall waterfall, but it is obscured by trees. You can still see some of it, and it's right off the road. Park here: (38.753483, -85.422692). Head out on the trail in front of the parking lot, and you will come to the overlook for the falls within a few hundred feet. Easy access.
Total Milage: 0.1 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
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Tunnel Falls:
Tunnel Falls is the third major waterfall, and my second favorite, after only Big Clifty. There is a perfect trailside view, and it's quite spectacular. Start here: (38.760741, -85.427664). Head out on the trail and you will come to the falls within five minutes. It's not far, but there are a fair amount of stairs (roughly 50).
Total Milage: 0.2 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
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Little Clifty Falls and Big Clifty Falls:
These two falls are accessed from the same parking lot here: (38.767814, -85.436411). Begin walking southward, past the restrooms and the sign for Clifty Falls. The trail is easy. Shortly, you will be greeted with various fantastic views of Big Clifty Falls. You are above the falls here, and this is the only place where views are not obscured (except from the base; more on that later). Continuing on the trail, the sidewalk will end and it will become more rugged. A staircase will take you down a small bluff, and then it will return to boardwalk. You will then come to a three-way intersection. You can go left or straight. Go straigh first. This trail goes down some stairs and wraps around the bluffline to the final view of Big Clifty. It's obscured by trees here, but still worth a look. Back to the split, head down the other trail now. It will be going downhill, and once you meet a large staircase, you are near Little Clifty Falls. You may be able to see it through the trees. If you go down this staircase, it will end at a bridge over the creek. There is a nice cascade upstream, and you are just a few feet from the precipice of the big falls. If you continue on a short distance, there are some more obscured views. One major point of note that I haven't mentioned here is the imfamous Trail 2. The name is boring, but the trail is something legendary. It follows Clifty Creek for two miles to the base of Big Clifty Falls. You have to creek-walk almost the whole way, and it can be pretty difficult from what I've heard. Someday, I plan to try this...
Total Milage: 0.4 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy) to Big Clifty Falls Overlooks; 3/10 (Easy) to Little Clifty Falls
Date First Visited: October 29, 2020
Date Last Visited: October 29, 2020
Rank: A++
All photos taken during high water
Redbud Falls
Hoffman Falls
Tunnel Falls
Little Clifty Falls
