10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Indiana (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Indiana's 21 named waterfalls, starting with Upper Cataract Falls. The list spans the West-Central Hills and Ohio River Bluffs.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 11 publicly accessible Indiana waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Upper Cataract Falls
Cloverdale, IN · Owen County · West-Central Hills
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 893 photos of it on Google, about 2.9 for every review. 82% of its 313 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic waterfall & recreation area with a covered bridge, picnic facilities & a playground." It is one of 5 named falls in the West-Central Hills region. The nearest town is Cloverdale, about 5.6 miles to the north.
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2. Lower Cataract Falls
Cloverdale, IN · Owen County · West-Central Hills
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 538 photos of it on Google. 82% of its 296 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). It is one of 5 named falls in the West-Central Hills region. The nearest town is Cloverdale, about 5.2 miles to the north.
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3. Hindostan Falls
Shoals, IN · Martin County · West-Central Hills
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 79 photos of it on Google. 75% of its 51 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Reviewers single out its scenery. It is one of 5 named falls in the West-Central Hills region. The nearest town is Shoals, about 4.4 miles to the northeast.
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4. Tunnel Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 20 photos of it on Google. 83% of its 18 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Set near an old railroad tunnel, this waterfall cascades over a limestone ledge into a canyon." The setting includes Hanging Rock (cliff, 2.0 mi). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is North Madison, about 1.8 miles to the east.
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5. Crowe Falls
Hanover, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 64 photos of it on Google, about 13 for every review. 80% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (4.2 average). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is Hanover, about 0.6 miles to the northwest.
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6. Falls of the Ohio
Jeffersonville, IN · Clark County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 21 photos of it on Google. 89% of its 19 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is Jeffersonville, about 0.9 miles to the northeast.
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7. Clifty Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 16 photos of it on Google. 82% of its 11 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is North Madison, about 2.1 miles to the east.
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8. Hoffman Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 10 photos of it on Google, about 2.0 for every review. 20% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (3.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "78-ft.-high waterfall at Clifty Falls State Park, with a picturesque cascade over a limestone ledge." The setting includes Hanging Rock (cliff, 1.6 mi). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is North Madison, about 1.7 miles to the northeast.
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9. Groundhog Falls
Greencastle, IN · Parke County · West-Central Hills
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 6 photos of it on Google. 80% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (4.2 average). It is one of 5 named falls in the West-Central Hills region. The nearest town is Greencastle, about 8.8 miles to the east.
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10. Wallace Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 4 photos of it on Google. 80% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (4.2 average). It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. The nearest town is North Madison, about 2.1 miles to the east.
When to Visit Indiana's Waterfalls
Indiana's falls are rain-driven, so timing matters a great deal. Late winter and spring, roughly March through May, usually bring the most reliable flow, when soils are saturated and storms are frequent. The Clifty Falls canyons in particular can run dramatically after spring rains yet slow to a trickle or dry rock faces in late summer and early autumn. Cataract Falls, on a larger stream, holds water better through the year. A day or two after a soaking rain is the best window in any season. Autumn color in the southern Indiana hills peaks around mid to late October. Hard freezes occasionally produce ice formations in Clifty's ravines, though footing then becomes dangerous.
Before You Go
Most of Indiana's notable falls are on public land managed by the Department of Natural Resources, including state parks, state recreation areas and fish and wildlife areas, while a few smaller falls sit near roads or on private land where access may not be permitted. State parks charge entrance fees and post their own trail rules. In the Clifty Falls canyons, trails follow rocky creek beds and include steep stairs, rock hopping and stream crossings, and several routes are notably rugged. Wet shale and limestone are extremely slippery, and loose rock falls from canyon walls. Climbing on the falls and cliff edges is unsafe. Creek beds can flood quickly in heavy storms, so avoid gorge trails during downpours.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Indiana Waterfalls
See all 21 waterfalls in the Indiana waterfall guide, or browse by town: Cloverdale, Shoals, North Madison, Hanover, Jeffersonville, Greencastle.
More Indiana Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Indiana?
Upper Cataract Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 313 Google reviews. It is near Cloverdale in Owen County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 11 publicly accessible Indiana waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in Indiana?
Our directory lists 21 named waterfalls in Indiana. See them all, sorted by town, in the Indiana waterfall guide.
Why do Clifty Falls sometimes have no water?
The creeks that feed them drain small, steep watersheds, so flow drops quickly during dry weather. In late summer and early autumn the falls can be reduced to wet rock faces until rain returns.