There’s no question Kentucky is a waterfall wonderland, boasting some of the tallest, rarest, most wondrous falls on the planet. And it’s not all quality over quantity, either; within the Kentucky Wildlands region alone, there are over 800 jaw-dropping waterfalls! And while we here at Only In Kentucky love to sing the praises of our state’s glorious cascades, we wanted to see what our readers had to say on this very important topic, too. We polled fans on our Only In Kentucky Facebook page and our Kentucky Nature Lovers Facebook group, and the following 11 natural wonders showed up again and again as the best and most breathtaking waterfalls in Kentucky.
- Dog Slaughter Falls
Nick Harrington/Kentucky Nature Lovers First and foremost, no list of breathtaking waterfalls in Kentucky would be complete without Dog Slaughter Falls. An easy, breezy two-mile hike leads you straight to this beautiful oasis, which doubles as a waterfall swimming hole in the warmer months! Dog Slaughter Falls, Kentucky 40769, USA
- Anglin Falls
Lisa Dreager/Kentucky Nature Lovers Another short-and-sweet trek, the two-mile trail to Anglin Falls is absolutely glorious, especially during the height of fall foliage in Kentucky. Anglin Falls, Kentucky 40456, USA
- Floracliff Nature Sanctuary Waterfalls
Ute Keathley/Kentucky Nature Lovers Floracliff Nature Sanctuary is a 346-acre nonprofit nature preserve located in the ever-beautiful Kentucky River Palisades region. After a healthy rainfall or post-winter snow melt, numerous cascades pop up along the picturesque trails, making this a favorite for in-the-know waterfall chasers. Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd, Lexington, KY 40515, USA
- Grotto Falls
Ken Parish via Only In Kentucky Grayson Lake is our favorite kayaking lake in Kentucky, thanks in large part to its hidden Grotto Falls. In fact, kayakers can even paddle behind the falls, which makes for a wholly memorable, one-of-a-kind waterfall chasing experience. Grayson Lake, Kentucky, USA
- Lava Falls
Jennyfer Durbin Basham via Only In Kentucky The Van Hook Falls Trail is brimming with beautiful sights, including the ever-lovely Lava Falls. At nearly six miles long, this hike is definitely not easy, but the views are 100% worth each and every step! Vanhook Falls Trailhead, 13307 W Laurel Rd, London, KY 40741, USA
- Jessamine Creek
Kay Ellenberg Hazelwood via Only In Kentucky Hidden along the Jessamine Creek Trail is a lesser known gorge in Central Kentucky that’s breathtakingly beautiful and home to some truly extraordinary geological wonders. While hiking the eponymous 2.1 mile trail through the preserve, you’ll pass by babbling creeks, hidden caverns, and several trickling waterfalls. Jessamine Creek, Kentucky, USA
- Mystery Falls
Jim Ledford via Only In Kentucky Accessible only by boat or kayak, Mystery Falls is easily one of the most glorious hidden gem waterfalls in Kentucky. A beautiful waterfall in a beautiful spot, no one who makes the effort to visit Mystery Falls ever leaves disappointed. 269 Alley Hughes Rd, Monticello, KY 42633, USA
- Pine Island Double Falls
Michael Ledford via Only In Kentucky Double your waterfall chasing pleasure at Pine Island Double Falls, a dramatic, dynamic duo of beautifully blue cascades located within Daniel Boone National Forest. London, KY, USA
- Stargem Falls
Mervin Wood via Only In Kentucky One of the myriad McCreary County waterfalls, Stargem Falls features one glorious plunge that, after a rainfall, positively roars into the blue pool below. McCreary County, KY, USA
- Tioga Falls
Sarah Smith via Only In Kentucky The Tioga Falls Trail is just two miles long, making this eponymous waterfall an accessible adventure for waterfall chasers of all abilities. Fun fact: at 130 feet, Tioga Falls are even taller than Kentucky’s tallest waterfall, but Tioga is broken up into a series of cascades, so the title technically belongs to Yahoo Falls. Tioga Falls Trail, Louisville Nashville Turnpike, West Point, KY 40177, USA
- Cumberland Falls
Larry Thomas via Only In Kentucky Last, but certainly not least, we have Cumberland Falls, Kentucky’s very own Niagara of the South. A massive and majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River, this is the second-largest waterfall in Kentucky – but there’s nothing “second place” about this incredible waterfall. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
What do you think is the most breathtaking waterfall in Kentucky? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to join the conversation on our Kentucky Nature Lovers page!
Nick Harrington/Kentucky Nature Lovers
First and foremost, no list of breathtaking waterfalls in Kentucky would be complete without Dog Slaughter Falls. An easy, breezy two-mile hike leads you straight to this beautiful oasis, which doubles as a waterfall swimming hole in the warmer months!
Dog Slaughter Falls, Kentucky 40769, USA
Lisa Dreager/Kentucky Nature Lovers
Another short-and-sweet trek, the two-mile trail to Anglin Falls is absolutely glorious, especially during the height of fall foliage in Kentucky.
Anglin Falls, Kentucky 40456, USA
Ute Keathley/Kentucky Nature Lovers
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary is a 346-acre nonprofit nature preserve located in the ever-beautiful Kentucky River Palisades region. After a healthy rainfall or post-winter snow melt, numerous cascades pop up along the picturesque trails, making this a favorite for in-the-know waterfall chasers.
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd, Lexington, KY 40515, USA
Ken Parish via Only In Kentucky
Grayson Lake is our favorite kayaking lake in Kentucky, thanks in large part to its hidden Grotto Falls. In fact, kayakers can even paddle behind the falls, which makes for a wholly memorable, one-of-a-kind waterfall chasing experience.
Grayson Lake, Kentucky, USA
Jennyfer Durbin Basham via Only In Kentucky
The Van Hook Falls Trail is brimming with beautiful sights, including the ever-lovely Lava Falls. At nearly six miles long, this hike is definitely not easy, but the views are 100% worth each and every step!
Vanhook Falls Trailhead, 13307 W Laurel Rd, London, KY 40741, USA
Kay Ellenberg Hazelwood via Only In Kentucky
Hidden along the Jessamine Creek Trail is a lesser known gorge in Central Kentucky that’s breathtakingly beautiful and home to some truly extraordinary geological wonders. While hiking the eponymous 2.1 mile trail through the preserve, you’ll pass by babbling creeks, hidden caverns, and several trickling waterfalls.
Jessamine Creek, Kentucky, USA
Jim Ledford via Only In Kentucky
Accessible only by boat or kayak, Mystery Falls is easily one of the most glorious hidden gem waterfalls in Kentucky. A beautiful waterfall in a beautiful spot, no one who makes the effort to visit Mystery Falls ever leaves disappointed.
269 Alley Hughes Rd, Monticello, KY 42633, USA
Michael Ledford via Only In Kentucky
Double your waterfall chasing pleasure at Pine Island Double Falls, a dramatic, dynamic duo of beautifully blue cascades located within Daniel Boone National Forest.
London, KY, USA
Mervin Wood via Only In Kentucky
One of the myriad McCreary County waterfalls, Stargem Falls features one glorious plunge that, after a rainfall, positively roars into the blue pool below.
McCreary County, KY, USA
Sarah Smith via Only In Kentucky
The Tioga Falls Trail is just two miles long, making this eponymous waterfall an accessible adventure for waterfall chasers of all abilities. Fun fact: at 130 feet, Tioga Falls are even taller than Kentucky’s tallest waterfall, but Tioga is broken up into a series of cascades, so the title technically belongs to Yahoo Falls.
Tioga Falls Trail, Louisville Nashville Turnpike, West Point, KY 40177, USA
Larry Thomas via Only In Kentucky
Last, but certainly not least, we have Cumberland Falls, Kentucky’s very own Niagara of the South. A massive and majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River, this is the second-largest waterfall in Kentucky – but there’s nothing “second place” about this incredible waterfall.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
On the hunt for the tallest waterfalls in Kentucky? The Bluegrass State is home to some truly majestic marvels sure to satisfy the most acute waterfall chasing wanderlust.
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