Cumberland Falls

Cumberland Falls, sometimes called the Little Niagara, the Niagara of the South, or the Great Falls, is a waterfall on the Cumberland River in southeastern Kentucky. Spanning the river at the border of McCreary and Whitley counties, the waterfall is the central feature of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and is part of the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves designated Wild River System.
It is believed the current falls formed as the result of erosion from its original starting place at an escarpment far downstream. The site of the falls was occupied in pre-modern times by a variety of indigenous peoples, and more recently has passed through multiple private owners until eventually being donated, along with surrounding land to Kentucky in 1930.

It is the only site in the Western Hemisphere where a moonbow is regularly visible.  Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world that regularly produces a moonbow. The “moonbow,” also called a white rainbow or lunar rainbow, is formed just like a rainbow—light is refracted in tiny water droplets—and appears for the two or so days, as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon.

Where it is:

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a park located just southwest of Corbin, Kentucky and is contained entirely within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

GPS:

36°50’21.132″ N 84°20’40.206″ W

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

 

 

Hours:

The park is always open.

Cost:

There is no fee to visit Cumberland Falls.

 

Location Contact Information:

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
7351 Highway 90
Corbin, KY 40701
Phone:

606-528-4121

Email:

 

Facilities:

Riverview Restaurant
Open for dine in or carry out.

Breakfast 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Lunch 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Dinner 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Lodging
The solid hemlock beams and knotty pine paneling complement the massive stone fireplaces in historic DuPont Lodge, one of the most beautiful state park lodges. Fifty-one rooms offer beautiful views and full amenities including interior corridors. All rooms totally renovated in 2006. Interested in cabins? Don’t forget about the park’s other accommodations, including 25 cabins and cottages and 49 campsites.

 Photo Gallery

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More Photographic Destinations in Kentucky Interactive Google Map

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On October 17, 2020   /   Kentucky, Waterfalls