National park · United States
Clifty Falls State Park
Enter Clifty Falls State Park for a $10 vehicle fee, hike the Falls Trail early, and visit Oct–May for fullest water flow.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²)
approximate
Established
1920
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²)
- Park covers about 1,400 acres (≈ 5.66 km²) per Indiana DNR data; figures may vary slightly across sources.
- Established
- 1920
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Madison
Clifty Falls State Park offers a compact mix of waterfalls, rugged trails, fossil outcrops and an observation tower overlooking the Ohio River, all within a short drive from Madison, Indiana.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1920.
Size and age
6 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (6 km²) · national park since 1920
Park covers about 1,400 acres (≈ 5.66 km²) per Indiana DNR data; figures may vary slightly across sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Madison.
Why go
- Explore 10 varied trails with waterfalls, rock formations and fossils.
- Visit the observation tower for a view over the Ohio River.
- Enjoy picnicking, tennis and the historic Clifty Inn.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but falls full
- FebCold, falls strong
- MarSpring melt adds flow
- AprWarm, falls at peak
- MayWarm, full water
- JunWarm, occasional storms
- JulHot, lower flow
- AugHot, lower flow
- SepCooling, falls moderate
- OctCool, falls decent
- NovCool, less crowd
- DecCold, falls full
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, squirrels, songbirdsMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park headquarters | Visitor centre, ticket office, Clifty Inn, trailheads. | Open daily, fee required. |
| Falls area | Observation tower, Falls Trail, fossil outcrops. | Open with entry fee. |
| Campground | Electric and primitive sites, youth area. | Reservation required in summer. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from the Indiana DNR site; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry fee | US$10 | vehicle | check |
| Individual entry fee | US$5 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Indiana DNR – Clifty Falls State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Swimming
- Prohibited in the creek and falls areas.
- Fires
- Allowed only in designated fire rings.
- Pets
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- Camping
- Only in the official campground.
Where to stay
In the park
Clifty Inn
Hotel with restaurant and gift shop inside the park.
In the park
Campground
Electric and primitive sites within the park.
Near the park
Madison, IN
Various hotels, B&Bs and motels a short drive away.
Safety
Rockslides on rugged trails high
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and parking are wheelchair accessible.
- Falls Trail has steep sections; not fully accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails to protect fossil beds.
- Carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Clifty Falls State Park?
Vehicle entry is $10; individuals can pay $5 per person at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Clifty Falls State Park?
The Falls Trail (2‑3 mi, moderate) and the Observation Tower loop are popular; start early for cooler temps.
When is the best time to visit Clifty Falls State Park?
October to May offers full waterfalls and milder weather; summer can be hot and water lower.
Is swimming allowed in the park?
No, swimming in the creek or falls is prohibited for safety.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Clifty Falls State Park
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