Cagles Mill Lake was Indiana's first reservoir property! Home to Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, this lake is the perfect place for extroverts and introverts.
Cagles Mill Lake is a study in duality. For instance, it goes by two names: Cagles Mill Lake and sometimes Cataract Lake. It also contains two state recreation areas: Lieber and Cataract Falls. These two properties are as different as you can get! Lieber State Recreation Area, the extroverted side of the lake, is filled with camping, water activities, an aquatic center, hiking and outdoor recreation areas. Cataract Falls is a quieter, slower-paced side, where you'll find the state's largest waterfall, a covered bridge, hiking trail, scenic overlooks, and picnicking spots. No matter which side of the property you visit, you'll find beauty and engaging activities for everyone.
IN the Podcast Episode
I interviewed park staff and volunteers to learn about the history of Cagles Mill Lake. The area is significant historically because of the Ten O’clock Line Treaty. The land was once the home of the Miami nation, but after years of conflict, they were eventually forced into signing a treaty to give up much of the land to Indiana as it entered statehood. The line where Miami territory ended and Indiana began was known as the Ten O'clock Line because the treaty was literally signed at 10 a.m., and they used the shadow from a tree to draw the boundary line. With the state's boundaries extended, white settlers were quick to fill the area, and small unincorporated communities like Cunot and Cataract were formed.
Listen to Cagles Mill Lake: Lieber & Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, A Lake for Extroverts and Introverts on Apple or Spotify.
I learned about the dam’s history too. In 1953, it was the first reservoir built in the state by the Army Corps of Engineers. Mostly, I discovered what makes each side of the lake distinct and why there’s something for the introverts and the extroverts here!
Park Features
Cagles Mill Lake features two state recreation areas, and each SRA has a distinct personality. At Cataract Falls, you’ll discover two amazing waterfalls, each with a small picnic area and shelter. The Upper Falls also have a playground and a red covered bridge. Visitors can drive from one waterfall to the other or hike about a mile from the Upper to the Lower Falls.
Lieber SRA includes camping, beach access, boat rentals, hiking, an aquatic center, a nature center, and plenty of space for picnics and pick-up games of soccer, basketball, or beach volleyball. You can also drive over to the dam and hike the trail near the Army Corps of Engineers’ office.
Lieber SRA: The Extroverted Side
Lieber SRA is named for Colonel Richard Lieber, the man who formed the Indiana state park system in 1916. Lieber was a German immigrant who came to Indianapolis in 1891. Trips to Yosemite and the Rocky Mountains developed his love for conservation, and he soon became an influential voice in the movement. It was for Indiana's 100th birthday that Lieber thought a state park system would be the best gift for Hoosiers. Naming Lieber SRA after Richard Lieber is quite an honor, and the reservoir is deserving because if you're looking for a wide variety of activities, this is an amazing place!
Hannah Gastineau, the assistant property manager, gave me a few more details about Lieber SRA’s features. For instance, there’s a pool and a beach, which is a unique combination. She also shared that while the reservoir has been around since the 1950s, they’re still looking for ways to keep it new. One way they’re doing this is by putting in new trails. Park volunteer Jim Walter said, “The Trout Lily Trail, we just finished or just opened it last year with the help of the Hoosier Trail Builders. They’re a group that goes around and helps build trails. So they came down to help us and then to train us on trail building.” Jim told me there's been approval for another trail as well, so a year from now, be looking for even more places to hike.
Jim is part of the Friends of Lieber SRA volunteer group. He works with other members to improve the park and fundraise for projects that go beyond the scope of the state’s budget. They’ve redone the bird viewing area at the nature center and planted native flowers around the park. To fundraise for their projects, the Friends group hosts engaging events at the campground like ice cream socials and the annual Labor Day fireworks show.
Like most state parks, Lieber knows how to do Halloween right. Hannah told me, “Campground trick-or-treating in general is awesome… You don't have to do hardly any walking, and you get all this candy, and everybody's participating because they're there for the event.” People in the community, and of course the campers themselves, all look forward to that weekend. At Christmas, you can also find a winter lights display in the campground. Lieber is definitely the more extroverted side of the lake!
Cataract Falls: The Introverted Side
If you're more on the introverted side, I recommend visiting Cataract Falls. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Lieber to Cataract Falls which is on the southern side of Cagles Mill Lake. Jim summed up what you'll find there perfectly. He said, “Some people like activity, and they like all of that going on… And some people like…a little more slowed down pace of the falls.” When I heard there were two legit waterfalls in Indiana, I was really excited to visit!
At Cataract Falls, I discovered Jim was right. As much as I love being active and hiking, I stood watching the waterfall for a long time. Hannah told me Cataract Falls is the headwaters to the lake and by volume, it’s the biggest waterfall in the state. There are upper and lower falls, and you can wade in some parts of the creek between them. The Upper Falls are more like stair steps, and the Lower Falls have a sharper, more pronounced vertical drop.
In addition to the awe-inspiring waterfalls, the exposed creek beds are equally impressive. Hannah reassured me that exploring these sections is allowed, but use common sense. She said, “You can fish and wade within the creek portions, but fishing and playing and swimming in the actual waterfall is not allowed, just the creek.” Between their height and the volume of water, staying off the falls is a safety issue. Plus, it helps preserve their beauty. Thankfully, I found plenty of amazing photo spots and was able to soak up all the scenery of the roaring falls, gently flowing creek, and unique geology.
Planning Your Visit
Cagles Mill Lake is a great reservoir to visit any time of the year. In the summer, Lieber SRA will take care of your water needs through swimming, boating, or kayaking. State recreation areas also offer hunting for those interested in visiting in cooler weather. Cataract Falls is awesome to visit in the winter. The waterfalls make for dramatic photo opportunities when there are massive icicles! I also went in the spring after a week of heavy rain, and there was nothing like the roar of the water as it rushed down the creek. In the summer, when the water is low, there’s great creek stomping.
At Cagles Mill Lake, the oldest reservoir can still feel new. While the lake may be the original, there's nothing outdated or archaic about it. Instead, you'll find a place eager to carry on the legacy with which they've been entrusted. Extrovert or introvert, this reservoir will remind you why the parks were created.
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