The Hoosier State is known for its car races, friendly faces, and its love of basketball — but it should also be on the map if you’re looking for some of the best waterfalls in the midwest. From north to south, Indiana has plenty of incredible cascades to explore, if you only know where to look… and we’re here to help you find them.
The Top 10 Waterfalls in Indiana
Visiting Waterfalls in Indiana
Salamonie River Falls
Tucked into the landscape known as Salamonie River State Park, Salamonie River Falls is a beautifully flowing cascade. The surrounding lands were first preserved back in the 1930s; the eroded land was continuing to dissolve, leading to the decision to set the park aside for posterity.
Along with the waterfall itself, this beautiful wilderness also offers several hiking trails, a fishing hole, and a lakeside pavilion perfect for picnics and gatherings. These 850 acres of land also include an old stone quarry amongst the lush green trees that characterize the landscape.
Things to do near Salamonie River Falls
Only a short drive from the smaller town of Wabash and a slightly longer drive from the metropolitan center of Fort Wayne, Salamonie Falls is an easy waterfall to get to for a wide range of Indiana residents and visitors.
Kokiwanee Falls
Just across the way from Salamonie Falls, on the other side of the Salamonie River, Kokiwanee Falls awaits in the land trust of the same name. This waterfall is also fed by the Salamonie River, as are its nearby cousins, and the nature preserve that contains them offers several different hiking trails for visitors of a wide range of ability and fitness levels.
The trail to the waterfall specifically is considered moderate in difficulty level, and traverses about a mile and a half round trip, seeing approximately 120 feet in elevation gain along the way. While it’s by no means super steep, you’ll definitely have a few little climbs to contend with, so wear good shoes.
Things to do near Kokiwanee Falls
Once again, this gorgeous forest gem is located only about an hour outside of Fort Wayne, which is home to an excellent children’s zoo, art museum, and botanical conservatory (among so many other things to see and do).
France Park Waterfall
As its name suggests, this scenic waterfall is tucked into France Park, which is located on the north side of the Wabash River just outside of the town of Logansport in north-central Indiana. The waterfall is robust and lovely, toppling over the carved rock face behind it in the midst of a stunning landscape that was historically used as a rock quarry.
Although not the largest park in the state, this preserved wilderness offers about seven miles of hiking trails, and also has a disc golf course for those looking to throw a round or two. You can’t swim at the waterfall proper, but a nearby lake offers plenty of opportunities to get your feet wet.
Things to do near the France Park Waterfall
France Park isn’t very far afield from other preserved wildernesses worth seeing, such as Tippecanoe River State Park or the Salomie State Park Recreation Site (which we just mentioned above). The town of Logansport has everything you need to craft a killer vacation.
Cataract Falls
Short but broad, multi-tiered and absolutely breathtaking, Cataract Falls is tucked inside the Cataract Falls State Recreation Area. It is separated out into Upper and Lower sections. They all tumble along Mill Creek, surrounded by dense vegetation that displays beautiful changing colors come autumn, and have some of the highest water flow volumes of any waterfall in Indiana despite their short stature. (The Upper Falls are 30 feet tall, whereas the Lower Falls are only about 15).
The park does charge an entry fee, so prepare for that when you enter, and the falls are about a mile apart from each other. Some locals know the Upper Falls as Cataract Falls and the Lower Falls as Cataract Cascades — but no matter what you call them, they’re plain old beautiful.
Things to do near Cataract Falls
There is a very small nearby unincorporated community called Cataract, but all of this beauty is also only an hour away from Indianapolis (pending traffic, of course). So whether you’re looking for a small-town vibe or a big city adventure, this part of the state has you covered.
Rock Rest Falls
Nestled into the Cali Nature Preserve just north of the southeastern Indiana town of Vernon, Rock Rest Falls tumbles over an idyllic rock ledge into a swirling pool below, offering one of the most serene scenes in the entire state.
The fall can be viewed from both above and below. It is a favorite hidden gem amongst locals, who may or may not be willing to tell you how to find them. (Fortunately, Google knows just where they’re located.)
Things to do near Rock Rest Falls
There are many beautiful natural landscapes in this area to explore, such as nearby Muscatatuck Park or the Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area and Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge just a little further out.
McCormick’s Creek Falls
Given its beauty, it’s no surprise that McCormick’s Creek Falls is preserved and set apart by McCormick’s Creek State Park.
The park offers many incredible hiking trails to wander down, but none as beautiful or impressive as the one that ends at the foot of this cascade. Running just over four miles all told and and seeing a little under 400 feet in elevation gain along the way, the trail is considered moderate, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are also welcome.
The park also features a Tesla charging station, an on-site inn, developed restrooms with showers, and, of course, a whole lot of beautiful scenery.
Things to do near McCormick’s Creek Falls
Just outside of the small town of Spencer and not far at all from the larger population center of Bloomington, McCormick’s Creek Falls is relatively easy for a wide range of Indiana residents and visitors. There are plenty of other preserved wildernesses interspersed across this area, such as the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Owen-Putnam State Forest.
The Best Indiana Waterfalls for RVers
Silver Cascades
Shades State Park is another gorgeous preserved Indiana wilderness with plenty of beautiful sights and sounds to offer. Silver Cascades is the crowning jewel of this 3,000-acre preserve.
Jetting strongly over the rock ledge behind it, which has been gracefully carved by the water and weather over time, Silver Cascades is found along Sugar Creek. The creek does also boast another beautiful waterfall, Maidenhair Falls, further down its length. The park has plenty of other noteworthy sights too, including Lover’s Leap, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Canoe Island.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
RV camping is available in the state park, making this a great escape for RV campers. Drinking water and a dump station are available onsite, but electricity is not available at the campsites, so come prepared.
Things to do near Silver Cascades
Shades State Park — and therefore Silver Cascades — is tucked into the western reaches of central Indiana, not too far from the Illinois border. This area offers other preserved wildernesses to explore, such as Turkey Run State Park and Lake Waveland. It’s also just over an hour’s drive from Indianapolis, the biggest city in the state.
Big Clifty Falls
If there’s a landscape in Indiana known for its waterfalls, it’s Clifty Falls State Park — and indeed, the rest of the falls on our list are all tucked away into this beautiful preserve.
Standing a total of 60 or so feet tall, and tumbling down a staircase-like rock ledge before making one giant drop at the bottom, Big Clifty Falls is indeed one of the most impressive in the park. It can be accessed by a variety of hiking trails, all of which feature a decent amount of elevation change — so make sure you’re up for it!
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
We love that Clifty Falls State Park offers onsite camping. There are electric sites available, but primitive options are also available for those who prefer to rough it.
Things to do near Big Clifty Falls
Located just on the north side of the Ohio River, Clifty Falls State Park is only minutes from the Kentucky border, about an hour away from Louisville. It’s also just south of Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, so there’s plenty more to explore.
Little Clifty Falls
Despite its counterintuitive name, Little Clifty Falls stands 60 feet tall, and tumbles down the slope of a hillside rather than acting like a classic cascade. The waterfall is accessed by the same hiking trail as its “Big” cousin, so you can see two awesome falls on the same trip.
Surrounded by the dense forest characteristic of this area, Little Clifty Falls is especially beautiful to visit in fall. Even better, visit in winter, when it often freezes solid, creating a kind of column of ice that’s certainly a memorable sight for the entire family.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
As mentioned above, this state park offers onsite camping, which is ideal for RVers. We also appreciate all of the outdoor activities the park has to offer campers.
Things to do near Little Clifty Falls
This gorgeous state park has so much to offer aside from its falls, such as the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery and a fascinating historic Railroad Tunnel. Of course, even if you run out of things to do inside Clifty Falls State Park, there’s plenty to see in the surrounding area.
Hoffman and Tunnel Falls
Clifty Falls State Park is the gift that keeps on giving, particularly for those interested in chasing waterfalls! Hoffman and Tunnel Falls are close-by neighbors that are both accessed along the same short hiking trail; the trail features some unique stair steps that lead into a small and fascinating cave called Brough’s Folly.
The 83-foot tall Tunnel Falls, as its name suggests, is located on the far side of that cave; you have to go through the tunnel in order to see them. Hoffman Falls stands slightly shorter at 78 feet tall, but both cut an impressive figure into the already beautiful Indiana countryside.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
Again, these falls are located in Clifty Falls State Park, which has an amazing onsite camping area. Of course, it’s also nice that there is so much to do in the park and in the surrounding area.
Things to do near Hoffman and Tunnel Falls
The small nearby town of Madison is a charming example of southern Indiana life, and also features a beautiful and historic bridge over the Ohio River, the Milton-Madison Bridge. River tours are also available for those who’d rather see the landscape from atop the water.
Planning an RV Trip to Indiana
The waterfalls are just the start of the natural beauty to see and experience across Indiana, not to mention the excellent dining and shopping opportunities and cultural attractions in its cities. No matter what brings you to this oft-overlooked midwestern state, we have everything you need to make for an excellent RV visit.
For starters, as always, we’ve got the best peer-to-peer RV rentals in Indiana available, and we’ve also gathered the details about the state’s best campgrounds and state parks to stay in and explore. Additionally, we’ve written guides to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, and, of course, the newly designated Indiana Sand Dunes National Park.
