15 Amazing Waterfalls in Indiana

Indiana offers small mountainous landscapes featuring plenty of cliffs to form waterfalls.

While there are more than 22 different falls throughout the state, we’ve whittled it down to the top 15 that you should try to visit if you’re in the region.

Every waterfall is unique, and whether they were created by mother nature or humankind, they will take your breath away.

1. Big Clifty Falls

Big Clifty Falls is one of four waterfalls in the Clifty Falls State Park in Indiana.

The hike is a 3.4-mile round trip along a looped path.

The walk is downhill, with a 280-foot elevation loss.

Hikers can bring their dogs along to enjoy mother nature at her finest.

Big Clifty Falls is 60-feet of cascading, rolling water that drops down stair-like rock formations.

There are other falls on this trail – listed below – but Clifty Falls is the first you will reach on your hike.

2. Little Clifty Falls

Little Clifty Falls, Indiana — Little Clifty Falls

At 60 feet high, Little Clifty Falls isn’t actually so little. It also lies within the boundaries of Clifty Falls State Park.

The trail is the same one taken to reach Bif Clifty Falls, but it is worth continuing on to see the second cascade.

Little Clifty Falls plunges down the mountainside rather than cascading.

In winter, both falls can appear to be a solid sheet of white, offering a new and magnificent view.

3. Hoffman and Tunnel Falls

Hoffman and Tunnel Falls are part of Clifty Falls State Park and the 3.4-mile hike mentioned above.

To take the loop, hikers need to pick up trail 5, which leads from Little Clifty Falls to Tunnel and then Hoffman Falls.

Tunnel Falls is exquisite and named so because of the old railroad tunnel in the area.

Along trail 5, you’ll find wooden steps that are hidden by boulders.

The steps lead into a small cave, known as Brough’s Folly.

The cave was left unfinished, but it does lead out to Tunnel Falls, which is 83 feet high, making it the tallest waterfall in the park.

Hoffman Falls is 78 feet, tumbling down the rocky hillside made of limestone.

Hikers can walk to the ground below the falls for a splendid view.

4. Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls are part of Lieber State Recreation Area.

The falls source is Mill Creek, and it has the highest volume of water flowing through, although it is not the tallest cascade.

Cataract has an upper and lower waterfall.

The upper is 30 feet, while the lower is about 15 feet.

Visitors will need to pay an entrance fee to enter the park and then it is a short hike across the bridge that spans Mill Creek to get to the waterfalls.

The falls are about a mile apart.

The falls create a stepping stone effect with giant boulders.

For most people, the lower falls are known as the Cataract Cascades.

Mill Creek, which is downstream from lower Cataract Falls, flows into Cagles Mill Lake.

Visitors can reach the falls from the nearby towns of Cunot or Cataract, off State Road 243.

5. France Park Falls

France Park Falls is, not surprisingly, is in France Park.

The county park is in Cass County, near Logansport, Indiana.

The park was built around an old rock quarry.

It is unknown if the waterfall was already in the park or if the tunnels created by mining for rock caused the flow of the river to change.

The creek tunnels underneath the ground, coming out 15 feet above a pool.

While at the park, visitors can enjoy 5 to 7 miles of trails, as well as camping and fishing – there is even a disc golf course.

Swimming is not available at the waterfall, but the lake provides ample water activities for the whole family.

6. Muscatatuck Falls

Muscatatuck Falls is part of Muscatatuck Park in Jennings County.

The falls are fed by Muscatatuck River and hikers can go along the river trail which begins at Vinegar Mill.

The first falls you will reach are known as Canyon Creek falls; these offer a wide expanse, with stepping-stones that create a stair-style waterfall.

Muscatatuck Falls are a plunge style, fed by a limestone spring.

Muscatatuck Falls is about two miles along the river trail.

To hike the trail, head to North Vernon, Indiana.

7. Silver Cascades

Silver Cascades, Indiana — Silver Cascades

Silver Cascades are part of Shades State Park.

The state park has two notable falls – including Silver Cascades, which are found along Sugar Creek.

In the middle of Sugar Creek, not far from Silver Cascades, lies the cute little Canoe Island.

The trail system in the park is interconnected, with various parking areas and trailheads available.

Visitors can take trail one to visit these falls or trail two to see Maidenhair Falls.

Other notable sites at the park inclde Lover’s Leap and the Devils Punch Bowl.

Parking is close to trail 1, making it a short and enjoyable hike to the cascades.

8. Salamonie River Falls

Salamonie River Falls are in Salamonie River State Forest.

The park was established to reclaim eroded land in the 1930’s.

The forest is also part of a recreation area and stone quarry.

Lying within the confines is Hominy Ridge Lake, plus a stone shelter house.

Visitors can explore over 850 acres of land or simply travel 3 Falls Trail to Salamonie River Falls.

Visitors will see more cascades along the path; however, Salamonie is the most notable.

Be aware that there is an abundance of wildlife in the park, and take care accordingly.

Skiing is permitted in winter, but the falls are the most beautiful after the snow melts.

9. McCormick Creek Falls

McCormick Creek Falls lie along McCormick Creek.

Hikers can take Trail 3 from Saddle Barn to hike up to the falls.

Part of the adventure is being able to see the famous St.

Louis Limestone – which is what the rock is called around the falls and river.

Parking is available at the trailhead but there are limited spots, so getting to the area early is best.

To find the falls, visit McCormick Creek State Park.

The state park was founded in 1916, making it over a hundred years old.

10. Kokiwanee Falls

Kokiwanee Falls is part of the Kokiwanee Nature Preserve, set up by a land trust.

The park is in Wabash Country and spreads over 139.5 acres.

The trail length, which includes the waterfall, is 4.6 miles.

Given the rocky terrain, it is considered an incredibly difficult trail.

The Salamonie River feeds the waterfall.

It is possible to see ducks, blue herons, and bald eagles inside the preserve, particularly around the streams and river.

11. Hemlock Cliffs Waterfalls

Hemlock Cliffs are in southern Indiana.

The surrounding area is made of sandstone and a canyon, with plenty of natural trees and plants to give it a magnificent setting.

The cliffs form the waterfall, which plunges into the river below.

The path leads you around one mile to the falls, and you can take the loop route back to the parking area.

12. Williamsport Falls

Williamsport Falls is the second highest waterfall in the state – located close to Williamsport.

It plunges 90 feet down and is part of the Fall Creek Branch.

The water flow is not significant – meaning it can be dry throughout the year – but is impressive after snowmelt.

Fall Creek runs through town before heading out towards the old railroad construction area.

With the changing weather and landscape, the falls are not as reliable as in the 19th century.

13. Deadman Falls

Deadman Falls is another sporadic waterfall and is located in Hanover, Indiana.

It is sourced from Deadman Creek and is about 30 feet high.

The land belongs to the local college and is easily accessed by a path from the campus into the neighboring woods.

The water flows through a gorge, which also contains more than one waterfall along the hike.

Butler Falls Chain Mills Falls, and Fremont Falls can be found along the same river and gorge area, making it possible to enjoy plenty of river beauty on a break from studying.

Hikers have found fossils in the gorge.

14. Rock Rest Falls

Rock Rest Falls are found near Jennings County, Indiana.

The waterfall plunges into a rocky area below, but the height and source are unknown.

It is a fairly popular location close to Jennings, so will be easy to find for those who ask around.

The falls are part of the Calli Nature Preserve.

15. Anderson Falls

Anderson Falls, Indiana — Anderson Falls

Anderson Falls is in Anderson Falls Park State Nature Preserve.

The falls are part of Clifty Creek, on the fall fork.

The park is a short distance from Columbus, found in Bartholomew County, just outside of Newbern.

The cascades are diminutive at a little over ten feet in height.

Since the waterfall is alongside the road, it is easy to park nearby and only a short walk to view them.