Another Indiana State Park

I kept hearing great things about Clifty Falls State Park. Since waterfall chasing is one of my favorite sports, it seemed like a great adventure choice.  There are twelve miles of lovely hiking trails ranging from easy to very rugged. Also four waterfalls, a family friendly picnic area, nature opportunities, stunning rock formations, canyons, and wildlife, need I say more?  Well, in a word, yes!  Check out the park website to plan your trip: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/clifty-falls-state-park/

Planning Your Visit to Clifty Falls

There is an access road that runs throughout the park with lots of parking/lookout areas. This makes waterfall viewing easier.  It’s best to enter through the north gate off Indiana State Road 62, as the access road is only one way, running north to south. 

Other options are to enter from Indiana State Road 56, and park at the nature center or Clifty inn lot.  From here you can spend the day on some very rugged trails, walking the park length.  Or combine driving with hiking, depending on your abilities and how much effort you want to exert.

The park is known for having some of the most rugged trails in Indiana.  But it’s also one of the most beautiful.  And there are plenty of opportunities for all skill levels.  Plan for safety and maximum fun.

Here is a link to the property map, which gives a great overview to decide your route: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/clifty_falls_trail.pdf

Tips for a Safe Visit

*SAFETY ALERT:  Areas above and below waterfalls are always off limits.

Hiking poles can also be helpful to traverse downhill slopes.

Wear comfortable sturdy shoes, hiking boot if you have them.

Most of the park is too rugged for strollers.

Dogs on a leash are allowed in the park. Be sure to double check the park website to confirm before you arrive.

Brough’s Tunnel: Due to a rockslide and the possibility of additional large rocks falling near the entrance, the tunnel is closed for an indefinite period of time. Trail 5 remains open, but you must avoid both tunnel entrances.

Best Time to Visit

The park is awesome in all four seasons. The cascading falls will be more spectacular in the spring. Summers can be pretty warm, so early day hikes are best.

If it’s cold enough, there might be a chance to see a frozen waterfall. Just remember you would need temperatures in the teens or lower for an extended period, which doesn’t always happen. The more rugged trails may be closed if it has been icy.

Clifty Falls and Trail 7

I decided to combine walking with driving, to cram a bit more into my day, staring from the north end.  Park in either trail 8 or playground parking lot.  There is a nice short, paved walking loop if you want to get a few easy steps in before starting your tour.  Modern restrooms are also available.

Start with trail 7 to the Clifty Falls overlook, which is ADA accessible (the overlook, not the trail).  Depending on the time of year, it may be difficult to view due to obscuring foliage.  Keep following the trail, and you will come out to a better viewing area.

Little Clifty Falls

Keeping on trail 7, next up is Little Clifty Falls.  This was another easy hike with decent photo opportunities. 

Little Clifty Creek

I decided to take it easy and returned to the parking lot to drive to other trails, midway along the access road. Here there were stairs to a nice viewing area, and access to trails five, two and eight.

Since it was summer, it was possible to walk along the creek bed, so I decided to take trail two.  This was a lot more rugged, and ended up making a wrong turn somewhere, so a lot more miles were necessary. 

Of course this means running into other more perfect hikers who always want to know if I need help over some of the rough spots.  Just smiling and saying I’m ok, enjoying my time…..getting used to this scenario.

Keep in mind there is no connection between trails 2, 7 and 8.  You can walk the length of the creek bed, which is basically trail two all the way from the nature center north to the end and view Big Clifty Falls from there, but would then need to return back the same way.  Finally made it back to my vehicle, and drove further down the road to Hoffman Falls.

Hoffman Falls

More stairs here, not my favorite, but better than trucking down steep inclines.

Another choice is to stop at one of the parking areas along the access road.  From there you can grab trail five to link with trail 2.  The park map is a little confusing for trail 5 (hence my wrong turn), but it was still a great hike with awesome views.

Hoffman Falls is best viewed in the spring, but it’s still a cool canyon-like view during the drier seasons.

Nature Center and Ohio River Observation Tower

Continue on the access road to the southern end and nature center parking lot.  Be sure to stop here for lots of interesting exhibits. 

Trail 1 starts form the parking lot and leads to an observation tower, where you can get a great view of the Ohio river.

Trail 1 leads down to a steep incline where it connects to both trails 2 and 3.  Trail 3 eventually leads to Hoffman Falls, or you can stop along the access road for viewing.

Places to Stay

If you are in the mood to splurge, the Clifty Inn is a great stop for dining or staying overnight. A swimming pool and tennis courts are also located on the property.

There is also a campground with both electric and non-electric sites.

Booking early is a must for both of these options.

That’s it for now, until next time, make sure to get some dirt under your boots!

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