Clifty Falls State Park

The park sits at the eastern edge of Madison where Clifty Creek has carved a deep gorge through ancient shale and limestone — rock the Indiana DNR dates to roughly 425 million years old, laid down when a shallow sea covered this part of the continent. The canyon holds four named waterfalls, and the DNR notes that their character shifts dramatically with weather and season, running from heavy, roaring plunges after rain to thin, frozen curtains in winter. A short rugged trail from the nature center parking lot reaches an Observation Tower with a direct sightline over the Ohio River, giving riders a reason to stretch their legs before or after tackling the curves of State Roads 56 and 62 that bracket the park's entrances.

For riders staying the night, Clifty Inn sits on the canyon rim and overlooks both the river and historic downtown Madison below — the same downtown whose 133-block National Historic Landmark District makes Madison the anchor town of the Ohio River Scenic Byway. One practical heads-up: Brough's Tunnel, an abandoned railroad bore that passes through the canyon wall, is currently closed due to a rockslide and unstable conditions at the entrance; check the park's website for current trail status before planning a full hiking itinerary around it. The park is open year-round, though admission is charged from March through October.