5 Must-See Waterfalls in Indiana (2026)
If you only have time for five Indiana waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the West-Central Hills and Ohio River Bluffs.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Indiana waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. 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 a must-see
With 313 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Indiana, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Scenic waterfall & recreation area with a covered bridge, picnic facilities & a playground." 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Lower Cataract Falls. 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. Hindostan Falls
Shoals, IN · Martin County · West-Central Hills
Why it is a must-see
With 51 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Indiana, and it holds 4.5 stars. Expect peaceful atmosphere, river, and water levels, the topics reviewers bring up most. 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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3. Falls of the Ohio
Jeffersonville, IN · Clark County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is a must-see
With 19 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Indiana, and it holds 4.7 stars. Expect river, the topics reviewers bring up most. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Falls of the Ohio. 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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4. Tunnel Falls
North Madison, IN · Jefferson County · Ohio River Bluffs
Why it is a must-see
With 18 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Indiana, and it holds 4.7 stars. In short: "Set near an old railroad tunnel, this waterfall cascades over a limestone ledge into a canyon." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Wallace Falls and Little Clifty Falls. 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. Groundhog Falls
Greencastle, IN · Parke County · West-Central Hills
Why it is a must-see
With 5 Google reviews it is the 12th most visited waterfall in Indiana, and it holds 4.2 stars. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Vermillion Falls. 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.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 178 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Groundhog Falls (start, near Greencastle)
- Upper Cataract Falls, about 20 mi southeast
- Hindostan Falls, about 56 mi south
- Falls of the Ohio, about 64 mi east
- Tunnel Falls, about 38 mi northeast
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, Shoals, Jeffersonville, North Madison, Greencastle.
More Indiana Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see 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?
These are the five most visited Indiana waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 178 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.