Clifty Falls State Park Campground

Well it’s true. This is an amazing Indiana State Park featuring a 425 million-year-old limestone canyon carved out during the ice age. Clifty Creek plunges some 70 feet in just three miles to produce several waterfalls along the way. This 1300 acre park offers panoramic views of the nearby historical town of Madison and the Ohio River Valley. Madison is definitely a town worth some exploring; restaurants, riverfront, shops and much historically to keep you occupied. The park amenities include; Clifty Inn opening in 1924 with accommodations plus dining and indoor pool, campground with 106 electric and 59 primitive sites with potable water and dump station, seasonal nature center with Interpretive Naturalist, seasonal outdoor aquatic center, hiking trials and more. The campground is mainly in the open, so shade is at a premium. The pads are gravel and some sites will accommodate larger rigs, electric is 30 amp with restroom and bathhouse facilities. Access to the park is via two entrances; State Road 56 or State Road 62 and roads are somewhat narrow as with most state parks. This is a busy park so plan ahead especially on weekends and holidays. There are plenty of resources nearby for groceries, restaurants, necessities and the all-important Walmart. Reservations are available on Reserve America https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/clifty-falls-state-park/IN/570045/overview $23-$30 nightly 38°45'39"N, 85°25'8"W

Waterfalls in Indiana?

I've been coming to Clifty Falls State Park since I was a child! I love this park! The campground is great. Lots of nice open sites to choose from. I recommend booking as far in advance as possible for your trip if you plan to stay on the electric half of the campground. The trails at clifty falls are awesome! Definitely a great place to visit.

Coming Here For Years

This was my second trip to Clifty Falls to camp. If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget. But the campgrounds are clean, and beautiful and the trails are really fun/rough. We did a ten mile training run there and it was great.

Ps: the ranger at the entrance was a little snarky but 🤷🏻‍♀️

Clifty Falls state park

Small campgrounds,but the park makes it worth the small campgrounds

Small but clean campgrounds 

My daughter and I stayed in the NON-electric loop, site 122 on this most recent trip. This site was very well shaded but did not have a lot of grassy areas. This loop has a really nice shower house and restroom facility centrally located in the loop. Sites are sectioned off by a strip of non-mowed tall grass for privacy. Both electric and non-electric loops are very will maintained. The park is a beautiful park with lots of hiking, 3 waterfalls, a cave, nature center and inn/restaurant. There is also a very nice pool located close to the campground. There is a walking trail to the pool from the electric loop. I have stayed at Clifty Falls State Park since I was a kid and I will continue to visit the park.

Father/ Daughter Trip

Clifty Falls is a beautiful State Park we’ve been two three times in the last year. It’s my boyfriend &amp; my favorite spot and the first place we camped together. The park has 4 main big falls, all equally gorgeous and we’ve also found a few smaller falls. The park also has a tunnel that was supposed to be a railroad, which is interesting to walk through, but make sure to bring a flashlight. We love the park because it has some rough terrain that gives us a challenge and it doesn’t get too crowded. The grounds are beautifully kept and everyone is friendly. We’ve introduced a few friends to the park, and We will definitely be there many more times in the future including after we have a family of our own! Love love this park!!

Beautiful falls, some rough terrain, not too crowded

I was kinda disappointed by the views of the waterfalls. We hiked over 9 miles and it was amazing but being able to see the actual falls was a challenge. But overall the campground was kept very nice.

Waterfalls. 

great visit at this park! downtown Madison is a beautiful old town, with a newer northern section of town. "Old madison" is full of events when scheduled correctly. This last weekend 7-7-18 and 7-8-18 we spent time at the Regatta boat races and camping. Great events, great camping, plenty of hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls! 

Clifty falls of Madison Indiana

Awesome place for water sports and fishing!

On the Ohio River

Regatta on the Ohio 2018
awesome event I partake in every year. Big name bands, amazing boats, incredible speed rooster tails, and amazing food.  MUST GO

Regatta night 

This campground is located in the shadow of Madison, IN. There are trails for all levels of expertise.

Te reason I gave this park a 3 is because the campground was not mown when we got there, calf deep grass, and the person at the campground gate handed us a map, and that was it, no hello, how are you, zip. In general the staff was not overly friendly or approachable.

Hving said the above, we totally enjoyed the trails, falls, and other sites to see around the park. I would recommend this park to anyone. We will go back. We didn't see everything in the area even though we were there5 days…

Beautiful Area

The trails is this park are long, but lead you through some of the most amazing sites to see. The shorter trails are pretty simple and loop you around to where you began. I would suggest that if you have kids, that they enjoy hiking. The camping was pretty nice. The shaded areas are worth it considering that many of the sites are in the open and get more than plenty of direct sun. The showers and bathrooms in the powered section are ok, nothing pretty to look at. The showers i. The non-powered campsites are amazing! They are well ventilated and have plenty of sinks and shower stalls. It’s a short trip to the front checking office for wood and ice, and a great place for your little bike riders while you sit back and relax. Most everything is a short drive to and from. The pool in the park is pretty nice with a slide and diving boards, but does cost to enter. The power sites are pretty big and are spread out pretty well. Overall it is a place we plan to revisit in the future. 

Pretty Cliffty

To take a break and unwind from your everyday work life / family drama, walking the trails of Clifty Falls is really a way to clear your head. We saw two groups of people walking the trails. They are absolutely the most friendliest people. If you want to engage in a conversation, you can, or I’m sure people will notice if you wanna just do your thing in nature. 

I would recommend going, absolutely! It’s an experience you can’t take back. 

Oh and I would tell you about the actually Trail to the Falls, but you’ll just have to see it for yourself. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen at the end of the movie, haha!!

Adventures At Clifty Falls

We stayed here 1 night driving through, but really enjoyed our time.  We were in site 50 in the trees.  It appeared most of the other sites were out in the open and close together.  Our site didn't have a water hook-up.  But we filled our fresh water tank at the shower house.  We hiked to the falls and tunnel.  Next time we'll bring a flashlight and go all the way through the tunnel.

  

Close to Madison, IN.  We ate dinner at Shipley's Tavern and had really great burgers.  This was a fun stop we want to come back to.

Beautiful State Park

We booked a last minute non-electric site for the night in out TT.  We have family in the area so that was the primary purpose of this trip but we have visited Clifty several times and stayed at the hotel once.  There is a really nice outdoor pool (extra fee) but the highlight is all the hiking in the park.  Lots of waterfalls, caves and even though you are basically in town it feels miles away.  This trip we were there at about peak fall colors and it was amazing.  We will be back again (probably yearly) and will stay here.

  

PROS: Awesome state park for hiking, exploring and an outdoor pool.  Most sites are pretty spread out for a state park.  Facilities and camp sites are clean; indoor restroom with warm showers.  On site hotel has gift shop and restaurant.  Close to historic Madison and the Ohio River offering many things to do.  Couple playgrounds for kids and a nature center with educational programs.  They sell firewood at the campground check in kiosk.  One vehicle per site but there is an overflow are at the campground entrance.  Laundry facility is also at the campground.

  

CONS: Some spots are on top of each other, mostly in non-electric area and as most IN State Parks, no water hook-up, you have to fill your tank.

  

Ideal spots would be electric loop - 31-36 (a side loop, no thru trafic) or 14-28/93-104 (back of the loop, more in shade, less traffic).

Nice State Park Campground

I've grown up with this state park and it seems to get more beautiful throughout the years. The observation tower is my absolute favorite spot in this park. It has a breathtaking view of the Historic Downtown Madison

 breathtaking view

Most RV spots are great in terms of spacing. Fire pit. Electrical plug-in. Firewood at Park Office. Grey/black water dump station. Flushing toilets. Hot showers. Dogs allowed on leash. Boasts many trails from the park. Quiet and respectful neighbors.  Take the time to hike the upper end of the park.  So worth it. 

Huge campground within a huge park

Stayed at lot 115 (non-electric), from April 28-May 2. It rained SO much the first night and the next day, and the fire pit retained a lot of water, so be prepared for that if you get rain. Bathrooms were actually very nice and clean! Showers lukewarm but that’s to be expected. Easy walking distance from a mowed pathway in the back. Staff was friendly and helpful with firewood purchases and checking in. Overall, highly recommend the camp and the park! 

Amazing campground!

Stopped here on a COVID solo camping road trip from MN to TN. I chose to stop and stay at Clifty Falls State Park due to the beautiful waterfalls and also proximity to my journey south. It was still the winter season at this time, so I had to camp in the drive-in non-electric loop. As I was only staying for 1 night, I could not book in advance and just paid via cash in the drop box when I got there. I chose site #166. I knew rain was coming and looked up to avoid any "widowmakers" in the trees above and chose a spot to pitch my tent. Fast forward to morning, and the rain had come. SO. MUCH. RAIN. It was laughable. Definitely tested out my DWR on my tent and gear. However, the massive amount of rain made for very amazing waterfalls. Some sections were closed because of the winter season, and it was pouring all morning, but I had a great time at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, IN. The solitude was very enjoyable.

  

4 stars because campsites are close together in the loop I stayed in (not that it mattered to me mid-week in late February), some campsites are prone to flooding, and then there is the power plant located across the street from the south entrance which does detract from the vibe when it's in sight. Other things to note: newly remodeled heated bathroom with flush toilet and shower.

Late February Beautiful Rainy 1 Night Tent Camping Trip

We went in May for my birthday.  Rained hard one day so our time was short. Ugh... 
First campground.  Drive up, clean, semi secluded, bathrooms with running water/shower, nice little spot. 
Now the state park!!!! 
Seemingly endless trails, 6-7 waterfalls? We only experienced a couple this time. Very rough trails available,  bat caves, tours, plenty to do for everyone! 

A must go back camping trip!

 This place is a neat little campground. The campground is right near a river and there are a bunch of little waterfalls in the area that you can hike to. We stayed in a tent but there’s a bunch of electric sites for RVs as well. Bathrooms weren’t bad and had showers. Sites were large and flat, but some seemed a little close together. 

  

Definitely check out the clifty falls hike. We also liked the tunnel falls and little clifty falls trails. Hiking was the highlight of our stay. We had an awesome time here!

Nice campground with awesome hiking 

We decided to go on a waterfall tour in Indiana. Clifty Falls State park was at the top of our list. Unfortunately when we went, the falls were very dry. In fact we only saw one of the two we visited. The other two falls you have to hike to, and sadly we just weren’t prepared to hike that day.

Park is beautiful though and we will definitely be visiting next year. 

Beautiful park, prepare to hike to see most of the falls

Many state park campgrounds are similar to this one. Tight quarters, lots of sun, and a lottery of who will be your neighbor. 
Admittedly, we were here on a holiday weekend. It was packed!
They keep small sections of thick brush between sites for privacy and that is appreciated. But there are few sites with shade trees. 

On the plus side- 
the trails are beautiful and we’re not crowded. The nearby town of Madison is absolutely lovely. The park also had newer facilities. 

The cons-
Tight spaces. 
Limited shade.
Limited staff to clean the new facilities. There were times where they ran out of toilet paper. Plus push button showers with no temp control. 

Crowded state park with beautiful trails 

Great Park! We stayed 2 nights on our first camp of the season. Quiet camp ground with a newer bathhouse that contains single show

First visit!

The sites suck not level  the shower is new but sucks push. It to  die 25 seconds of water that’s like being pissed on  the electric situation is poor 30 amp old not maintained  the park was put in about 1919 the trails use to be awesome.  Now the use to be well groomed trails that were bordered by hand built  stone walls have been replaced by half assed wooden  decks with steps that were built  by Hellen Keller  “ridiculous “   They have a 9.00 entry fee  on top of the camping fee they cut the grass every day we were there Turing the park into a scalped dust bowel. Again “ridiculous “ they had a few sites that we’re supposed to be persons with disabilities friendly.   Their is No sell service.  Every one was wondering around looking for service. “ I though that was funny” No WiFi   That didn’t bother us. But several folks around us were miffed  camp store. Was a joke and was only open maybe Friday Saturday and Sunday. Possibly  Maybe.  “What ever that means “  the dump station. Is a cluster F#%*¥  was a tight fit for the 3 campers in front of us.  Who had 28 ft to 35 ft campers.    Just a dirt pull off close to trees with a tight turn to exit.  Only one side could be used at a time. Or you would block the campground Exit.  So not very well planned out  

Clifty falls state park

Clifty falls state park in Indiana, a beautiful park, somewhat challenging beautiful hiking trails, could be great, if a little more attention was paid to it on the campsite end. 
But first I’d like to address the fact that I had to pay the $9 fee to drive I to the park, although having already booked and paid for a campsite. I guess we call that the “Indiana angle”, as I’ve seen it in other Indiana parks but no where else. 
Having entered, it looked to be a beautiful clean place, but you get the impression all the dirt was swept under the carpet rather than actually picked up. The bathrooms were dated, a little dirty and the showers weee an embarrassment. The push button for water style gave us literally 10 seconds of water, if you’re lucky, before you had to push again. I believe in water conservation too but come on, we pain for this. 
Bathrooms were clean, but not spotless, maybe it’s in the weekly clean schedule instead of the daily, as we went in October. 
I question the validity of these reviews sometimes also, as cell signal was rated good for both ATT and Verizon, of which we had both, and both were spotty at best. 
But the actual park, spectacular hiking, challenging treks, and multiple choices made it worthy of 5 stars. The actual waterfalls were but a trickle in October but the sheer rock walls, steep cliffs and fall colors made for many camera friendly views. 