Cumberland Falls & the moonbow
A 125-foot-wide curtain of water, a moonbow on clear full-moon nights, and miles of trails outside Corbin.
The falls
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is at 7351 Highway 90, outside Corbin. Kentucky State Parks calls the falls the "Niagara of the South": a 125-foot curtain of water dropping about 60 feet into a boulder-strewn gorge. Overlooks near the visitor area make it easy to see, even with little ones.
Seeing the moonbow
Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world known for regularly producing a moonbow, a rainbow formed by moonlight in the mist. According to the park, it can appear for about two days on either side of a full moon, but only when the sky is clear. The park publishes a yearly moonbow schedule on its official page.
A moonbow is never guaranteed. Clouds, haze and water levels all play a part.
Trails and nearby waterfalls
The park lists 17 miles of hiking trails, and its Moonbow Trail connects to backpacking trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Eagle Falls (park Trail 9) starts across KY 90. Nearby Forest Service trails include the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail and the Bark Camp Trail, and the long-distance Sheltowee Trace runs through the area.
Forest Service trails sometimes close after storms; part of the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail has had a closure. Check the Daniel Boone National Forest alerts page before you go. Pets aren't allowed on the park's McCreary County side, which is a state nature preserve.
More to do at the park
The park lists guided horseback rides, gem mining, a seasonal pool, birding, tours of the 1937 Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower and a gift shop. Rafting trips below the falls are run by outside outfitters. DuPont Lodge, with its hemlock beams and stone fireplaces, has the Riverview Restaurant.
Planning tips
- Check the park's moonbow schedule and the weather before a night visit, and bring a flashlight.
- Wear shoes with grip. Rocks near the water are slick.
- Stay behind railings and out of the river above the falls.
Questions visitors ask
When can you see the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?
According to Kentucky State Parks, the moonbow can appear for about two days before and after a full moon when the sky is clear. The park publishes a yearly schedule. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How big is Cumberland Falls?
Kentucky State Parks describes it as a 125-foot-wide curtain of water falling about 60 feet into the gorge below.
Can we bring our dog to Cumberland Falls?
Pets are not allowed on the park's McCreary County side, which is a state nature preserve. Check the park's rules for other areas.