As a longtime Ohioan, I consider myself very lucky to live in a state with such wonderful outdoor recreation. Ohio has the Great Lakes and waterfalls, a national park and robust state parks system, bucolic countryside, and captivating caves. Yet, for most of my life, I've lived just a couple of hours from one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world — and no, it's not in Ohio.
I'm not talking about Mammoth Cave, the world's longest underground cavern system. I'm talking about Kentucky's Cumberland Falls, the "Niagara of the South" and one of the only places on the planet to regularly experience the natural phenomenon known as a moonbow. The waterfall is, of course, the headlining feature of the eponymous state park, a place many consider to be the crown jewel of the Kentucky State Parks.
Each month, visitors flock to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park for the opportunity to see the magnificent moonbow in person. The park releases a schedule based on the full moon schedule every year — the moonbow lingers above the falls for up to two days as long as the sky is clear on either end of the full moon. Check the schedule, book your accommodations, and plan a road trip to experience the elusive natural wonder for yourself, just like my husband and I did on a recent summer weekend.
Ready to explore more waterfalls beyond the state border? From jaw-dropping cascades to swimmable emerald ponds, there are countless magnificent waterfalls found across the United States to explore.
Go Chasing Waterfalls
This is Cumberland Falls. A place that needs no introduction, this 125-foot-wide "Niagara of the South" is a place everyone should experience, period.
Not only are the falls completely rapturous, but so is the entire Cumberland Falls State Resort Park *and* the Daniel Boone National Forest that encompasses this 1,657-acre Kentucky State Park.
It's a place I'd been wanting to explore for quite some time, and so, on a recent kid-free weekend, my husband and I – along with our 90-pound pup – set out to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park to do some waterfall chasing. After consulting the moonbow schedule on the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Facebook Page website, we arranged childcare (thanks, Mom McCosham) in hopes of seeing this natural phenomenon for ourselves.
We were hoping to stay in the iconic DuPont Lodge, but alas, it was completely booked up. Not only is this historic lodge a Kentucky icon, but the moonbow is an event folks from across the country – and world – seek out. As such, when the moonbow schedule is released each year, the accommodations at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park book up fast.
Happily, however, there are numerous accommodations in the area, and my husband and I were able to find a charming tiny house that fit our lodging needs for the trip. If you're open to RV camping or glamping, RVshare makes renting an RV easy so you can "dip your toes" into #vanlife! Our RV-loving staff also shares some helpful tips for renting a RV in this article.
Once you have your accommodations squared away, it's time to explore! There are a variety of hiking trails at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (17 miles of trails, in fact!), and many of them offer glimpses of the famous falls. The Eagle Falls Trail boasts an iconic viewpoint of Cumberland Falls (before venturing past the park's *other* famous falls), and at 1.5 miles, is a short-and-sweet trail worth tackling.
I will say, though, that while many of the park's trails are just a few miles in length, they definitely aren't "easy" – rugged terrain, steep elevation changes, and rocky steps make for challenging conditions, especially after a recent rainfall (more on that below). My advice? Leave your pride at the door and bring the hiking poles – and plan on taking your time. The scenery is worth savoring, anyway!
Fortunately, however, this bucket-list destination is as accessible as it is amazing: all Kentucky State Parks are free to visit and enjoy, open year-round, and full of a variety of ADA-accessible trails and viewpoints.
In fact, if you want to skip the trails, you can park at DuPont Lodge or at the gift shop, and walk right up to the water – no hiking necessary!
Whatever route you take, you’ll hear the falls before you see them. They’re loud but symphonically so; and, as you get closer, the scene literally unfolds before your eyes: roaring, rushing water merging into a spectacle of spray and sheer power.
It’s a magnificent experience you can quite literally feel, and you’ll likely be at a loss for words.
But. Remember that rain I mentioned earlier? Well. While the rain certainly offered a reprieve from the heat, it also foiled our moonbow plans.
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You see, for this phenomenon to occur, the stars must, quite literally, align… and alas, cloudy skies prevailed.
But did that make this adventure any less incredible or memorable? Absolutely not.
I have no doubt I’ll be back to see the moonbow, but even without a cascading prism of color, Cumberland Falls is a place of real-life magic just waiting to be discovered.Check out our video of Cumberland Falls below.
Have you seen the elusive Cumberland Falls moonbow in person? If so, please share! And if you're inspired to chase this waterfall rainbow for yourself, visit the moonbow schedule on the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Facebook Page.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is open daily, year-round, and there is no admission fee to enter the park. Parking is free, too, and there are large parking lots at DuPont Lodge and the Gift Shop, plus smaller lots at trailheads along KY-90. In addition to offering lodge, cottage, and camping accommodations, visitors to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park can dine at Riverview Restaurant, a #KentuckyProud restaurant serving up locally inspired fare – with epic views of the Niagara of the South.
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