Indiana's largest-volume waterfall, carrying Mill Creek over a tiered sandstone ledge beside a historic covered bridge in Owen County.
Upper Cataract Falls carries Mill Creek over a tiered sandstone ledge in Owen County, within Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, part of the Indiana DNR's Cagles Mill Lake/Lieber property near Spencer. It is commonly cited as Indiana's largest-volume waterfall. The official DNR page does not publish an exact height for either the Upper or Lower falls, though outside references commonly put the Upper Falls higher than the smaller Lower Falls downstream - confirm specifics with the property if it matters for your visit. A historic 1876 covered bridge spans Mill Creek just below the Upper Falls, giving a classic vantage point over the water.
The recreation area is reached via roadside parking near the covered bridge at 2605 N. Cataract Road, Spencer. The DNR's combined page for this property does not post a specific trail distance, hours, or accessibility details for the Cataract Falls unit specifically, so check the downloadable Cataract Falls SRA map and call ahead before visiting. The DNR does post a standing, park-wide blue-green algae advisory for its lakes; that applies to Cagles Mill Lake rather than this moving-water site, but normal caution around the falls and rocks is still warranted.
Know before you go
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, 2605 N. Cataract Road, Spencer, IN; part of the Lieber/Cagles Mill Lake DNR property.
Year-round; flow is heaviest after rain and in spring. Confirm current hours with the property office.
Short roadside walk near the historic covered bridge to the Upper Falls overlook; no official distance published - check the Cataract Falls SRA map.
No separate fee schedule found for Cataract Falls SRA; confirm with the property office (765-276-0194).
Not specified on the official page; contact the property for current accessibility information.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- Indiana DNR — Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
