Upper Cataract Falls
Indiana • 45 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.8 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
100 ft
About Upper Cataract Falls
Upper Cataract Falls is the upper of two sets of falls on Mill Creek in northern Owen County, in Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, part of the Indiana DNR's Cagles Mill Lake property. The upper falls are a series of drops totaling about 45 feet, with a main drop of about 30 feet; Lower Cataract Falls is about a mile downstream. The historic Cataract Falls Covered Bridge, a Smith truss bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands near the upper falls.
The Setting
Upper Cataract Falls sits at 702 feet within Owen-Putnam State Forest, in the foothills of Indiana. The falls drop 45 feet.
Height: 45 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Lower Cataract Falls (15 ft) lies 0.6 miles to the northwest.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy 0.8-mile out-and-back trail gains 100 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The upper falls are a short walk from the parking area on a natural path along Mill Creek. The DNR's 0.5-mile Ed Dailey Trail, a moderate pavement-and-stone loop, can be used to connect the upper and lower falls, and the Creekside Trail follows the creek. The DNR asks visitors to stay on marked trails.
What to Expect
The falls drop 45 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper Cataract Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Pets are allowed but must be attended at all times and caged or on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $7.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Cataract Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Swimming is prohibited anywhere along the creek and waterfalls, and climbing on or fishing from the waterfalls is not allowed. The water immediately above and below the falls is off limits. Rocks near the falls are slippery.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Mill Creek, 2.7 miles away, not on Upper Cataract Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
22 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 34 years of record
4.65 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MILL CREEK NEAR CATARACT, IN (4 km away).
Today
Moderate
22 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Moderate
18 cfs
9/10Tue
Moderate
17 cfs
9/10Wed
Moderate
19 cfs
9/10Thu
Moderate
25 cfs
9/10Fri
Moderate
27 cfs
9/10Sat
Moderate
26 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid April, peaking in March.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Cloverdale hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Upper Cataract Falls Frozen?
Updated about 23 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Upper Cataract Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 45°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 28 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Indiana.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 85 feet through Upper Cataract Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 45 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 703 feet.
The ground changes about 55 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 47 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 703 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 85 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Cataract Falls SRA entrance is at 2605 N. Cataract Road, Spencer, IN 47460, near the town of Cataract off State Road 42. From I-70 exit 41, one route is US 231 south about 7 miles, then right on County Road 1050 N to the Mill Creek bridge; the park entrance is on the right after the bridge.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is a designated parking area near the falls, which is a short walk from the viewing area.
Elevation
702 feet above sea level
Coordinates
39.434447° N, -86.813089° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit after a rainy period for the best water flow. Wear sturdy shoes as the area near the falls can be slippery. Bring a camera to capture the scenic views.
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For this easy 0.8 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Osprey Daylite Daypack
Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.
Where to Stay
Canyon Inn
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Indianapolis Airport South, IN
Wingate by Wyndham Indianapolis Airport Plainfield
Red Roof Inn Greencastle South - Cloverdale
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lower Cataract Falls, Cataract Falls Covered Bridge, Lieber State Recreation Area, Cagles Mill Lake.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also spot turtles and fish in the nearby streams.
Cities near Upper Cataract Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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