Waterfall Hikes Near Louisville, KY

963,812 residents
New York Time Zone
16 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Set along the Ohio River and surrounded by rolling bluegrass hills, Louisville's nearby landscape features limestone and sandstone bluffs, wooded ravines, and karst-fed creeks that cut narrow gorges. Within 50 miles, waterfall hikes are mostly moderate woodland and creek-gorge routes with rocky scrambles and short climbs, supplemented by a couple of easy roadside cascades; the karst topography and river bluffs create varied stream channels and tight chutes that shorten approaches but reward geological variety.

Located at 38.1663°N, -85.6485°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Louisville

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

16 of 16 gauged

1 of 16 waterfalls near Louisville is flowing strongly today

Butler Falls Moderate Chain Mill Falls Moderate Crowe Falls Moderate Deadman Falls Moderate Fremont Falls Moderate Harts Falls Moderate Horseshoe Falls Moderate Clifty Falls Barely Flowing Hoffman Falls Barely Flowing Little Clifty Falls Barely Flowing Wallace Falls Barely Flowing Tunnel Falls Barely Flowing Drennon Falls Roaring Falls of the Ohio Low The Big Falls Moderate

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Sunny · 92°F

Wed 92°F Sunny Best
Thu 92°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Fri 90°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sat 90°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sun 90°F Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 90°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 89°F Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Louisville

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Drennon Falls Roaring · 8940 cfs 90th percentile
  2. 2 Butler Falls Moderate · 30 cfs 72nd percentile
  3. 3 Chain Mill Falls Moderate · 30 cfs 72nd percentile
  4. 4 Crowe Falls Moderate · 30 cfs 72nd percentile
  5. 5 Deadman Falls Moderate · 30 cfs 72nd percentile
  6. 6 Fremont Falls Moderate · 30 cfs 72nd percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Louisville

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Louisville (2 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.

Falls of the Ohio waterfall

Falls of the Ohio

19.6 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.2 miles 50 ft
Falls of the Ohio waterfall

Falls of the Ohio

19.1 miles away
Kentucky
Easy
1.2 miles 50 ft

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

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

The Big Falls waterfall

The Big Falls

26.2 miles away
Kentucky
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Fremont Falls waterfall

Fremont Falls

47.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 16 Waterfalls Near Louisville

Falls of the Ohio waterfall

Falls of the Ohio

19.6 miles away
Indiana
Easy
1.2 miles 50 ft
Falls of the Ohio waterfall

Falls of the Ohio

19.1 miles away
Kentucky
Easy
1.2 miles 50 ft
The Big Falls waterfall

The Big Falls

26.2 miles away
Kentucky
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Harts Falls

46.7 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Chain Mill Falls

47 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Fremont Falls waterfall

Fremont Falls

47.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Butler Falls

47.4 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Crowe Falls waterfall

Crowe Falls

48.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Deadman Falls waterfall CC

Deadman Falls

48.9 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Horseshoe Falls waterfall

Horseshoe Falls

49 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Drennon Falls

37 miles away
Kentucky
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Wallace Falls

35.9 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hoffman Falls waterfall

Hoffman Falls

36.1 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Clifty Falls waterfall

Clifty Falls

36.2 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Tunnel Falls waterfall

Tunnel Falls

36.3 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Clifty Falls waterfall

Little Clifty Falls

36.3 miles away
Indiana
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Louisville

Are there free waterfalls near Louisville?

There is 1 free waterfall near Louisville, including Fremont Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Louisville?

There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near Louisville, including Falls of the Ohio.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Louisville?

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

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Louisville?

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

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Louisville?

The shortest waterfall hike near Louisville is Butler Falls at 1.2 miles round trip.

What is the closest waterfall to Louisville?

The closest waterfall to Louisville is Falls of the Ohio, approximately 9.6 miles away.

Waterfall Hikes Near Louisville, KY Pinterest Guide

Pin This Guide

Save this Louisville waterfall guide to your Pinterest board for your next adventure.

Pin It

🏙️ Other Cities Near Louisville With Waterfalls

St. Matthews, KY
17,511 residents
Jeffersontown, KY
28,796 residents
Lyndon, KY
10,997 residents
Shively, KY
15,595 residents
Mount Washington, KY
17,987 residents
Jeffersonville, IN
49,771 residents
Shepherdsville, KY
14,136 residents
Clarksville, IN
22,087 residents
New Albany, IN
37,598 residents
Shelbyville, KY
17,239 residents
La Grange, KY
10,073 residents
Bardstown, KY
13,564 residents

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

← → walk · Esc to stop