McCormick's Creek Falls
- Height
- 6 ft
- Hike
- 0.8 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
McCormick's Creek Falls drops about 6 ft on McCormick's Creek in Owen County, Indiana. Reaching it is a 0.8 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
Trail 3 is rugged with no bridges across the creek; fluctuating creek levels can make sections seasonably inaccessible. Limestone canyon rock is slick when wet. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 6 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | McCormicks Creek Falls listed at 6 ft by World Waterfall Database. Limestone canyon waterfall reached via Trail 3 and viewed from Echo Canyon overlooks; Indiana's oldest state park (dedicated 1916). |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 0.8 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick's Creek Park Road, Spencer, IN 47460. |
| Parking | Trail 3 begins across from Canyon Inn (falls and canyon). Echo Canyon Trail accessible parking at Centennial Shelter for overlooks of the creek and falls. |
| Fee | $7 in-state / $15 out-of-state vehicle daily; $2/person age 5+ walk-in or bike (IN DNR). |
| Hours | Property daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Campground and some park trails remain closed due to March 31, 2023 tornado damage; check DNR alerts before travel. |
| Wheelchair access | Echo Canyon Trail: about 0.25 mi ADA-accessible path to two overlooks of the creek and falls (trailhead at Centennial Shelter). |
| Managed by | Indiana Department of Natural Resources (McCormick's Creek State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Nature center, picnic/shelters, Canyon Inn; park swimming is at the seasonal pool, not the creek. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is McCormick's Creek Falls open?
Trail 3 is rugged with no bridges across the creek; fluctuating creek levels can make sections seasonably inaccessible. Limestone canyon rock is slick when wet. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Campground and some park trails remain closed due to March 31, 2023 tornado damage; check DNR alerts before travel. Hours: Property daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
How tall is McCormick's Creek Falls?
McCormick's Creek Falls drops about 6 ft.
Can you swim at McCormick's Creek Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at McCormick's Creek Falls.
How long is the hike to McCormick's Creek Falls?
It's a 0.8 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick's Creek Park Road, Spencer, IN 47460. Parking: Trail 3 begins across from Canyon Inn (falls and canyon). Echo Canyon Trail accessible parking at Centennial Shelter for overlooks of the creek and falls.
Do you need a reservation for McCormick's Creek Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at McCormick's Creek 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 McCormick's Creek Falls flowing?
McCormicks Creek Falls listed at 6 ft by World Waterfall Database. Limestone canyon waterfall reached via Trail 3 and viewed from Echo Canyon overlooks; Indiana's oldest state park (dedicated 1916).
Nearby
Nearby
Public land
Just outside: McCormick's Creek State Park (under 0.1 mi) .
Sources
5
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/mccormicks-creek-state-park/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / access.hours / access.parking / access.roadNote / access.seasonalClosure / access.wheelchairAccess / access.hikeDistanceMi, waterbodyName / waterfall.ephemeral / access.roadSurface)
- 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/index.php/country/United-States/Indiana/M (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt)
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/property-rules-and-regulations/pet-rules (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs)
- https://www.mccormickscreekstatepark.com/swimming_pool/index.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false)
More: Indiana waterfalls