WaterfallNear Me

Upper Cataract Falls

Owen County, Indiana

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Owen County, Indiana
Access status
Short walk to overlook platforms; entrance fee listed
The walk
Short walk to the overlook
Ground & access
Short walk to platforms. Rocks are slippery; stay on marked trails and overlooks. No swimming at the falls per America's State Parks.
America's State Parks: Cataract Falls State Recreation Area
Upper Cataract Falls, IN
Upper Cataract Falls, IN
Photo creditPhoto: Joseph Gage from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Upper Cataract Falls (about 45 feet) on Mill Creek is the larger of the two Cataract Falls in Owen County. A short walk from the main parking area leads to overlook platforms, with the 1875 covered bridge just upstream. IDNR's Creekside Trail starts at the upper falls overlook and follows the creek to the Lower Falls.

Plan your visit

Cataract Falls State Recreation Area upper parking area to the Upper Falls overlook platforms

America's State Parks lists the Upper Falls Overlook walk as 0.2 mile. The Creekside Trail continues 0.75 mile (IDNR) from the upper falls overlook to the Lower Falls.

Short walk to platforms. Rocks are slippery; stay on marked trails and overlooks. No swimming at the falls per America's State Parks.

Where to start

Main parking area at the Upper Falls, off Cataract Road near Cataract (office address 2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer).

Timing & water

Flow is highest March to May and after rain, lower in late summer.

Before you go

America's State Parks lists a vehicle entrance fee of $7 for Indiana plates and $15 out of state, as of October 2026. Not confirmed on an IDNR page in this review.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Indiana

Waterfall location

Owen County, Indiana.

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