Leiber State Recreation Area
Indiana’s Cataract Falls Gateway on Cagles Mill Lake — State Recreation Area on the Largest Flood-Control Reservoir in Indiana, Camping Boating Swimming and Fishing on 1,400-Acre Cagles Mill Lake, Gateway to Cataract Falls — Indiana’s Largest Waterfall by Volume, Swimming Pool and Aquatic Center Open Seasonally, Hiking Trails Through Hardwood Forest and Along the Lake Shoreline, Full-Service Campground With Electric Hookups and Modern Facilities, Near Cloverdale Putnam and Owen Counties West-Central Indiana
Lieber State Recreation Area is a state recreation area on 1,400-acre Cagles Mill Lake in Putnam and Owen counties, west-central Indiana, managed by Indiana DNR Division of State Parks. The recreation area features a full-service campground with electric hookups and modern facilities on the lakeshore, boating and fishing on Cagles Mill Lake — Indiana’s largest flood-control reservoir, a seasonal swimming pool and aquatic center, proximity to Cataract Falls — Indiana’s largest waterfall by volume, featuring both an upper and lower falls connected by a scenic trail, hiking trails through mixed hardwood forest and along the lake shoreline, a beach area and boat ramp for lake access, fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie, and a family-friendly recreation destination in the rolling hills of west-central Indiana.
Cataract Falls is the star attraction — the Upper Falls drops 20 feet and the Lower Falls drops 18 feet on Mill Creek, making the combined cascade Indiana’s largest waterfall by volume. A scenic trail connects both falls through a covered bridge and forested ravine.
Cagles Mill Lake was built for flood control but has become one of central Indiana’s favorite recreation lakes — the 1,400 acres of water provide ample space for boating, fishing, and swimming without the crowds of larger reservoirs.
Things to Do
- Cataract Falls — IN’s largest waterfall
- Camping — electric hookups
- Boating/fishing — 1,400-acre lake
- Swimming — pool, aquatic center
- Hiking — forest, shoreline trails
- Covered bridge — scenic trail
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Cloverdale, Putnam/Owen Counties, IN |
| Lake | Cagles Mill Lake — 1,400 acres |
| Waterfall | Cataract Falls — IN’s largest by volume |
| Camping | Full-service, electric hookups |
| Fishing | Bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie |
| Managed By | Indiana DNR — Division of State Parks |
| Coordinates | 39.5000° N, 86.8333° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Leiber SRA — on Cagles Mill Lake (1,400 acres). The area’s lake, hardwood forest, and creek support white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and great blue herons.
Nearby Attractions
Spencer — nearby. Owen County — surrounding. Cataract Falls — adjacent.
Where is Cataract Falls in Indiana?
Cataract Falls — Indiana’s largest waterfall by volume — is located near Lieber State Recreation Area on Cagles Mill Lake in Putnam and Owen counties. The Upper Falls drops 20 feet and the Lower Falls drops 18 feet, connected by a scenic trail through a covered bridge. Lieber SRA offers camping with electric hookups, boating and fishing on the 1,400-acre lake, and a seasonal swimming pool. Near Cloverdale, west-central Indiana.
The park is named for Colonel Richard Lieber, the father of Indiana state park system, who championed the creation of Indiana first state parks in the early 1900s. His vision of preserving natural areas for public recreation lives on in this recreation area that bears his name and continues to serve families across central Indiana.
Last updated: May 2026
