Waterfall Hikes Near Columbus, IN

50,896 residents
Indiana/Indianapolis Time Zone
15 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Architecture brings people to Columbus, and the waterfalls hold up their end about 45 minutes south in the Clifty country above Madison. Clifty Falls runs a half mile loop, dogs welcome. Tunnel Falls needs 2 miles each way, and Little Clifty makes it 2.5. Derbyshire and Wallace offer a mile apiece at an easy grade. Fifteen falls sit inside the circle, most with dog friendly trails, and February through May is when these gorges run full.

Located at 39.2093°N, -85.9183°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Columbus

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

15 of 15 gauged

15 waterfalls near Columbus have live flow data today

Butler Falls Barely Flowing Chain Mill Falls Barely Flowing Crowe Falls Barely Flowing Deadman Falls Barely Flowing Fremont Falls Barely Flowing Harts Falls Barely Flowing Horseshoe Falls Barely Flowing Derbyshire Falls Moderate Lower Cataract Falls Low Upper Cataract Falls Low

Updated 28 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Sunday

Mostly Sunny · 74°F

Thu 74°F Patchy Drizzle then Cloudy
Fri 73°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 75°F Mostly Sunny
Sun 74°F Mostly Sunny Best
Mon 74°F Mostly Sunny
Tue 80°F Sunny
Wed 81°F Chance Rain Showers

Flowing best right now near Columbus

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Derbyshire Falls Moderate · 1010 cfs 57th percentile
  2. 2 Lower Cataract Falls Low · 51 cfs 21st percentile
  3. 3 Upper Cataract Falls Low · 51 cfs 21st percentile
  4. 4 Clifty Falls Low · 0 cfs 17th percentile
  5. 5 Hoffman Falls Low · 0 cfs 17th percentile
  6. 6 Little Clifty Falls Low · 0 cfs 17th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Columbus hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Columbus

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Columbus (6 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

LiDAR terrain view around Derbyshire Falls in Indiana, about 65 feet of drop LiDAR

Derbyshire Falls

42.3 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Wallace Falls in Indiana, about 249 feet of drop LiDAR

Wallace Falls

42.6 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Columbus (10 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Clifty Falls waterfall

Clifty Falls

42 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
0.5 miles Unknown
Little Clifty Falls waterfall

Little Clifty Falls

42.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.5 miles Unknown
Tunnel Falls waterfall

Tunnel Falls

42.6 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.0 miles Unknown

All 15 Waterfalls Near Columbus

Clifty Falls waterfall

Clifty Falls

42 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
0.5 miles Unknown
Little Clifty Falls waterfall

Little Clifty Falls

42.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Derbyshire Falls in Indiana, about 65 feet of drop LiDAR

Derbyshire Falls

42.3 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Wallace Falls in Indiana, about 249 feet of drop LiDAR

Wallace Falls

42.6 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
Tunnel Falls waterfall

Tunnel Falls

42.6 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.0 miles Unknown
Deadman Falls waterfall CC

Deadman Falls

43.2 miles away
Indiana
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Horseshoe Falls waterfall

Horseshoe Falls

43.3 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
Hoffman Falls waterfall

Hoffman Falls

43.3 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Butler Falls in Indiana, about 182 feet of drop LiDAR

Butler Falls

43.5 miles away
Indiana
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Crowe Falls waterfall

Crowe Falls

43.6 miles away
Indiana
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Chain Mill Falls in Indiana, about 191 feet of drop LiDAR

Chain Mill Falls

44 miles away
Indiana
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Fremont Falls waterfall

Fremont Falls

44.2 miles away
Indiana
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Harts Falls in Indiana, about 180 feet of drop LiDAR

Harts Falls

45.5 miles away
Indiana
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Upper Cataract Falls waterfall

Upper Cataract Falls

48.9 miles away
Indiana
Easy
0.8 miles 100 ft
Lower Cataract Falls waterfall

Lower Cataract Falls

49.5 miles away
Indiana
Easy
0.6 miles 100 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Columbus

Are there free waterfalls near Columbus?

There are 2 free waterfalls near Columbus, including Derbyshire Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Columbus?

There are 6 easy waterfall hikes near Columbus, including Derbyshire Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Columbus?

There are 10 dog-friendly waterfalls near Columbus, including Clifty Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbus?

There are 10 kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbus, including Clifty Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Columbus?

The shortest waterfall hike near Columbus is Clifty Falls at 0.5 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Columbus?

The tallest waterfall near Columbus is Upper Cataract Falls at 20 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Columbus?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Columbus have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Columbus?

The closest waterfall to Columbus is Clifty Falls, approximately 42 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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