Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
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Known as the 'Niagara of the South,' the 125-foot curtain of water falling into a boulder-strewn gorge is dramatic day or n ight. But it is only during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere!
- View the epic Cumberland Falls.
- Tour the 1937 Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower with one of our naturalists.
- Hike Eagle Falls Trail.
- Gem Mine for fossils in season.
- Go horseback riding through the forest.
Birding
Some of the most memorable birding experiences are hearing the call and catching a glimpse of the Pileated Woodpecker or the flute-like call of the Wood Thrush. Many species of Wood Warblers pass through the Cumberland Falls area on their way from South America to the Northern States and Canada. Several species of birds can be viewed from our Riverview Restaurant and back patio of the DuPont Lodge. Some of the most common visitors are Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Camping
- Direct phone line: (606) 383-0302
Enjoy the great outdoors in the campground, featuring 50 campsites with electric and water hookups. The campground has a central service building with showers and restrooms, a grocery, and a dump station. Pets are allowed if restrained. Open seasonally.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in the Cumberland River, where there is an abundance of bass, catfish, panfish, and roughfish. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Gift Shop
Visit the gift shop, which features a large selection of Kentucky handcrafts. Open year-round.
Gem Mining
Begin your discoveries of real, colorful gemstones and fossils at the gemstone flume. Just place a scoop of rough material on the screen, then rinse with clean water. The gemstones, when wet, will reveal colors and crystal shapes! There are lots of different gemstones to discover! Anything from locally-found Pyrite, Fluorite, and Quartz to Ruby, Moonstone, Topaz, Crystal Points, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, Garnet, Citrine, Aventurine, Obsidian, Sodalite, Calcite, and Raspberry Quartz could be found. Sharing the experience of mining at the flume mine is a lot of fun. You can compare finds and help each other to identify what you've found. We invite individuals, families, and groups of all sizes.
Hiking
Cumberland Falls is a hiker's paradise with 17 miles of hiking trails that wind through the park to scenic areas. The Moonbow Trail connects with many backpacking trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Pets are not permitted within the McCreary County side of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park as this area is within a dedicated Kentucky State Nature Preserve.
Horseback Riding
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is the perfect destination to introduce the family to the thrill of horseback riding. The park offers guided trail rides that are easy enough for the first timer and still adventurous for the more experienced. Riders, age 6 and up will enjoy a 45-minute ride through an eastern Kentucky forest, beautiful in any season. The stables are open daily, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Stables may also open on weekends in May, September, and October (call ahead to verify). Rides start on the hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person. Personal horses are not permitted on the trails at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, but there are several opportunities to do so in the surrounding area. There are many miles of trails and several horse camps in the nearby Daniel Boone National Forest and The Big South Fork National River and Recreation area.
Picnicking
The picnic area with tables, grills, and playgrounds is ideal for family outings. A picnic shelter (without restrooms) offers tables, grills, water, and electric; it may be reserved for rental up to one year in advance.
Rafting
Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort offers various activities in the area, including family/beginner guided whitewater rafting trips below Cumberland Falls, unguided canoeing and kayaking trips above Cumberland Falls, as well as guided trips up to the base of the falls (the Rainbow Mist and Rainbow Mist Stand-Up Paddleboard trips). Contact at 800-541-7238/606 526-7238.
Snack Shop
Conveniently located across from the Gift Shop, the Snack Shop offers a variety of food and drink options. Open seasonally.
Swimming
Pool open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Days and hours of operation subject to change. Please contact the park for more information.
Moonbow
Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world that regularly produces a moonbow. The "moonbow," also called a white rainbow or lunar rainbow, is formed just like a rainbow—light is refracted in tiny water droplets—and appears for the two or so days, as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon. Click here for the current moonbow schedule. Click here for the 2025 moonbow schedule.
