Spend The Day Exploring Dozens Of Waterfalls In Kentucky's Wildlands Region
By Sarah McCosham|Published December 28, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Here in the Bluegrass State, we’re always up for waterfall chasing. Whether it’s seeing roaring falls after a spring rain, swimming in a waterfall during the summer, or beholding a frozen fall in the winter, waterfall chasers have a lot to love in Kentucky. And in terms of the most bang for your buck, there’s one region in Kentucky that’s a veritable waterfall wonderland. Spanning 14,000 square miles in the southeastern corner of the state, the Kentucky Wildlands is an untamed region full of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and over 800 jaw-dropping waterfalls. We put together an itinerary for an epic day of waterfall chasing in the Kentucky Wildlands.
Encompassing 14,000 square miles and 41 counties in the southeast corner of the Bluegrass State, the Kentucky Wildlands is an area overflowing with natural beauty and splendor.
Touching four different states, the Kentucky Wildlands is seven times bigger than the Grand Canyon and larger than nine U.S. states. Most impressive? It's home to no less than 800 waterfalls.
The hundreds of waterfalls within the Kentucky Wildlands offer near-endless opportunities for waterfall chasing. Given the sheer size of this expanse, it's helpful to narrow your exploits to a particular region.
We're partial to the Daniel Boone National Forest, which is home to some of the state's most impressive waterfalls, including, of course, Cumberland Falls.
Just a stone's throw from Cumberland Falls, Eagle Falls awaits the admiration of waterfall chasers. This 44-foot cascade is small but quite captivating!
The fun doesn't end in Cumberland Falls, however. Dog Slaughter Falls is another resident of the Daniel Boone National Forest; a 15-foot fall located in the eponymous creek.
Last, but certainly not least, is the incredible Yahoo Falls. At 113 feet, this waterfall is the tallest in Kentucky, and it's nestled in the wondrous Daniel Boone National Forest.
The Yahoo Falls Trail is located in the beautiful Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area near Whitley City in McCreary County, an area avid hikers know and love.
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The waterfalls outlined here are just the beginning when it comes to the Kentucky Wildlands.
Even better? Waterfall chasing in the Kentucky Wildlands is a dynamic experience; depending on recent rainfall or snowmelt, heat, and trail conditions, you might discover new-to-you waterfalls along the way. How fun!
Have you explored the waterfalls of the Kentucky Wildlands region before? You’ll certainly need more than a day to see them all, but the above itinerary is a solid starting point.
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