Sometimes, we would like to get maximum rewards with minimal effort. It’s easy, relaxing, and can be fun. In that case, anyone hoping to find an easy trail that leads to a waterfall paradise should check out one particular trail nestled within Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. It’s popular for a reason: it’s one of the very best short waterfall hikes in Indiana.

...and when we say "short," we definitely mean short.
Andy Stancombe/AllTrails
Cascades Park Trail is less than one mile long, coming in at 0.8 miles in length, and it's quite easy. Most people, young and old, will have a very easy time of things on this particularly special trail.
Bennie Hume/AllTrails
It's open year-round, but during the warmer months of the year, it's particularly awesome.
John Elliott/AllTrails
We recommend visiting after a good, solid rainstorm. That way, the waterfall will be less of a trickle and more of a cascade.

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During drier times, the waterfall can get a bit strained, so make sure to time your trip well.
Richard Lenyo/AllTrails
The trail is located inside a popular park, and it gets busy on weekends. If you'd like to have the trail to yourself - or almost to yourself, anyway - we recommend you take this hike early on a weekday morning.
Dogs are welcome to walk this trail with you, as long as you keep them on a leash.
Christine Arason/AllTrails
Your furry friends will love this scenic hike as much as you and your small children will!
The rest of the park is certainly worth exploring, as well.
Jordan Lacy/AllTrails
Griffy Lake Nature Preserve is an epic 1,200 acres. On the grounds is a large lake, which spans 109 acres. Other than hiking and walking, popular activities at the preserve include boating, fishing, and camping.
As we mentioned before, the park and the trail are open during the cold months, too - make sure to visit during winter at least once!
John Gray/AllTrails

If you’re interested in boating, remember that the boathouse on Griffy Lake is open from May through October, and on weekends only in April and September. There is no swimming permitted in the lake, though hikers can splash around at the waterfall at the end of their easy hike.

To help you plan your trip, visit the official Griffy Lake Nature Preserve website. The AllTrails page for Cascades Park Trail is also quite helpful.

When it comes to short waterfall hikes in Indiana, this one might just top the list, but there are definitely more! What are your favorite short-and-sweet waterfall hikes? Tell us about them in the comments!

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