Hiking Waterfalls in KentuckyJohnny Molloy
Walking guide
Hiking Waterfalls in Kentucky
Johnny Molloy · 2019
Kentucky waterfall hikes from a prolific guidebook author, including Cumberland Falls and nearby Eagle Falls.
United States · Appalachians, Kentucky
Cumberland Falls
One of the very few places in the Western Hemisphere where a consistent lunar rainbow, or 'moonbow,' forms in the spray on clear nights near the full moon. By day it's simply a broad, thundering curtain nicknamed the 'Niagara of the South.'
One of the few places on Earth with a regular moonbow Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Cumberland Falls drops 21 metres (69 ft) across a face roughly 38 metres wide on the Cumberland, inside Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. It is a block-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Corbin. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
As a block waterfall, a wide sheet of water falling from a broad river.
What you can do here
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
A visible 'moonbow' forms on clear nights around the full moon, best seen spring through fall.
Entry: Free park entry
Getting there
- Base town Corbin
- Country United States
- Region Appalachians, Kentucky, United States, North America
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Cumberland Falls
United States
Height21 mWidth38 m
Most similar
Borer's Falls
Canada
Height15 mWidth—
Also a block waterfall, of similar height and in Canada
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
15 m
21 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Borer's FallsCumberland FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Cumberland Falls
38 m
Angel Falls is 47× taller than Cumberland Falls. Victoria Falls is 5.1× taller and 45× wider. Khone Phapheng Falls is 284× wider. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Cumberland Falls
11:28
1:55
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
On the map
36.8394, -84.3419
Quick answers
Where is Cumberland Falls?
Cumberland Falls is in United States (Appalachians, Kentucky), inside Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The nearest base is Corbin. Its coordinates are 36.8394, -84.3419.
How tall is Cumberland Falls?
Cumberland Falls drops 21 metres (69 feet), across a face about 38 metres wide. It is a block-type waterfall on the Cumberland.
When is the best time to visit Cumberland Falls?
Peak flow is April to May and October to November. A visible 'moonbow' forms on clear nights around the full moon, best seen spring through fall.
What can you do at Cumberland Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: white-water rafting, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Cumberland Falls?
The usual base is Corbin. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Free park entry.
Nearby
Closest to Cumberland Falls
Ozone Falls
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Rockhouse Falls
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Cane Creek Falls
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