This Secluded Waterfall Trail In Indiana Is So Worthy Of An Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published December 13, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is home to loads of breathtaking natural wonders that never cease to amaze us. In every single county, you’ll find trails and adventures well worth doing again and again; if you’re anything like us, it’ll soon be hopeless. You’ll be unable to resist the lure of a day out hiking in Indiana’s beautiful wilderness. The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is tucked quietly away within Hoosier National Forest, and it’s a perfect example of the wonders of Indiana. It’s a little challenging, but 100% rewarding, and best of all, it’s short and sweet. This is one secluded waterfall trail in Indiana you can’t miss out on:
Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail goes right through one of the most beautiful, remote areas of the state.
It's a popular destination for lovers of Indiana's amazing wilderness to hike, explore, and reflect, and we have no doubt that once you visit for the first time, you'll want to stay forever. Hemlock Cliffs has a strange way of making itself at home in our hearts, and we are HERE for it!
The setting is a box canyon-like area tucked inside the woods.
Thanks to the canyon and other unique aspects of this region's geography, there are trees and foliage growing here that you won't find anywhere else in Indiana. For example, you'll find hemlock down here, as well as wintergreen, which is a rare find. Please don't remove any of these plants from this area - take nothing but photos, and leave nothing but footprints.
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There are a few gorgeous seasonal waterfalls on this hike; your best bet for capturing them at their best is during the spring when snow is melting and running off, or during summer and autumn after good, solid rainfalls.
The geology of the area is as interesting as the unique plant life. You'll find some small caves speckled throughout the landscape, and the canyon walls that surround you are made of sandstone. Beneath that there's plenty of limestone (which is something Indiana is famous for).
The trail is short, at just a little over a mile, and despite some points that are steep (which can be slippery when wet), it is, for the most part, a hiker-friendly adventure. Hikers of most skill levels ought to be able to conquer it in an hour or two, depending on how many times they stop to admire their surroundings.
It'll be next to impossible not to fall in love with your surroundings at Hemlock Cliffs.
It feels like a place right out of a fairy tale (or maybe a J.R.R. Tolkien story). During the warm months, it's lush, green, vibrant, and alive, and in the cold months, it becomes a winter wonderland complete with picture-perfect frozen waterfalls.
The trail is open year round and does get quite icy in the winter, so make sure to plan accordingly.
We strongly suggest dressing for cool to cold weather and wearing closed-toed shoes for this adventure; some spots are slippery, and at times they can be wet. Trust us, though, when we say that it's worth visiting during each season, just so you can get the full experience.
For more photos, reviews, a map, and all the information you’ll need to locate this gorgeous trail make sure to check out the official AllTrails website! Do you know of a secluded waterfall trail in Indiana – or ANY trail, really – that you just can’t get enough of? Tell us about it in the comments!
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