Waterfalls around Indianapolis at a glance
There are 32 named waterfalls within 100 miles of downtown Indianapolis. The nearest is Vermillion Falls, about 40 mi W in a straight line. Most of the falls around the city lie to the south: 15 of the 32. The radius reaches into 2 states, led by Indiana (28) and Ohio (4).
Distances here are straight lines from the city centre. Roads bend around ridges and rivers, so a fall 20 miles out can take an hour to reach. Search your own street or tap Find falls near me above to measure from where you are.
How far you have to drive
| Within | Named waterfalls |
|---|---|
| 10 miles of Indianapolis | 0 |
| 25 miles of Indianapolis | 0 |
| 50 miles of Indianapolis | 8 |
| 100 miles of Indianapolis | 32 |
Well-known falls within reach of Indianapolis
Clifty Falls (79 miSSE) is among the best-known waterfalls within 100 miles. Each is described on its state page: waterfalls in Indiana.
The 15 nearest waterfalls to Indianapolis
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermillion Falls | 40 mi W | not recorded | Putnam County, Indiana |
| Lower Cataract Falls | 42 mi WSW | not recorded | Owen County, Indiana |
| Upper Cataract Falls | 42 mi WSW | not recorded | Owen County, Indiana |
| Cascades Falls | 45 mi SSW | 16 ft | Indiana |
| McCormick's Creek Waterfall | 45 mi SW | not recorded | Indiana |
| Groundhog Falls | 47 mi W | not recorded | Parke County, Indiana |
| Maidenhair Fa lls | 50 mi WNW | not recorded | Indiana |
| Silver Cascade Falls | 50 mi WNW | not recorded | Indiana |
| Derbyshire Falls | 54 mi ESE | not recorded | Franklin County, Indiana |
| Thistlethwaite Falls | 67 mi E | not recorded | Indiana |
| Elkhorn Falls | 69 mi E | not recorded | Wayne County, Indiana |
| Williamsport Falls | 70 mi WNW | not recorded | Indiana |
| France Park Waterfalls | 70 mi NNW | not recorded | Indiana |
| Shanty Falls | 72 mi NNE | not recorded | Wabash County, Indiana |
| Charley Creek Falls | 74 mi NNE | 13 ft | Indiana |
Tallest recorded waterfalls near Indianapolis
Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap. 2 of the 32 falls have one; the rest are often small ledges and cascades. Why published heights differ.
| Waterfall | Height | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cascades Falls | 16 ft | 45 mi SSW |
| Charley Creek Falls | 13 ft | 74 mi NNE |
Counties with the most falls near Indianapolis
Jefferson County, IN (12), Owen County, IN (2), Putnam County, IN (1), Parke County, IN (1) and Franklin County, IN (1). County is from the USGS record, so falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap are not counted here.
Before you go
The map shows where falls are, not whether a trail reaches them or the land is open. Check the land manager for closures, fees and parking, and stay on the trail near the water. See waterfall safety, waterfall hikes near me and the best time to see waterfalls.
Waterfalls near other cities: Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Columbus.