State guide

Waterfalls in Indiana

21 waterfalls across 9 counties, ranked 29th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Ohio River Bluffs, West-Central Hills, and Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best WaterfallsMost Beautiful WaterfallsMust-See Waterfalls

Photo of Upper Cataract Falls in Owen County, Indiana
Pictured: Upper Cataract Falls, IN

Towns

Why Indiana Has So Many Waterfalls

Indiana is not usually thought of as waterfall country, and with 21 named falls in our directory it ranks 29th nationally. The reason is largely glacial. Ice sheets flattened most of the northern and central parts of the state, burying older valleys under thick deposits of till and leaving a gentle landscape where streams have little drop to work with. Falls appear where rivers and creeks have cut down through that cover into layered bedrock, especially limestone and shale, and where a resistant ledge sits above softer rock that erodes back beneath it.

The strongest concentration is along the Ohio River in the southeast. Jefferson County alone holds 12 of the state's named falls, because short, steep tributaries plunge from the upland toward the river through narrow canyons near Madison and Hanover. West-central Indiana adds a few more, including the twin cascades at Cataract Falls on Mill Creek in Owen County. Scattered falls in the Whitewater Valley, near Richmond and along the Wabash complete the list, most of them modest drops that depend on recent rain. Southern Indiana's unglaciated hills, with their sharper relief, hold most of the rest.

Indiana Waterfall Regions

Ohio River Bluffs

13 waterfalls · Jefferson County and Clark County

The canyons above the Ohio River near Madison are the heart of Indiana waterfall country. Clifty Falls State Park protects a deep gorge where Clifty Creek and its tributaries drop over layered limestone and shale, producing Clifty Falls, Tunnel Falls, Horseshoe Falls and several smaller cascades within a few miles. Tunnel Falls takes its name from an unfinished railroad tunnel nearby. Other named falls in Jefferson County sit on similar ravines near Hanover. Downstream at Clarksville, the Falls of the Ohio is a set of river rapids over ancient fossil-rich limestone beds, best known today for the exposed fossil beds visible at low water.

Start with: Falls of the Ohio, Tunnel Falls, Clifty Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Fremont Falls

West-Central Hills

5 waterfalls · Owen County, Putnam County, Parke County, and Martin County

West-central Indiana's falls are wider and lower than the Ohio River cascades but often carry more water. Cataract Falls, with an upper and lower fall on Mill Creek in Owen County, is the state's most reviewed waterfall, set in a recreation area with a historic covered bridge. Putnam County, around Cloverdale and Greencastle, holds another, and Parke County, known for its covered bridges and sandstone ravines, adds one more. To the south, Hindostan Falls in Martin County is a broad, low ledge across the East Fork of the White River near Shoals, popular with anglers and once the site of an early settlement.

Start with: Upper Cataract Falls, Lower Cataract Falls, Hindostan Falls, Groundhog Falls, Vermillion Falls

Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley

3 waterfalls · Franklin County, Wayne County, and Wabash County

A few small falls are scattered across eastern and northern Indiana. Derbyshire Falls in Franklin County lies in the Whitewater Valley near Brookville, where the river has cut into the till plain. Elkhorn Falls lies near Richmond in Wayne County, and Shanty Falls is in Wabash County near the city of Wabash. These are modest features that can be impressive after heavy rain and nearly dry in late summer. Review ratings for this group are mixed, and access details, including parking and private property boundaries, are worth checking locally before a visit.

Start with: Elkhorn Falls, Shanty Falls, Derbyshire Falls

All 21 Waterfalls in Indiana

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Upper Cataract Falls

    Cloverdale, IN · Owen County
    4.8 (313 reviews)

    Scenic waterfall & recreation area with a covered bridge, picnic facilities & a playground.

    Rating
    4.8 (313 Google reviews)
    Address
    Jennings Township, IN 47460
    Nearest town
    Cloverdale, IN (5.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cataract quad
    View details Directions

  2. Lower Cataract Falls

    Cloverdale, IN · Owen County
    4.7 (296 reviews)

    Lower Cataract Falls is a waterfall in Owen County, Indiana, about 5.2 miles south of Cloverdale. It appears on the USGS Cataract topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (296 Google reviews)
    Address
    Jennings Township, IN 47460
    Nearest town
    Cloverdale, IN (5.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cataract quad
    View details Directions

  3. Hindostan Falls

    Shoals, IN · Martin County
    4.5 (51 reviews)

    Hindostan Falls is a waterfall in Martin County, Indiana, about 4.4 miles southwest of Shoals. It appears on the USGS Rusk topographic map.

    Rating
    4.5 (51 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rutherford Township, IN 47581
    Known for
    peaceful atmosphere, river, water levels, scenery, area
    Nearest town
    Shoals, IN (4.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Rusk quad
    View details Directions

  4. Falls of the Ohio

    Jeffersonville, IN · Clark County
    4.7 (19 reviews)

    Falls of the Ohio is a waterfall in Clark County, Indiana, about 0.9 miles southwest of Jeffersonville. It appears on the USGS New Albany topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (19 Google reviews)
    Address
    Clarksville, IN 47129
    Known for
    river
    Nearest town
    Jeffersonville, IN (0.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    New Albany quad
    View details Directions

  5. Tunnel Falls

    North Madison, IN · Jefferson County
    4.7 (18 reviews)

    Set near an old railroad tunnel, this waterfall cascades over a limestone ledge into a canyon.

    Rating
    4.7 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Madison Township, IN 47250
    Nearest town
    North Madison, IN (1.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clifty Falls quad
    View details Directions

  6. Clifty Falls

    North Madison, IN · Jefferson County
    4.6 (11 reviews)

    Clifty Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 2.1 miles west of North Madison. It appears on the USGS Clifty Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (11 Google reviews)
    Address
    Madison Township, IN 47250
    Nearest town
    North Madison, IN (2.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clifty Falls quad
    View details Directions

  7. Elkhorn Falls

    Richmond, IN · Wayne County
    2.5 (25 reviews)

    Elkhorn Falls is a waterfall in Wayne County, Indiana, about 3.7 miles south of Richmond. It appears on the USGS New Paris topographic map.

    Rating
    2.5 (25 Google reviews)
    Address
    Boston Township, IN 47374
    Known for
    view from the road, private property, trip, waterways, public
    Nearest town
    Richmond, IN (3.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    New Paris quad
    View details Directions

  8. Crowe Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    4.2 (5 reviews)

    Crowe Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 0.6 miles southeast of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (0.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  9. Groundhog Falls

    Greencastle, IN · Parke County
    4.2 (5 reviews)

    Groundhog Falls is a waterfall in Parke County, Indiana, about 8.8 miles west of Greencastle. It appears on the USGS Mansfield topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Jackson Township, IN 47834
    Nearest town
    Greencastle, IN (8.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mansfield quad
    View details Directions

  10. Wallace Falls

    North Madison, IN · Jefferson County
    4.2 (5 reviews)

    Wallace Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 2.1 miles west of North Madison. It appears on the USGS Clifty Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Madison Township, IN 47250
    Nearest town
    North Madison, IN (2.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clifty Falls quad
    View details Directions

  11. Horseshoe Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    3.6 (7 reviews)

    Horseshoe Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 1.1 miles northeast of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    3.6 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (1.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  12. Hoffman Falls

    North Madison, IN · Jefferson County
    3.8 (5 reviews)

    78-ft.-high waterfall at Clifty Falls State Park, with a picturesque cascade over a limestone ledge.

    Rating
    3.8 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Madison Township, IN 47250
    Nearest town
    North Madison, IN (1.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clifty Falls quad
    View details Directions

  13. Little Clifty Falls

    North Madison, IN · Jefferson County
    4.7 (3 reviews)

    60-ft. cascading waterfall reachable from a 1.25-mile trail through tranquil, forested terrain.

    Rating
    4.7 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Madison Township, IN 47250
    Nearest town
    North Madison, IN (2.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clifty Falls quad
    View details Directions

  14. Butler Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    3.3 (4 reviews)

    Butler Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 0.7 miles south of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    3.3 (4 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (0.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  15. Fremont Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    3.0 (6 reviews)

    Fremont Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 1.4 miles south of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    3.0 (6 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (1.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  16. Deadman Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Deadman Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 1.0 miles northeast of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (1.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  17. Shanty Falls

    Wabash, IN · Wabash County
    2.7 (7 reviews)

    Shanty Falls is a waterfall in Wabash County, Indiana, about 2.3 miles west of Wabash. It appears on the USGS Wabash topographic map.

    Rating
    2.7 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Noble Township, IN 46992
    Nearest town
    Wabash, IN (2.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Wabash quad
    View details Directions

  18. Derbyshire Falls

    Brookville, IN · Franklin County
    2.3 (7 reviews)

    Derbyshire Falls is a waterfall in Franklin County, Indiana, about 12 miles west of Brookville. It appears on the USGS Metamora topographic map.

    Rating
    2.3 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Laurel Township, IN 47024
    Nearest town
    Brookville, IN (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Metamora quad
    View details Directions

  19. Chain Mill Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Chain Mill Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 1.4 miles south of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hanover Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (1.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

  20. Vermillion Falls

    Greencastle, IN · Putnam County
    1.0 (3 reviews)

    Vermillion Falls is a waterfall in Putnam County, Indiana, about 4.5 miles northwest of Greencastle. It appears on the USGS Clinton Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    1.0 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Clinton Township, IN 46135
    Nearest town
    Greencastle, IN (4.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Clinton Falls quad
    View details Directions

  21. Harts Falls

    Hanover, IN · Jefferson County
    1.0 (1 reviews)

    Harts Falls is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Indiana, about 2.7 miles south of Hanover. It appears on the USGS Madison West topographic map.

    Rating
    1.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Saluda Township, IN 47243
    Nearest town
    Hanover, IN (2.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Madison West quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Indiana

  1. Upper Cataract Falls 4.8 from 313 reviews · Cloverdale
  2. Lower Cataract Falls 4.7 from 296 reviews · Cloverdale
  3. Hindostan Falls 4.5 from 51 reviews · Shoals
  4. Elkhorn Falls 2.5 from 25 reviews · Richmond

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

Indiana Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Indiana are about 174 miles apart.

Names and History

1 waterfall has alternate historical names on record, such as Harts Falls (also Hart's Falls).

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Indiana

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Indiana

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Indiana Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Jefferson1257%Tunnel Falls
Owen210%Upper Cataract Falls
Clark15%Falls of the Ohio
Franklin15%Derbyshire Falls
Martin15%Hindostan Falls
Parke15%Groundhog Falls
Putnam15%Vermillion Falls
Wabash15%Shanty Falls
Wayne15%Elkhorn Falls

All Indiana Waterfalls A to Z

Indiana Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Indiana?

Our directory lists 21 waterfalls in Indiana, all officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, 29th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 0.8% of the national total. 71% of them are in just three counties: Jefferson, Owen, and Clark.

What is the most visited waterfall in Indiana?

By Google review count, Upper Cataract Falls in Owen County leads with 313 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Lower Cataract Falls is next.

Where are the best waterfalls in Indiana?

Clifty Falls State Park near Madison has the greatest concentration, with several named falls in one canyon system, and Cataract Falls in Owen County is the most reviewed single site in our directory. Both are best after rain.

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.

Which Indiana town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Hanover has 13 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Indiana directory.