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    Clifty Falls State Park

    4.5 (123 reviews)

    Clifty Falls State Park Photos

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    Julie B.

    Nice park that's easy to navigate. Plenty of parking with well marked trails. I parked by the shelter and took trail number 7 to check out the waterfalls. Big Clifty Falls was not disappointing! Park is dog friendly and has public restrooms. Definitely worth a stop!

    David W.

    The park has some really good hiking trails. I liked walking through the creek bed finding all the cool fossils. I've never seen so many. We were there during the week in the winter so not too many people around. Lots of cool history. The trail maps are better than most state parks. Very good visuals with the color and "you are here" markers. Colors on maps match the colors painted on trees.

    Clifty Canyon Nature Preserve is located within the park.
    Richard P.

    I've been fortunate that throughout my cancer journey I've had friends who've made sure I get places even if it's just for a drive. I'm a fan of Madison, Indiana having experienced it during the filming of the independent film "Madison" (if you look super closely you might see me) and because I have a friend who lives in the area. A visit to the Madison area should mean a visit to Clifty Falls State Park, though I'll start up front by saying this isn't a particularly wheelchair friendly state park. Clifty Falls is a great option for experienced hikers. Clifty Canyon offers year-round hiking and amazing scenery. The park has waterfalls and they can even be amazing during the winter. Clifty Creek's stony bed is filled with amazing fossil remnants. I can easily picture schools and homeschooling families visiting here for amazing science lessons. As a pretty important note, fossil collecting within Clifty Falls is prohibited. There are nearby collecting locations. Entrance to the park is available on both SR 56 and SR 62. Clifty Falls State Park is located near Madison with entrances on state roads 56 and 62. The park's waterfalls change moods with the weather and the seasons and can range from roaring plunges to delicate bridal-veil mists to gleaming frozen titans. Winter and spring visits reveal them at their best. The rugged splendor of Clifty Canyon offers exciting year-round hiking and scenery. The 1852 Railroad Tunnel is popular, however, you should note it's only open to the public from May 1 - October 31. From Nov. 1 - April 30th, it is closed to protect hibernating bats. While the trails at Clifty Falls aren't particularly wheelchair friendly, there's other things that can be done. The Nature Center is largely wheelchair friendly and there are wheelchair friendly shelters here. There's also a pool and waterslide. Of course, you can stay at Clifty Inn or visit the restaurant. I actually haven't stayed at the inn yet. The inn also falls under Indiana's Dept. of Natural Resources and the State does run specials. Check the State of Indiana website for details. If you visit the area during July, you can check out Madison Regatta (this is what the movie "Madison" is based on). In late September, the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is definitely worth a visit as Madison is a very artsy community. Madison is also host to the Lanier State Historic Site. In terms of camping, there are 106 electric sites, 63 non-electric, youth tent areas, and a dumping station. There are 10 official trails along with the railroad path. Only one trail is considered "easy" - it's a .75 mile trail that starts around the pool. Wheelchair users can definitely do it (I have). Six of the trails are considered "rugged" or "very rugged" and are definitely not accessible. All of the trails are relatively short - they range from .5 to 4.5 miles. The nature center is pretty cool, though be aware it has relatively short hours. January hours for the Nature Center are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed on Sunday- Tuesday. In recent years, the park has seen some upgrades. Clifty Inn has seen significant upgrades. The Madison area is simply beautiful and that really comes to life at Clifty Falls. This really is a "must visit" park, however, if you have mobility limits be aware that your hiking options will be limited.

    lauren s.

    Beautiful area with so many different trails to look at. The paths are well taken care of and the rangers were very nice and knowledgeable.

    Me with salad
    Kevin C.

    Another great dinner at Clifty Inn. I ordered the soup and salad bar only. She did the whole shebang. Folks this salad bar is the most top notch salad bar you'll ever see for $15. Everything is super fresh and cold. That cold part is more relevant than many realize. You can have an actual real meal ordering salad bar only. Whole hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken, 3 types of lettuce, 2 soups of the day,pasta salads, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and much more. And of course the full buffet that includes the soup and salad bar has even more. It's $21 and worth it.

    Peter P.

    This is a beautiful state park near Madison right on the Ohio River. The morning sunrises over the river are amazing. There are dozens of miles of hiking trails and a very nice inn to stay at.

    Nice side  31-35 spaces
    L S.

    So many trails, waterfalls, long views and cliffs. There is a nice inn with a restaurant and gift shop. Camping facilities with electric, no water. Camping facilities with tents and limited trees on some spots. Very dog friendly park. The nice perk is your close to the adorable dog friendly town of Madison and the Ohio River, where you can grab a good meal and icecream. Fun state park, bring the kids, dogs and smores.

    Clifty Falls
    Ayla N.

    Clifty Falls State Park is where difficult paths lead to beautiful destinations... Expect rough terrain. There are a lot of man made stairs, rough rock stairways and trails covered with roots, loose rock and fallen trees. The trails are also not well marked. I am by no means an expert hiker and I was able to navigate my way through the park and so can you... Make sure you ask for a map when you enter the park and you will be fine. I always YouTube new-to-me parks to prepare myself. The falls are more like trickles of water(at least on my visit), not roaring waterfalls and some were completely dry. However, I was not disappointed, this was expected from the videos I had viewed. The scenery is amazing and there is an old Rail Road tunnel that is a MUST see at this park. When inside the tunnel, be sure to look up!! What you will see is pretty amazing! Tips: Be sure to pack water shoes. Pack a flashlight, your phone will NOT be bright enough, the tunnel is pitch black! Be sure to check the website before you visit, not all trails are open year round. Have FUN!!

    Mike M.

    Beautiful park! Lots of waterfalls to check out, even an old rail road tunnel / cave (bring a legit flashlight if you really want to check it out). Park is well maintained, and staff is very friendly and helpful. Pro tip--it may be a little muddier hike (and include some water crossings), but go after rain. Waterfalls will be much more developed (dry season you may see a trickle) and beautiful. Trail 2 to the base of Clifty WILL be wet and challenging, but worth it!!

    Rhonda W.

    We were in the area and this state park seemed to be on the short list of things to do in the area. My husband had to go to Seymour For work and we made a day trip out of it. When I think of Indiana.. I think mainly of flat land and farms. This definitely isnt flat. It's very hilly and cool layered rocks .. lovely woods. Several waterfalls when there's been rain. We didnt have much time and it was pretty cold out. So wasnt wanting to be outside much. Saw a couple of waterfalls. Clifty waterfall was easy to get to ... paved path right near the parking lot. Normally there is a fee to get into the park ... there wasnt anyone collecting the fee .. maybe because of covid. If they had been charging we would have just turned around and left. Was fun but not worth 9 bucks to see. We have seen alot of falls in our travels. Not trying to be rude .. did enjoy. Might be worth the fee in the fall after a rain or when everything's snowy and iced up.

    Big clifty
    Rachael J.

    A great state park right on the edge of Kentucky & Indiana. I stayed in Madison for a weekend and was pleased that this state park was literally next door. The south entrance is about a 7 minute drive and the north entrance is closer to 15 from the main strip in Madison. I visited the park in the middle of winter and was still able to hike a solid 2.5 miles (decided to keep it short because of the cold). I was able to pass the "rugged" trails without issue. I was able to see the Cake Rock, Big Clifty Falls and Little Clifty Falls. Awesome sights to see in the middle of winter! Huge icicles were formed from the falling water. There was also snow on the ground which made everything so quiet and a great experience for being in nature. Since there were no leaves ok the trees it also allowed for seeing much farther than you would in the warmer months. The park was dead too- meaning we didn't see another person the whole time on a Friday afternoon. I LOVED it. There is electric and non electric camping sites listed too- I think I will be back when it's warmer!

    Above the Little Clifty Falls
    Matthias Y.

    We enjoyed our winter hike here. While there was still some water flowing, there were ice formations. Further, without the leaves, there were certain things that were easier to see. While it is pretty easy to drive through the park, visitors should be aware that many of the trails are on the rugged side. They should plan accordingly.

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    Review Highlights - Clifty Falls State Park

    “Coming from downtown Madison, we entered through the South Gate near the Clifty Inn.”

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    Cherokee Park

    Cherokee Park

    4.8(167 reviews)
    39.7 mi•Highlands- Cherokee Triangle

    Cherokee Park is a 2.3 mile scenic loop. Knowing that - or even checking out the basic Louisville…read moreMetro website - does not describe how you will experience the park. It's one of a kind and gorgeous, and provides joy for a variety of people. Walking Running trails Biking Picnics Frisbee golf Dog socializing Rentals of the pavilion Playgrounds and More You could visit Cherokee multiple times and it wouldn't feel repetitive. It can be lazy or provide an intense workout.

    Cherokee is a gem in East Louisville. It has a winding road that is bike and pedestrian friendly…read more They've carved out half the road for cars and the other half for walkers, runners, and bikers. The full loop is 2-4 miles with lots of trail cut throughs in the woods that are both bike and walker or runner friendly. There are two big hills, each with restrooms, playgrounds, and water fountains. There are gazebos for picnics. The Hogans fountain area has a better playground and a splash pad, basketball court, and a wide open, flat field. Dog Hill is rolling on top of the hill. The hill itself is great for sledding in the winter. On the last Sunday of each month, the park is fully closed to cars, which is great for kids, adults, and pets. The crew that maintains the park does an excellent job keeping it clean, the trails clear, and combating invasive plants. You'll see lots of wildlife - deer, fox, hawks, turtles, etc.

    Photos
    Cherokee Park
    Cherokee Park
    Cherokee Park - Steps.

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    Steps.

    Boone County Arboretum - A weeping golden redbud at the entrance to our Pollinator garden.

    Boone County Arboretum

    4.6(23 reviews)
    40.6 mi

    We took a "field trip" here while learning about trees in our homeschool unit and we really…read moreappreciated three things: the walking trails are very nicely maintained and paved well, all of the natural shade with benches to rest, and all of the labels & information panels on the various types of trees! The area is beautiful and a great place for a walk. My 4 star rating is coming from a desire for a better map, the ones they have are ok but I had a little bit of trouble at times, and then for being let down on 2 things I promised my kids. The "children's garden" has definitely seen better days and is very lackluster in general. There's nothing to do inside of it and we were honestly just confused. The other thing was the butterfly garden, all of the bushes were gone on our visit. In general, these things aren't a big deal but considering I had 4 small kids with me, these were 2 things advertised that we were looking forward to.

    What a lovely little paved path just off the main road in the Union-Florence area! Don't let the…read morebaseball fields fool you - just follow the trail in to experience a wonderful little oasis of nature. There's plenty of parking - regardless if you're there for a baseball game or for a nice walk. We brought our dog with us, and ended up doing the entire loop in just under an hour. We'd initially pulled up this trail in the AllTrails app, and it told us this was 1.1 miles ... we're not so sure that's accurate, since it felt like we were walking for much longer than that. Next time, we'll make sure to measure how far we've gone. Either way - what a gorgeous way to start your day! The plants and trees are all labeled, and sorted into various collections. The Magnolia Collection was by far our favorite, although that's about as far back into the loop as you can get. The trail itself is well-maintained, and wasn't too busy at all on a Saturday morning around 9 a.m. There was a good age range among the folks walking ... it was nice to everyone from families to elderly couples out for a morning stroll. We'll definitely return to this paved trail - it's especially convenient after a big rain, when you don't want to hike through the mud!

    Photos
    Boone County Arboretum - Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

    Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

    Boone County Arboretum - Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

    Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

    Boone County Arboretum - Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

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    Prickly pear cactus at the Arboretum entrance

    Big Rock Park

    Big Rock Park

    4.3(16 reviews)
    39.5 mi•Cherokee Seneca

    Great place! Iconic, historic, and fun. Chances are that your parents, and maybe grandparents,…read morejumped off this rock into the cool water below. Be advised it is only maybe 3ft at deepest, rocks on bottom, and occasional waters naked. You know, nature stuff. Crawdads abound, and are fun to hunt. Only caveat is during dry spells the water can become less than savory. Toxic even. So be advised.​

    Big Rico park is a very cool and beautiful park located in the Cherokee park system that's created…read moreby Olmsted the same person who made New York's Central Park. Located in the highlands/Cherokee portion of the city of Louisville. I stopped by this park the other day with my wife and 4th horn daughter who is 18 months old. We had planned to play on there small playground but she fell asleep so we Chelsea out the scenery instead. They have lots of water that's ankle high and lots of rock that allows you to walk out in and get in the water. It also a few small trails that surround the park that lets you see yeh park from several angles. The park includes seven benches on the banks of the water for viewing pleasure. They also have a giant pavilion that can be rented out. Which looks like at one point was very impressive. Now it's not upkept and filled with graffiti. It's honestly the only eye sore here. Hopefully they clean it up. Overall cool place that looks like it has 3 different parking lots for different entry points. Although the water is low enough and there is a bough rocks to easily walk this small park and get to any entrance. We had a nice visit here and I look for art to coming back with my other kids and enjoying the exploring and playground.

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    Big Rock Park
    Big Rock Park
    Big Rock Park

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    Versailles State Park - Covered bridge - exterior

    Versailles State Park

    4.4(21 reviews)
    24.0 mi

    Some parks are beautiful…read more Versailles State Park reminded me why it's worth slowing down. From the moment we arrived, there was something new to discover. The historic covered bridge feels enormous when you're standing beneath it, and stepping into the shade inside was an instant relief from the warm day outside. The weathered wood, years of wear, and little imperfections only added to its character. The waterfall became its own soundtrack for the afternoon. Between the rushing water and the constant chorus of birds, the park somehow felt full of life while remaining incredibly peaceful. A fisherman had found a quiet spot along the river, another visitor was reading beneath the trees, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the park at their own pace. One of my favorite memories came before we even started hiking. While we were sitting in the car looking over the trail map, a smiling gentleman waved from his pickup and asked, "Do you enjoy nature?" Of course we said yes. Grinning from ear to ear, he led us to a tiny opening in the trees and pointed toward the shoreline where a Great Blue Heron was quietly hiding. It's such a simple interaction, but it perfectly captured what I love about state parks. People aren't just there to enjoy nature--they're excited to help others experience it too. Later, while watching a butterfly drift along the trail, I happened to glance down at just the right moment and spotted the tiniest little frog sitting beside the path. He was still there on our hike back, and I couldn't help but smile knowing other hikers would probably get the same surprise. By the time we left, I felt completely recharged. Versailles State Park isn't a place to rush through. It's a place to wander, look up at the towering canopy, look down at the little things you'd normally miss, and let nature slow you down for a while.

    The campground is not being maintained The grass was over a…read morefoot high on some campsites The hot water in the bathhouse was non-existant The campsites are so deeply rutted there is standing water Overall, not a good experience at all

    Photos
    Versailles State Park - I'm not sure why I kept this one other than I like the shot.

    I'm not sure why I kept this one other than I like the shot.

    Versailles State Park
    Versailles State Park - Covered bridge - interior

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    Covered bridge - interior

    Clifty Falls State Park - climbing - Updated September 2026

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