14 Best Waterfalls in Indiana (2026 Updated)
Of the 21 named waterfalls in Indiana, these 14 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Upper Cataract Falls, Lower Cataract Falls, and Falls of the Ohio. The list spans the West-Central Hills, Ohio River Bluffs, and Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley.
How We Picked
We ranked the 14 publicly accessible Indiana waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. 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 made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Indiana, holding 4.8 stars across 313 Google reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up 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. Lower Cataract Falls is only 0.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. 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 made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 296 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 5 named falls in the West-Central Hills region. Upper Cataract Falls is only 0.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Cloverdale, about 5.2 miles to the north.
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3. Falls of the Ohio
Jeffersonville, IN · Clark County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 19 reviews. Reviews most often mention river. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Falls of the Ohio is only 0.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Jeffersonville, about 0.9 miles to the northeast.
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4. Tunnel Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 18 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "Set near an old railroad tunnel, this waterfall cascades over a limestone ledge into a canyon." It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Wallace Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Madison, about 1.8 miles to the east.
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5. Clifty Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 11 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Little Clifty Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Madison, about 2.1 miles to the east.
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6. Crowe Falls
Hanover, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.2 stars across 5 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Butler Falls is only 0.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Hanover, about 0.6 miles to the northwest.
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7. Groundhog Falls
Greencastle, IN · Parke County · West-Central Hills
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.2 stars across 5 reviews. 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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8. Wallace Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.2 stars across 5 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Tunnel Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Madison, about 2.1 miles to the east.
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9. Hindostan Falls
Shoals, IN · Martin County · West-Central Hills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.5-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 51 reviews. 75% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention peaceful atmosphere, river, water levels, and 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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10. Hoffman Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 3.8 stars across 5 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "78-ft.-high waterfall at Clifty Falls State Park, with a picturesque cascade over a limestone ledge." It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Tunnel Falls is only 0.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Madison, about 1.7 miles to the northeast.
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11. Horseshoe Falls
Hanover, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.6-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 7 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Deadman Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Hanover, about 1.1 miles to the southwest.
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12. Fremont Falls
Hanover, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Pictured: nearby Butler Falls (0.7 mi) Why it made the list
It holds a 3.0-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 6 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Ohio River Bluffs region. Chain Mill Falls is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Hanover, about 1.4 miles to the north.
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13. Shanty Falls
Wabash, IN · Wabash County · Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 2.7-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 7 reviews. It is one of 3 named falls in the Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley region. The nearest town is Wabash, about 2.3 miles to the east.
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14. Derbyshire Falls
Brookville, IN · Franklin County · Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 2.3-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 7 reviews. It is one of 3 named falls in the Eastern Indiana and the Wabash Valley region. The nearest town is Brookville, about 12 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.
Explore More Indiana Waterfalls
See all 21 waterfalls in the Indiana waterfall guide, or browse by town: Cloverdale, Jeffersonville, North Madison, Hanover, Greencastle, Shoals, Wabash, Brookville.
More Indiana Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 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?
We ranked the 14 publicly accessible Indiana waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
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.
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.