9 Other Great Waterfalls near Cumberland Falls

Cumberland Falls is Kentucky's best-known waterfall, and for good reason.  At 65 foot high and 125 feet across, it is well worth the visit.  Plus, there is the world famous moonbow every month (weather permitting) as a bonus.  But, did you know that there are plenty of other (smaller) waterfalls in this area?

Rafts below Cumberland Falls. Photo courtesy of Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

1)  Eagle Falls
This 44 foot waterfall is located inside Cumberland Falls State Resort.  It is accessible via a 1.5 mile moderately strenuous hike on the Eagle Falls trail, located on river left at the falls area.  An added bonus is great views of Cumberland Falls as you hike the trail.  You can also see this waterfall as you float down the river on the Cumberland Below the Falls whitewater rafting trip through Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.  ​

Eagle Falls. Photo courtesy of Thomas Hall

2)  Dogslaughter Falls  
A beautiful 15 foot waterfall with a terrible name, Dogslaughter Falls is accessible off of FS Road 195, about 5 miles from Cumberland Falls, and .5 miles from Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.  Two trailheads along the FS Road let you choose a shorter (1+ miles) or longer (3+ miles) hike to the Falls.  The trail meanders along Dogslaughter creek, and is rated moderate.

Dogslaughter Falls. Photo courtesy of Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

3)  Star Falls
This little known, mostly hidden gem of a waterfall is along the Sheltowee Trace trail on the lower section of the Cumberland River.  It is a seasonal waterfall, and is most easily accessible by continuing along the Dogslaughter trail to the Cumberland River and turning right along the Sheltowee Trace.  Star Creek shelter, located where you turn up Star creek to get to the waterfall, is a nice place for a picnic or overnight stay.

Star Falls. Photo credit: http://destressoutdoors.com/cumberlandfallstostarfalls.html

4)  Triple Falls
Another seasonal waterfall, this hike gives you 3 waterfalls, one right after the other.  Most of the ½ mile hike is an easy wide trail, with some steeper stuff right at the end.  Continue along the single-track trail to follow Falls Creek, which has several more unnamed waterfalls and cascades as well, for a 1.5 mile loop.  The trailhead is behind the main building at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.

5)  Bark Camp Cascades
Not technically a waterfall, Bark Camp Cascades is still worth a mention here for its long cascades.  Bark Camp trail follows along the creek for 2.6 miles, past numerous rock shelters, cliffs and cascades, finally reaching the Cumberland River several miles downstream of Star Falls.  A loop, of sorts, can be made connecting Dogslaughter Falls, Star Falls and the Bark Camp cascades, for a long day of hiking or an overnight trip.  The trailhead is accessible off of FS Road 193, part of a network of Forest Service Roads that includes trailheads for Dogslaughter Falls and Schoolhouse Arch.

Bark Camp Creek Cascades. Photo courtesy of Pam Gibson

6)  Amos Falls
This is the only waterfall on the list that doesn’t have an actual trail leading to it, so be prepared with a compass (your GPS may or may not be able to get a signal) and be ready to do some bushwacking.  It is accessible off of a dirt road past Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort, in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Amos Falls. Photo credit: Ulrich Burkhalter (https://www.flickr.com/photos/uloo/4985750708/in/photostream/)

7)  Yahoo Falls
Long claimed as the highest waterfall in the state of KY, this 113 foot high waterfall is well worth the 1 mile hike from the parking lot.  The creek that forms it is somewhat seasonal, so the best time to visit is in the Spring or after a good rain.  The waterfall is located off of Hwy 700 in McCreary County.  It is in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. ​

Yahoo Falls. Photo Credit National Park Service

​8)  Princess Falls
Also located in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in McCreary County, Princess Falls is a short but wide waterfall along Lick Creek.  It is about a mile hike from the Yamacraw Day Use area along the Big South Fork river.  The waterfall is easily accessible from canoes or kayaks on the Yamacraw to Alum Ford section of the Big South Fork.

Princess Falls. Photo credit Jeremy Patton (http://www.kentuckyboytravels.com/princess-falls/)

9)  Lick Creek Falls
The 2nd waterfall along Lick Creek, this 50 foot high waterfall is off a side trail from the main trail.  It is about 2.25 miles from the Yamacraw Day Use area along the Big South Fork River, or accessible from the river itself.  Along with Princess Falls, it makes a nice 2-for-1 hike.

Lick Creek Falls. Photo credit Jeremy Patton (http://www.kentuckyboytravels.com/lick-creek-falls/)