Indiana’s Niagara Falls, Clifty Falls, Is Too Beautiful For Words
By Tori Jane|Published September 28, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is an outrageously scenic state. It’s home to more than 20 state parks (and more than 20 waterfalls). Sure, we might be landlocked and smack-dab in the middle of the Midwest, but we sure do have a ton of absolutely incredible natural beauty all around us, year-round. Did you know that Indiana has its very own “Niagara Falls”? It’s not as tall as the real thing, but it does have some of the largest falls in the state.
Niagara Falls is 167 feet tall, total, and Clifty Falls - Big Clifty and Little Clifty combined - is an awe-invoking 120 feet tall, total. It's close enough for Indiana!
Now, Clifty Falls doesn't always look as fierce as it could; the volume of the falls varies. Sometimes, it's a roaring cascade (most notably after a major rainfall or when snow is melting off in the spring), and others it's a waifish, veil-like mist tumbling from above.
Even when it's got lower water levels than normal, there's still something that's immensely magical about it.
Of course, once you've had your fill of the falls, there's plenty more to explore around this beautiful state park. Founded in 1920, it's got more than 12 miles of amazing trails and even a 600-foot-long abandoned railroad tunnel, which is closed from November through April to protect bat species who call the tunnel home.
When it comes to incredible waterfalls in Indiana, this state park is easily one of the absolute best, attracting up to a half-million people from all over the county to experience its stunning majesty.
It's awe-inspiring year-round, even in winter - during those months, the falls are frozen and still maintain their incredibly photogenic nature.
....seriously, if you've never seen a frozen waterfall in person before, you don't have a clue what you're missing. You definitely need to check out this awesome park (and all four of its waterfalls) during each season to really get the full picture of just how delightful this little slice-o-paradise is.
You'll find the park west of downtown Madison, just off of State Route 56 and State Route 62.
Come early and stay late; this park, and its amazing waterfalls, are truly a thing to behold. You'll find yourself coming back again and again just to feel the sense of peace that permeates through the woods here.
