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| Anderson Falls - Columbus Indiana |
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| Exploring Indiana's Historic Sites, Markers & Museums South Central Edition |
Anderson Falls is a fourteen-foot waterfall that is almost one hundred feet wide on the Fall Fork of Clifty Creek. The falls formed because of a layer of Louisville Limestone overlying a less resilient layer of Waldron Shale. Visitors will see an impressive flow of water cascade over the falls, especially in the winter, spring and early summer when rainfall is abundant. The falls offers easy access as it is right along the road, adjacent to the parking area. A paved trail affords visitors a good view of it and a path down allows visitors to view the base.
Fall Fork Clifty Creek
The Fall Fork of Clifty Creek rises in Decatur County just west of Greensburg east of County Road 350 W and Indiana State Road 46 and south of Base Road. It flows through Decatur County and into Bartholomew, finally entering Clifty Creek southwest of Hartsville.
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| Fall Fork of Clifty Creek in Bartholomew County |
Fall Fork of Clifty Creek in Bartholomew County
Length - About 3 miles
It flows into Bartholomew County from Decatur County between County Road 200 N and County Road 300 N after crossing County Road 1200 E. It crosses County Road 200 N twice before flowing northwest to its junction with Clifty Creek southwest of Hartsville and a little north of Indiana State Road 46.
Whitewater enthusiasts will find a whitewater rafting trail on this creek. The put in is at the western crossing of County Road 200 N. The take out spot is just above Anderson Falls. This is a 1.3-mile difficult run.
The Park
Purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 1977, the Bartholomew County Park Board now manages the forty-four acre Anderson Falls Nature Preserve. Thick forests surround the falls and a rich diversity of wildflowers populate the forest floor and canyon sides. The classic beech/maple forest also includes shagbark hickory, white oak and buckeye trees. The best time to visit for wildflowers is in the spring. Birdwatchers will delight in the abundant bird population that includes songbirds, hawks and woodpeckers. The park includes a picnic area, pit toilets and a nature trail.
Nature Trail
The trail network around the falls provides a wonderful hike. This area is actually the nature preserve and is open to the public. The moderate trail passes through the forest described earlier and in places offers a good view of the falls.
Note: the trail may be inaccessible, as hikers must cross the creek above or below the falls to access it.
Summer Wading
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| Wading Fall Creek |
During the summer months, visitors to the falls may wade in the cool, rocky waters for some distance above the falls. On weekends, many locals visit the falls to cool off in the cascading waters.
Getting There
Visitors will find Anderson Falls about eight miles east of Columbus, Indiana on County Road 1140 E. To get to Anderson Falls, drive east from Columbus on Indiana State Road 46. About 1.35 miles from the SR 46 intersection with Indiana State Road 9 you will come to a little town called Newbern. About .6 miles from Newbern, you will want to turn right on County Road 925 E. After driving a very short distance, the road makes a ninety degree turn and becomes County Road 200 N. About 2.11 miles after this turn you will reach County Road 1140 E. Turn left. The parking lot is on the left, the falls is on the right.
Anderson Falls
County Road 1140 E
Bartholomew County, Indiana
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