This spectacular waterfall is known as the ‘Niagara Falls of the South’ – and it features a rare lunar rainbow during the full moon

You’ll find waterfalls all over the country, from North Carolina to Yellowstone. And one of the most breathtaking waterfalls is found in the small town of Corbin, Kentucky, also known as the home of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Cumberland Falls, located at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, is 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide, and, as state park manager Maggie Monhollen explains travel+vacationIt is “the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, south of Niagara Falls.”

While its size is certainly impressive – it’s the reason for the nickname “Niagara of the South” – the most interesting aspect of this water feature is actually its moon. When moonlight is refracted through water droplets, the white or lunar rainbow is visible only in full moon conditions when the sky is clear. And yes, it is a photographer’s dream.

What to do

Of course, you don’t have to visit (or stay late) during the full moon to experience Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Monhallen calls it a true “one-stop shop,” with something for every type of outdoor traveler. “Spreading 1,000 acres and surrounded by the 800,000-acre Daniel Boone National Forest, this park is a nature lover’s paradise,” she says.

“There are 17 miles of hiking trails, a full-service restaurant, 96 accommodations, a swimming pool, horseback riding, rafting on waterfalls, a gift shop, a visitor center, two campgrounds with a total of 51 campsites. Moonbow CafeA full-service restaurant, and much more,” she adds. There is also fishing, bird watching, picnicking and gemstone mining.

Seeing the awe-inspiring waterfalls is a top priority for most visitors to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. It’s a half-mile walk from DuPont Lodge to the falls – a total descent of 200 feet, but you can also opt to go a little closer (to the base of the falls) via boat. Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort There is an organization for guided whitewater rafting trips below Cumberland Falls. Both Rainbow Mist and Moonbow Mist Tours Recommended by Monhollen, who says it’s a “once in a lifetime experience.” Reservations for subsequent travel usually open on the Monday before the travel date.

When asked about the best hiking trails in the park, Monhollen shared some of his favorite trails. ,blue bend loopThe five-mile loop is our longest trail in the park,” she says. It follows the Cumberland River. The three-mile Eagle Falls Trail is one of her favorites, and she says hikers will get “a glimpse of Cumberland Falls from across the river” and that it “ends at a beautiful, turquoise waterfall, located within the Kentucky State Nature Preserve.” If you choose this trail, you’ll get There will also be an opportunity to “see wildlife and a variety of vegetation”.

Visitors looking for a shorter route can also enjoy the half-mile (one-way) Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower Trail“This is the easiest trail in the park,” she explains, “which ends at the historic Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower, which offers a spectacular view of the Appalachia foothills.” You can also join a guided tour of the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower, built in 1937, with one of the park’s naturalists.

The park also has many other events and guided activities throughout the year. Horseback riding is a popular option, and visitors can go on rides on weekends in May, September, and October and daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Monhallen also suggests swinging by the visitor center to “see the reptile family and learn the history of the park.”

In particular, the pool, horseback riding, rafting, and Moonbow Café are only offered seasonally.

when to go

“There’s never a bad time to visit, but I would recommend visiting during May and June to optimize our recreational opportunities in the park,” says Monhallen. Of course, if you want to see the famous moonbow, you’ll have to time your visit during a full moon—and the full moon is the calendar available onlineThe remaining 2025 dates are November 3-7 and December 2-6.

Starting November 1 this year, some facilities will be closed due to renovations, including DuPont Lodge, Riverview Restaurant and Ridgeline Campground. During this time, cabins will be available for rental, and other aspects of the park – including Cumberland Falls, hiking trails, welcome center and gift shop – will remain open.