There are certain places throughout Kentucky that every local should visit at least once. These are the destinations that may even be considered tourist attractions, but are actually incredible highlights of our state that deserve the attention they receive. One natural wonder that should appear on this list is Cumberland Falls State Park, an immensely beautiful Kentucky State Park that is home to the largest waterfall in the state. There are actually many things to do around Cumberland Falls, and even more than this list of eight. But if you need a good place to start, check out some suggestions of can’t miss experiences when visiting the “Niagara of the South.”

  1. Stay at DuPont Lodge

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Historic DuPont Lodge is one of the most beautiful state park lodges in Kentucky. Its 51 rooms were all remodeled in 2006 and they are the perfect blend of modern and cozy. They offer beautiful views and staying here means you have easy access to many of the park’s amenities. DuPont Lodge, just like Cumberland Falls State Park, is one of those only-in-Kentucky spots that needs to be on your bucket list!

  1. Watch the sunrise

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park At least once during your visit, wake up early enough to watch the sun come up. If you do stay at the lodge, this view can be experienced from the back deck. This means you can also head out early and see the natural beauty of the area in that incredible morning light.

  1. Take a guided hike

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Like many other state parks in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls offers guided hikes throughout the year. One of the favorites is a tour of the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. While you can always hike to the base of the tower, you’ll want to keep an eye on the park’s Facebook page and website for tour opportunities to climb to the top.

  1. Take as many of the hiking trails as possible

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park There are actually 12 hiking trails throughout the park, and they all have something different to offer. Of course you’ll want to see the main features, but be sure to take a few other, lesser-known trails to see unique rock formations, historic bridges, and more.

  1. Hike to that “other waterfall” - Eagle Falls

Alltrails/Alice Beretta It may be called Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, but don’t miss out on a chance to hike to Eagle Falls. This is a beautiful, scenic trail that is also a favorite and includes some of the best views of Cumberland Falls, as well. Truly, the Eagle Falls Trail is a bucket-list must!

  1. Practice your photography skills

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Let’s just say that if you use your phone as a camera, make sure you have a lot of storage space available! You’ll want to capture the natural beauty of this area, which is spectacular all year long. The park even hosts photography contests throughout the year, so you may capture a winning shot!

  1. Witness the Moonbow in person

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Many visit Cumberland Falls just to experience the rare Moonbow, as this is one of the only places in the entire world to see one. If you can time your visit to see it firsthand, it’s sure to be a memorable moment. The park has all of the Moonbow dates for this year and the next couple of years listed on its website, just scroll down a bit.

  1. Don’t be afraid to visit in winter.

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park You can definitely expect a crowd along the trail to Cumberland Falls in the warmer months and into fall, but winter is such a great time to visit, as well! The flow of the waterfall is often powerful and it is especially scenic surrounded by snow or ice.

Of course, you’ll want to simply take the easy path to see the falls when you visit, but there are countless things to do around the falls themselves. If you have more time to spend in the area, be sure to explore and take advantage of all this park has to offer. Is Cumberland Falls one of your favorite places in Kentucky? Is it still on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Historic DuPont Lodge is one of the most beautiful state park lodges in Kentucky. Its 51 rooms were all remodeled in 2006 and they are the perfect blend of modern and cozy. They offer beautiful views and staying here means you have easy access to many of the park’s amenities. DuPont Lodge, just like Cumberland Falls State Park, is one of those only-in-Kentucky spots that needs to be on your bucket list!

At least once during your visit, wake up early enough to watch the sun come up. If you do stay at the lodge, this view can be experienced from the back deck. This means you can also head out early and see the natural beauty of the area in that incredible morning light.

Like many other state parks in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls offers guided hikes throughout the year. One of the favorites is a tour of the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. While you can always hike to the base of the tower, you’ll want to keep an eye on the park’s Facebook page and website for tour opportunities to climb to the top.

There are actually 12 hiking trails throughout the park, and they all have something different to offer. Of course you’ll want to see the main features, but be sure to take a few other, lesser-known trails to see unique rock formations, historic bridges, and more.

Alltrails/Alice Beretta

It may be called Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, but don’t miss out on a chance to hike to Eagle Falls. This is a beautiful, scenic trail that is also a favorite and includes some of the best views of Cumberland Falls, as well. Truly, the Eagle Falls Trail is a bucket-list must!

Let’s just say that if you use your phone as a camera, make sure you have a lot of storage space available! You’ll want to capture the natural beauty of this area, which is spectacular all year long. The park even hosts photography contests throughout the year, so you may capture a winning shot!

Many visit Cumberland Falls just to experience the rare Moonbow, as this is one of the only places in the entire world to see one. If you can time your visit to see it firsthand, it’s sure to be a memorable moment. The park has all of the Moonbow dates for this year and the next couple of years listed on its website, just scroll down a bit.

You can definitely expect a crowd along the trail to Cumberland Falls in the warmer months and into fall, but winter is such a great time to visit, as well! The flow of the waterfall is often powerful and it is especially scenic surrounded by snow or ice.

For more information on this Kentucky State Park, visit its website and follow along on Facebook.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY 40701, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cumberland Falls State Park August 19, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best hikes at Cumberland Falls State Park? With Cumberland Falls State Park being our most treasured Kentucky State Park, it should come as no surprise that one of our all-time favorite hikes in Kentucky is located here: the Cumberland Falls via Eagle Falls Trail. This trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that’s rated as moderate, and leads to two of the state’s most stunning waterfalls: Cumberland Falls and Eagle Falls. Talk about a twofer! In fact, like many other state parks in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls offers numerous guided hikes throughout the year. One of the favorites is a tour of the iconic Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. While you can always hike to the base of the tower, there are also tours that allow explorers to climb to the top! Be sure to follow Cumberland Falls on Facebook for upcoming tour dates. In total, there are 12 hiking trails throughout the park, and they’ll take you past some truly remarkable rock formations, historic bridges, and other impressive natural features. What are some other adventures to have at Cumberland Falls State Park? If you’re looking for a big adventure in Kentucky, you’ll find it at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Guided rafting, river tubing, and canoe trips are available, and for a thrilling expedition in the summer and fall seasons, you can actually go whitewater rafting right up to the falls on an excursion with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. The trip takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and covers about a mile of the river. While much of the float is calm and relaxing, you’ll also encounter some class I and II rapids along the way. The trip begins at the resort’s store at the Blue Heron Mining Community Depot in Stearns, which is a great area to explore before or after your float on the water.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cumberland Falls State Park

August 19, 2022

Sarah M.

What are the best hikes at Cumberland Falls State Park? With Cumberland Falls State Park being our most treasured Kentucky State Park, it should come as no surprise that one of our all-time favorite hikes in Kentucky is located here: the Cumberland Falls via Eagle Falls Trail. This trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that’s rated as moderate, and leads to two of the state’s most stunning waterfalls: Cumberland Falls and Eagle Falls. Talk about a twofer! In fact, like many other state parks in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls offers numerous guided hikes throughout the year. One of the favorites is a tour of the iconic Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. While you can always hike to the base of the tower, there are also tours that allow explorers to climb to the top! Be sure to follow Cumberland Falls on Facebook for upcoming tour dates. In total, there are 12 hiking trails throughout the park, and they’ll take you past some truly remarkable rock formations, historic bridges, and other impressive natural features. What are some other adventures to have at Cumberland Falls State Park? If you’re looking for a big adventure in Kentucky, you’ll find it at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Guided rafting, river tubing, and canoe trips are available, and for a thrilling expedition in the summer and fall seasons, you can actually go whitewater rafting right up to the falls on an excursion with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. The trip takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and covers about a mile of the river. While much of the float is calm and relaxing, you’ll also encounter some class I and II rapids along the way. The trip begins at the resort’s store at the Blue Heron Mining Community Depot in Stearns, which is a great area to explore before or after your float on the water.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

With Cumberland Falls State Park being our most treasured Kentucky State Park, it should come as no surprise that one of our all-time favorite hikes in Kentucky is located here: the Cumberland Falls via Eagle Falls Trail. This trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that’s rated as moderate, and leads to two of the state’s most stunning waterfalls: Cumberland Falls and Eagle Falls. Talk about a twofer! In fact, like many other state parks in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls offers numerous guided hikes throughout the year. One of the favorites is a tour of the iconic Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. While you can always hike to the base of the tower, there are also tours that allow explorers to climb to the top! Be sure to follow Cumberland Falls on Facebook for upcoming tour dates. In total, there are 12 hiking trails throughout the park, and they’ll take you past some truly remarkable rock formations, historic bridges, and other impressive natural features.

What are some other adventures to have at Cumberland Falls State Park?

If you’re looking for a big adventure in Kentucky, you’ll find it at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Guided rafting, river tubing, and canoe trips are available, and for a thrilling expedition in the summer and fall seasons, you can actually go whitewater rafting right up to the falls on an excursion with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. The trip takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and covers about a mile of the river. While much of the float is calm and relaxing, you’ll also encounter some class I and II rapids along the way. The trip begins at the resort’s store at the Blue Heron Mining Community Depot in Stearns, which is a great area to explore before or after your float on the water.