This Unbelievable Kentucky Waterfall Is Hiding In Plain Sight... No Hiking Required

A real waterfall can be one of the most powerful scenes in nature. Many of these beautiful natural wonders are seasonal, drying up during dry months. The waterfalls that can be seen year round tend to be larger, and honestly, more breathtaking. Our state has its share of seasonal falls, but many are several miles off the road on a hiking trail. Some are even located in perilous environments, such as trails with jagged, slippery rocks as you near the attraction. So what is a person to do if they want to see a majestic waterfall in Kentucky without taking a strenuous hike?

There is one majestic waterfall in Kentucky that flows all year, and you don’t have to break a sweat to see it:

Cumberland Falls

This well maintained state park at 7351 State Highway 90 in Corbin, is home to Cumberland Falls. It is also known as the Niagara of the South and Little Niagara. This beautiful attraction is unique for many reasons, starting with its size.

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The falls are 125 feet wide, and only 68 feet tall. A total of more than 3,600 cubic feet of powerful current carves a path over the sandstone edge every second. That is a crushing force to be reckoned with.

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The falls can be seen from platforms on top, several areas downstream, along with platforms and rocks at its base. Each one offers a unique visual of the incredible waterfall. From below you see the power with which the water crashes down. From above, you see the speed it goes over the edge. Down river, you can get a visual on the entire process.

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Cumberland Falls

The mighty Cumberland River is the backbone of the waterfall. Fortunately, it never actually runs dry, so the falls is always crashing down on the rocks below.

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Cumberland Falls has been featured in three different motion pictures. The most recent was "The Fire Down Below," with Steven Seagal. Prior to that "Raintree Country," with Elizabeth Taylor and "The Kentuckian," with Burt Lancaster were filmed there. The falls played its roll beautifully each time.

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The legend tells that a young couple were wed, and later that evening climbed to the cliff top on the falls for a picture. The bride, dressed in her wedding dress with the falls behind her seemed the perfect photo. She teasingly danced across the rocks for her husband, right over the edge, falling to her death. Now, occasionally visitors see her standing near the falls in her wedding dress.

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What is a moonbow? It is a very rare, but natural atmospheric phenomena that causes a lunar rainbow, AKA, a rainbow in the dark. It happens when the moon’s silvery beams reflect and refract off mist and water droplets. The conditions for such a miracle have to be exact, or else a moonbow will not be visible. Cumberland Falls is the only place in North America where you can see a real moonbow on a semi-regular basis. It is most likely to occur two days before and two days after the full moon.

1. Has anyone ever tried to go over the falls, like in a boat or barrel?

Yes. Over the years several people have went over Cumberland Falls using various methods, and survived. Some did on purpose; others did so purely on accident, much to their dismay. The most recent attempt involved two kayakers in March of 2016. The story was reported by local media. The Kayakers felt it was a grand rush, till they got arrested.

You can find out more about Cumberland Falls, including cabins and trails here. If you are a waterfall enthusiast, you may also enjoy this waterfall road trip we wrote about in February, complete with a map. The most majestic waterfall in Kentucky is featured along with several other gorgeous falls, though you’ll have to do a bit of walking to see all of them, excluding Cumberland Falls. The beauty of the water as it comes crashing down is worth it, especially if you snap a few good pictures as reminders!