Cataract Falls
- Height
- 30 ft
- Hike
- 0.5 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Cataract Falls drops about 30 ft on Mill Creek in Owen County, Indiana. Reaching it is a 0.5 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
DNR property map: swimming prohibited anywhere along the creek and waterfalls; no climbing on or fishing from the falls; water immediately above or below the falls is off limits. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Upper Cataract Falls 30 ft (two drops) per WWD; Lower Falls ~20 ft, may inundate when lake is high. DNR: largest volume falls in Indiana. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 0.5 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Cataract Falls SRA at 2605 N. Cataract Road, Spencer, IN; Upper and Lower Falls about 1 mile apart on Mill Creek, linked by the Ed Dailey Trail. |
| Parking | Designated parking at Cataract Falls SRA (Upper Falls near the covered bridge; Lower Falls area also marked on the DNR property map). |
| Fee | $7 in-state / $15 out-of-state vehicle daily; $2/person age 5+ walk-in or bike (IN DNR). |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Cagles Mill Lake / Cataract Falls SRA) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Shelters, playground, and pit toilets on the Cataract Falls SRA map; covered bridge at Upper Falls. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Cataract Falls open?
DNR property map: swimming prohibited anywhere along the creek and waterfalls; no climbing on or fishing from the falls; water immediately above or below the falls is off limits. As of September 30, 2026.
How tall is Cataract Falls?
Cataract Falls drops about 30 ft.
Can you swim at Cataract Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Cataract Falls.
How long is the hike to Cataract Falls?
It's a 0.5 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Cataract Falls SRA at 2605 N. Cataract Road, Spencer, IN; Upper and Lower Falls about 1 mile apart on Mill Creek, linked by the Ed Dailey Trail. Parking: Designated parking at Cataract Falls SRA (Upper Falls near the covered bridge; Lower Falls area also marked on the DNR property map).
Do you need a reservation for Cataract Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Cataract Falls?
The fee is $7 in-state / $15 out-of-state vehicle daily; $2/person age 5+ walk-in or bike (IN DNR).
When is Cataract Falls flowing?
Upper Cataract Falls 30 ft (two drops) per WWD; Lower Falls ~20 ft, may inundate when lake is high. DNR: largest volume falls in Indiana.
Nearby
Nearby
Sources
6
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/cagles-mill-lake-lieber-and-cataract-falls-sra/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.parking / access.roadNote / amenities, access.roadSurface / waterfall.ephemeral)
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/rates-and-fees/entrance-fees (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee / access.permitRequired)
- https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Upper-Cataract-Falls-28007 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt)
- https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Lower-Cataract-Falls-28008 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.flowNote)
- https://www.in.gov/dA/d36fc5eae6/cagles_mill_Cataract-Falls-SRA.pdf?language_id=1 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs hazardNote / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false / rules.camping not_allowed)
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=233823 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.flowNote)
More: Indiana waterfalls