Following trails to tranquil swimming holes and towering waterfalls is a warm-weather pastime most Southerners love, but impressive falls can be overcrowded or hard to find. Thanks to a newly unveiled waterfall trail in The Kentucky Wildlands, you can explore a wide variety of Kentucky waterfalls that fit your mood: some are unmarked, some are easy to access, some are swimmable, but all are ooh– and ahh-worthy. Add this new 17-stop waterfall trail to your travel bucket list.
No two waterfalls are alike on The Kentucky Waterfall Trail
The Kentucky Wildlands, a regional tourism destination that spans 41 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky, has launched a new waterfall trail just in time for spring waterfall season and summer trip planning.
Of the hundreds of magical waterfalls to chase in the area, The Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail highlights 17 unique, accessible, or noteworthy ones. “We are incredibly excited to debut this trail so that those unfamiliar with the area can better understand and navigate the diverse beauty of the Wildlands,” says Tammie Nazario, Director of The Kentucky Wildlands.
No two falls are alike, and the trail incorporates everything from wheelchair- and stroller-accessible hikes — like the one to Flat Lick Falls — to more challenging routes like the rocky scramble up to Eagle Falls. Let’s discover how this trail can fit your every outdoor mood.
A trail map to help you plan your Waterfall Trail trip
The nifty, well-designed waterfall guide contains valuable information like trail length, hike difficulty, and level of accessibility for each trail. It also highlights waterfalls with unique attributes, like the tallest waterfall, ADA-accessible waterfalls, and family-friendly trails. There’s also information about parking and the best seasons to visit.
The interactive website allows you to filter by region and hike difficulty. Maybe you want a more arduous out-and-back hike with some elevation and a serene watering hole at the end. Perhaps you’re in a “park the car and walk half a mile” mood. Or maybe you want one of both kinds of waterfalls near each other.
“We hope this easy-to-follow guide inspires people to plan a trip to experience some of the many waterfalls we have to offer,” Tammy adds.
Check off Kentucky’s most famous waterfall …
At 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide, Cumberland Falls is aptly nicknamed the “Niagara of the South.” Around 3,600 cubic feet of water spills over the rugged sandstone cliffs into the gorge below every second. The sights and sounds are nothing short of awe-inspiring, whether you take them in from above or from Cumberland Falls State Park below.
This is also one of only two places in the world where you can witness a rare moonbow during a full moon!
… and its tallest!
Also in McCreary County, Yahoo Falls spills from 113 feet above and is pretty easy to get to after a moderately easy hike through Big South Fork National Recreation. Ogle the views from the base or between the falls and one of the park’s largest rock houses.
Find a slice of serenity at a swimming hole
Looking for a more serene scene to spread a towel, open a book, or have a picnic? The Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail has lots of options! After a moderately strenuous three-mile hike, unwind under the carved rock overhangs near the translucent grottos of Lick Falls on Grayson Lake.
Dense hemlock, rhododendrons, and massive boulders flank the one-mile path to stunning Dog Slaughter Falls, and there’s a longer, slightly harder path you can also hike.
To reach another pool fabulous for wading and cooling off, venture into the rugged Red River Gorge to Creation Falls. The 1.4-mile out-and-back Rock Bridge Trail is one of the most visually breathtaking trails in the Gorge.
Take a more challenging hike to ancient sites and unmarked parts
Some waterfalls on the trail are tough to reach but worth the trek. The trail to the exquisite 40-foot Copperas Falls isn’t officially marked or maintained, but it’s a popular, well-worn route for hikers and campers. The moderately challenging 3.1-mile out-and-back trail leads to a hidden turquoise lagoon and a massive rock shelter that was once inhabited by Native Americans and is now an archeological site.
Whatever your water mood, the trail connects you to Kentucky’s natural wonder.
When The Kentucky Wildlands launched in 2020, we uncovered six reasons to explore this “hidden gem” of the South. With more than 14,000 square miles and 800 waterfalls in this part of Kentucky alone, it can be hard to plan a trip that packs a punch if you only have a few days.
The new trail makes it easy for explorers to cover many of The Kentucky Wildlands’ unspoiled terrain. And with a hefty dose of waterfall wonder to soothe your body and mind.
View the waterfall trail online here. You can download and print the map for reference and access photos of the falls, important details, and insider tips. To learn more about The Kentucky Wildlands’ natural beauty and wonder, visit ExploreKYWildlands.com.
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