Kentucky (Corbin / Cumberland Falls State Resort Park)
Trip Summary
You know what Kentucky is famous for, right? The Kentucky Derby! The Bourbon Trail! Mammoth Caves! And yes, Kentucky is famous for all that, and deservedly so–but did you know that the state is also home to the Niagara of the South? Cumberland Falls is a beautiful waterfall, called “Little Niagara,” nestled in a town called Corbin, Kentucky and is worth a spot on your bucket list if you are traveling through and need to stretch your legs!
My husband and I stopped here during a road trip during the summer and wanted to do a bit more than stretch our legs, so we picked some trails to explore while seeing the sights of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The park hosts a number of trails–some going to the main waterfall and some going to other areas of the park, so we called ahead to make sure we parked at the right trailhead. There are two trails that go to Cumberland Falls–one to the main overlook where you can view the falls from the side and a longer trail that passes by Cumberland Falls (and where honestly, you get the best views as the overlook is a little farther away and you can see the entire falls in their full glory) then goes farther to Eagle Falls. This is the trail we picked, and I am so glad that we did!
The trailhead is a small one, so knowing that, we left early so we could get a place to park. Rain was also forecasted for the day, but when we got there, it had slowed to a drizzle, so conditions were perfect for a morning hike! The trail is actually a loop with a “spur” at the end which is where you hike down and climb the rocks to get out to Eagle Falls, but hikers on the AllTrails website recommended keeping to the right side of the loop, seeing Eagle Falls, then hiking back rather than going around the whole loop as the backside was muddy, wasn’t as scenic, and made for a more difficult return. So I followed directions and did just that, and it made for a lovely morning.
The first viewpoint for Cumberland Falls is fairly early in the trail and is nice, because you can see the entire falls as well as the river below. At night, if the conditions are right, you can see a “moonbow” at the waterfall, so if you go at night, the short trail that starts at Dupont Lodge is your best bet, but if you go during the day and are fit enough for a moderate hike, the Eagle Falls Trail is better.
Further along the trail are some neat rock formations that you can climb up to and explore. Much of trail is also in the shade, so the rocks were cool, wet from the rain, and made for some great pictures!
As you get closer to the “spur” of Eagle Falls, the trail becomes a set of stairs to get to the base of the hill where you then climb over rocks to get to the actual waterfall. This is the section where kids and older hikers may have trouble, but if you are sure-footed and careful, the waterfalls are a beautiful way to end the exertion!
Eagle Falls is much smaller than Cumberland Falls, but you can get much closer and the crowds are much thinner (we were the only ones at the falls this early in the day!), so you can get better pictures. There are also some nearby boulders that you can climb to get a super up-close view of the falls if that is what you prefer.
So for its abundance of trails, clearly marked paths, and scenic views, this stop gets high marks!
Cumberland Falls/Eagle Falls: A
After sending some time at Eagle Falls, we headed back and continued on our road trip, but the stop was beautiful, and I highly recommend it whether you are stopping on a trip or making a whole day of it! It’s a lovely place!
Favorite Experiences
Having Eagle Falls all to ourselves was probably the best thing about the whole hike–as beautiful as the hike was! I liked not being in a rush to take pictures or get out of people’s way or hurry to see the falls. It was nice to just wander around and explore, sit at the rocks at the bottom, and just listen to the rush of the water.
We went during the fall, so all the leaves were changing color, too, so that made for an especially scenic hike. With all the autumn colors, the cool and drizzly air, and the earthy scents of rain, this made for the best hike you could ask for in Kentucky!
What I Wish I Knew
I was glad that I had found the AllTrails website before going to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, because the trailheads can be easy to miss from the road, and with parking limited, I wanted to be sure that we were always in the right place. So definitely check out that website to pick the best trails for your trip!
Also, bring plenty of water for the trail, because even though it is on the shorter side for a hike and shaded, it does require effort, and you are hiking up stairs both ways. The one couple we did pass on the trail was having a harder time and they were debating turning around, but they didn’t have water either, so if you remember to bring water, it will definitely help you go farther and faster!
If you take pics/selfies, earlier in the hike is better, because as you get to the end of the hike, you are working harder and quickly become not as selfie-friendly (hence, why I am not in a lot of these pics, ha, as I am fair-skinned and become a tomato when hiking, sadly).
All in all, though, it was a wonderful way to break up a road trip, so if you are in the area, give Corbin, Kentucky a try! Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a beautiful place to visit in any season and has views/trails for everybody!
I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:
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Happy travels!
