Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Creek cuts fossil-rich shale and limestone into a steep canyon where seasonal falls, stone overlooks, a railroad tunnel, and Ohio River views reward careful route choice.
Artwork inspired by Clifton Wheeler
Clifty Falls is a geology park before it is a waterfall checklist. Clifty Creek and tributaries expose stacked rock, fossils, and narrow ravines as they descend toward the Ohio River. The named falls can shrink to threads in dry weather or become forceful after rain; trails, overlooks, and the unfinished nineteenth-century railroad tunnel remain worthwhile across those changes.
Use current water and trail conditions to choose between rim overlooks and canyon routes. Several paths are steep, rocky, and slick, and the tunnel’s seasonal bat closure and darkness require respect. Fossil collecting inside the park is prohibited even where fossils are abundant. Pair a strenuous route with the accessible Clifty Falls overlook or the inn’s Ohio River view rather than trying to descend every trail.
- Falls
- Seasonal flow
- Geology
- Shale and limestone canyon
- Historic feature
- Unfinished railroad tunnel
Quick guide
- Check recent rain
- Waterfall volume and footing change quickly, but flashier water also means greater hazard.
- Choose rim or canyon
- Overlooks and descents create different visits; do not combine routes casually.
How to plan for variable water and fixed geology
- Check recent rain
- Waterfall volume and footing change quickly, but flashier water also means greater hazard.
- Choose rim or canyon
- Overlooks and descents create different visits; do not combine routes casually.
- Bring a real light
- Enter the railroad tunnel only when officially open and with reliable illumination.
- Leave fossils in place
- Observe exposed marine fossils without collecting from protected park land.
Good to know
Open daily 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Standard state-park vehicle fees apply. Multiple lots serve the inn, overlooks, and trailheads. An accessible overlook and color-vision viewers are available, but most canyon trails are steep and rocky. The tunnel closes seasonally for bats and can flood; verify status before entering.
Notice these
- Clifty Falls overlook
- Tunnel Falls and rail tunnel
- Ohio River views