WaterfallNear Me

Cumberland Falls

McCreary County, Kentucky

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
McCreary County, Kentucky
Access status
Paved short walk from visitors center to overlooks; some platforms may close
The walk
About 0.54 mile return on paved path
Ground & access
Entirely paved, with steps down to lower platforms. Keep back from cliff edges. The park closes the trail during high water.
Kentucky Hiker: Ice Day at Cumberland Falls (January 2025)
Cumberland Falls, KY
Cumberland Falls, KY
Photo creditPhoto: ChrisKuehl, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cumberland Falls on the Cumberland River is the centerpiece of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. From the visitors center lot on KY 90, walk past the gift shop and restrooms along the river to the first viewing platform at the top of the falls, then continue and go down steps to further platforms. Some platforms close in winter or for safety work.

Plan your visit

Cumberland Falls Visitors Center lot on KY 90, paved walk along the river to the falls overlooks

Kentucky Hiker gives 0.54 mile out and back with about 30 feet of gain for this paved overlook route, measured to overlook #4.

Entirely paved, with steps down to lower platforms. Keep back from cliff edges. The park closes the trail during high water.

Where to start

Cumberland Falls Visitors Center lot on KY 90, with restrooms, gift shop and seasonal concessions.

Timing & water

Open year-round, but individual platforms may be closed for ice or repairs (two of four were closed in January 2025), and the park closes the trail in flooding.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is mentioned in the reviewed source.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Kentucky

Waterfall location

McCreary County, Kentucky.

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