This Epic Road Trip in Kentucky Hits 5 of the State’s Best Waterfalls

Dog Slaughter Falls is a 15-foot waterfall in the Daniel Boone National Forest that can be reached after a 2.5-mile hiking trail. The bridge to cross the creek at the beginning of the trail is out of commission, so you’ll need to get your feet wet and cross the creek on foot. The waterfall is a beauty to behold, and you can also walk behind it! Sometimes, the pool at the bottom is a lovely shade of blue that makes for a spectacular photo.

And the name? No one knows for sure, but it's rumored to have been named for hunting dogs who died of wild predators, or it may have been a place where people went to dispose of unwanted pets.

Our next two waterfalls are within Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Eagle Falls is a 44-foot cascade near the iconic Cumberland Falls. You can hike from Cumberland Falls to Eagle Falls and knock both out. The trail is about two miles long and relatively easy, though there is a bit of scrambling and plenty of stairs to reach Eagle Falls. 

Perhaps the most famous waterfall in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls, had to make this list. Often called the Niagara of the South, it is a single-drop, 69-foot waterfall that’s an impressive 125 feet wide. Rainbows are a common sight here, but this Kentucky waterfall has another claim to fame: moonbows. If you can, visit this waterfall during a full moon in hopes of catching a glimpse of a moonbow. It’s an extremely rare phenomenon that’s formed by the mist from the cascade. It’s one of only two naturally occurring moonbows in the world!

After a full day of exploring Kentucky’s waterfalls, check into this waterfront cabin in Whitley City. The two-bedroom cabin is situated on five acres, surrounded by water on three sides. It’s only five miles from Cumberland Falls, which is perfect if you want to experience the moonbow without driving long distances in the dark. 

I love an Airbnb with a quirky element, and this one has an old-school Simpsons arcade game. I can’t tell you how many hours I clocked playing this arcade game at the roller rink (oh wow, I’m old) when I was a kid, so seeing this immediately brought me back to my 10-year-old self.

We are kicking off day two with one of the most impressive waterfalls in Kentucky—Yahoo Falls! Earning the gold as the tallest waterfall in Kentucky, this waterfall clocks in at 113 feet. There are a network of trails that surround it, so you’ve got plenty of hiking options. The Yahoo Falls Short Loop is a mile long and one of the more popular trails to reach this waterfall. You can also walk behind this one!

Our final waterfall on this road trip brings us to Princess Falls in Stearns. The hike to Princess Falls is 2.6 miles and leads you on a scenic journey through the forest, where you’ll come across a couple of waterfalls. The trail is relatively easy, but it can be muddy at times, so make sure you’re wearing waterproof shoes. It’s a catch-22 because you want to visit these waterfalls after it rains, but of course, that means the trails will be pretty muddy.