Dreaming of lush trails, fern-filled forests, and thundering falls? I sure was when I set out to explore Kentucky’s waterfalls—and I was absolutely captivated by the beauty I found. From limestone cliffs to hidden cascades, Kentucky’s waterfalls are a perfect mix of Appalachian charm and wild, untamed nature. These Kentucky waterfalls offer the kind of stunning hikes and river views you’ll want to experience yourself. Whether you're looking for peaceful forest escapes or epic waterfall views, these spots are sure to impress.
Highlights:
Unique Kentucky Waterfalls
Anglin Falls - 15 minutes from Berea, KY
Anglin Falls isn’t tall but it’s striking — especially because of how it appears: suddenly and quietly, at the end of a shady trail where the only sound is your own breath and maybe a woodpecker in the distance. Located near Berea, the trail climbs through a forest preserve dotted with wildflowers and sheer rock walls.
The falls slide about 75 feet down a mossy cliff into a rocky basin surrounded by boulders and ferns. Even in low flow, it felt special — like something the woods kept for itself. I leaned against a cool slab of stone, eyes closed, and thought, “This feels like a place meant for just one person at a time.”
Back in Berea, I grabbed lunch at Native Bagel Company. I had a toasted veggie bagel sandwich with sharp white cheddar, cucumber, and pickled red onion, plus a lemon basil scone that melted into sweet-savory bliss. The café smelled like cardamom and warm dough, and I could still feel the chill of the falls on my skin.
Anglin Falls At a Glance
- Location: John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest, near Berea, KY
- Height: ~75 feet (seasonal)
- Trail: ~1.7 miles round trip, moderate with rocky footing
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or after rain for full flow
- What to Bring: Grippy shoes, water bottle, time to linger
- Food Nearby: Native Bagel Company, 436 Chestnut St, Berea, KY
Bad Branch Falls - 1.5 hours from Pikeville, KY
Deep in the mountains near Whitesburg, Bad Branch Falls feels like the kind of place that’s held its breath for centuries. The trail begins with a calm hike through hemlock forest and gradually tightens into a rugged climb. There’s a sense you’re being let in — but only if you treat the place with respect.
The waterfall itself plunges nearly 60 feet through a narrow gorge, framed by towering cliffs and tangled green. The roar echoes before you even see it. When I reached the base, it felt like the temperature dropped ten degrees — all mist, moss, and that damp hush that only waterfalls know. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of wild that doesn’t wait for permission.”
After the long drive back out, I stopped at Heritage Kitchen in Whitesburg for a late lunch. I had their Appalachian veggie plate — pinto beans, turnip greens, skillet potatoes, and hot cornbread with honey. It was the kind of meal that fills you without fuss and tastes like it belongs to the mountains.
Bad Branch Falls At a Glance
- Location: Bad Branch State Nature Preserve, near Whitesburg, KY
- Height: ~60 feet
- Trail: ~1.2 miles round trip, moderate with some slick rock
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early summer for best flow
- What to Bring: Bug spray, hiking shoes, water, and caution on rocks
- Food Nearby: Heritage Kitchen, 486 E Main St, Whitesburg, KY
Broke Leg Falls - 1.5 hours from Lexington, KY
It’s not often a waterfall site doubles as a lesson in resilience. Broke Leg Falls — yes, that’s really the name — was nearly wiped out by a tornado in 2012. But the community brought it back, and though the forest is still regrowing, the falls remain a strong and steady centerpiece.
The trail is short, mostly stairs, and drops quickly to the gorge floor. The waterfall spills about 60 feet into a rock basin, surrounded by evidence of regrowth — young trees, mossy boulders, and plenty of light filtering through the now-open canopy. I stood at the base and thought, “Even after everything, this place still knows how to fall gracefully.”
Afterward, I stopped at Ruth Hunt Candy in Mount Sterling — not for a meal, but for a reward. I picked up a small box of bourbon-free chocolate creams and a honeycomb toffee square. It tasted like memory and sweetness and something handmade.
Broke Leg Falls At a Glance
- Location: Near Frenchburg, KY, off Highway 460
- Height: ~60 feet
- Trail: ~0.4 miles round trip, steep stairs down and up
- Best Time to Visit: After rain, spring through fall
- What to Bring: Water, camera, time to reflect
- Food Nearby: Ruth Hunt Candy, 550 Maysville Rd, Mt. Sterling, KY
Cumberland Falls - 2 hours from Lexington, KY
Cumberland Falls doesn’t whisper — it roars. Sometimes called the “Niagara of the South,” this 68-foot-wide curtain of water pours over sandstone with such force that you feel it in your chest before you see it. It’s wide, dramatic, and wildly alive, the kind of waterfall you hear about long before you get there.
What makes it even more special? On clear nights during a full moon, Cumberland Falls becomes one of the few places in the world where you can witness a “moonbow” — a lunar rainbow that glimmers across the mist. I didn’t catch the moonbow this time, but I did stand beside the railing, water in my face, thinking, “This isn’t just a view — it’s an event.”
Afterward, I stopped at Baxter’s Coffee in Somerset. I ordered a veggie panini and a blueberry muffin that was still warm. The shop smelled like roasted beans and quiet conversation. I sat by the window and let the thunder of the falls echo quietly in my memory.
Cumberland Falls At a Glance
- Location: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, near Corbin, KY
- Height: ~68 feet high, 125 feet wide
- Trail: Multiple paved viewpoints; easy access
- Best Time to Visit: Full moon for moonbow; spring for volume
- What to Bring: Camera, poncho, patience for crowds
- Food Nearby: Baxter’s Coffee, 427 Ogden St, Somerset, KY
Dog Slaughter Falls - 30 minutes from Corbin, KY
The name might throw you, but Dog Slaughter Falls is anything but grim. Tucked off a side trail near Cumberland Falls, this 15-foot cascade feels like something the forest is hiding just for you. The hike in is quiet and green, weaving along a creek that burbles cheerfully and keeps you company.
The falls themselves fan out over a ledge into a dark pool, framed by sandstone and trees that lean in close. I kicked off my boots, dipped my feet into the cold water, and thought, “This is what happens when you follow curiosity instead of signs.”
Post-hike, I stopped in Corbin at You & Me Coffee and Tea. I had their veggie wrap with avocado and sprouts and a peach iced tea that tasted like summer. It was quiet inside — cool, soft lighting, and trail mix bars at the counter. I felt like I’d earned every bite.
Dog Slaughter Falls At a Glance
- Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, near Corbin, KY
- Height: ~15 feet
- Trail: ~2.4 miles round trip, moderate with rocky sections
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or after steady rain
- What to Bring: Hiking shoes, water, a sense of detour
- Food Nearby: You & Me Coffee and Tea, 314 S Main St, Corbin, KY
Eagle Falls - 30 minutes from Corbin, KY
Eagle Falls may be my favorite of the three. It’s not the tallest or the most dramatic — but it feels the most alive. The trail starts just downriver from Cumberland Falls and climbs along a bluff with glimpses of the river far below. Then, suddenly, it drops — and you’re there.
The waterfall tumbles about 44 feet into a mossy gorge, loud and light-catching, surrounded by stone and the echo of the river behind you. I stood under the spray, arms open, and thought, “This is what it feels like to belong to a place, even just for a minute.”
After the hike, I went back to the lodge at Cumberland Falls for a late lunch. I had the grilled vegetable plate and cornbread, then sat on the patio with a cool drink and sore legs. The sound of the river still buzzed in my bones.
Eagle Falls At a Glance
- Location: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Trail #9
- Height: ~44 feet
- Trail: ~1.5 miles round trip, moderate with stairs and narrow edges
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer for lush surroundings
- What to Bring: Water, grippy shoes, waterproof bag
- Food Nearby: DuPont Lodge Restaurant, 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY
Flat Lick Falls - 30 minutes south of McKee, KY
Flat Lick Falls might be the most welcoming waterfall I visited in Kentucky. It's easily accessed, gently marked, and framed by tall pines that give it a peaceful, almost tucked-in feel. The trail is short and flat, winding past picnic areas and through light-dappled woods before arriving at the overlook.
The falls pour about 30 feet into a round, sandy-bottomed pool, perfect for dipping toes or just sitting nearby with a book. The air smelled like cedar and warm stone, and I thought, “Not every waterfall has to challenge you — some just want to meet you where you are.”
Afterward, I stopped at Wink’s Diner in McKee and had their vegetable plate with fried okra, stewed tomatoes, and mashed potatoes. It was hearty and no-nonsense, the kind of meal that feels like a hug from someone who knows better than to fuss.
Flat Lick Falls At a Glance
- Location: Near Gray Hawk, KY (Jackson County)
- Height: ~30 feet
- Trail: ~0.5 miles round trip, very easy
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall
- What to Bring: Camp chair, picnic, someone who likes to take their time
- Food Nearby: Wink’s Diner, 260 KY-290, McKee, KY
Seventy Six Falls - 15 minutes from Albany, KY
Named for the old nearby community of Seventy Six, this waterfall spreads out across a wide rock face before dropping 84 feet into Lake Cumberland. It’s powerful after rain, especially in spring, but even in drier seasons it has a brooding, weathered presence.
The trail from the parking area leads to multiple overlooks, including one near the top of the falls and another lower down with a view into the gorge. I watched the sunlight catch in the spray and thought, “This is a waterfall with a long memory.”
After visiting, I stopped in Albany at Hunter’s Bar-B-Q and had a veggie sandwich with slaw on the side — smoky, tangy, and just right after standing in the wind. The place smelled like campfire and spice rub.
Seventy Six Falls At a Glance
- Location: Near Albany, KY, part of Lake Cumberland
- Height: ~84 feet
- Trail: Short walk to overlook; no base access
- Best Time to Visit: After rainfall or during spring thaw
- What to Bring: Binoculars, windbreaker, wide-angle lens
- Food Nearby: Hunter’s Bar-B-Q, 203 Hill St, Albany, KY
Star Creek Falls - 2 hours from Lexington, KY
Star Creek Falls isn’t one you stumble upon — you go looking for it. Located near the Big South Fork area, it requires some persistence and route-checking, but once you arrive, you’ll be glad you did. The waterfall drops in a clear, clean spill over a sandstone ledge, surrounded by dense, quiet forest.
There’s often no one else there — just you, the water, and the smell of damp leaves. I stood in the cool spray and thought, “Some places give you space to think just by existing.”
On the way out, I stopped at The Whistle Stop Café in Stearns for a simple grilled vegetable sandwich and a peach cobbler that made me sit back and sigh. It felt earned.
Star Creek Falls At a Glance
- Location: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, KY
- Height: ~45 feet
- Trail: Varies based on route; moderate, unmarked in spots
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for best water volume
- What to Bring: GPS, trail map, quiet feet
- Food Nearby: Whistle Stop Café, 105 Henderson St, Stearns, KY
Tioga Falls
Tioga Falls is one of those waterfalls that sneaks up on you — close to the road but still somehow hidden, like a secret tucked beneath the hum of passing cars. Located near a military base in West Point, it drops about 130 feet in stair-stepped sections down a mossy rock face.
The trail is short but steep, and depending on military activity, the area is occasionally closed. But if it’s open, it’s well worth the detour. I sat near the base, leaning back on a sun-warmed rock, and thought, “This one feels borrowed — like it’s letting me be here for just a moment.”
Afterward, I stopped in nearby Elizabethtown at Vibe Coffee for an iced lavender latte and a veggie breakfast burrito. The café was cool and relaxed, full of plants and sunlight — the perfect contrast to the wildness of the falls.
Tioga Falls At a Glance
- Location: West Point, KY (Fort Knox area)
- Height: ~130 feet
- Trail: ~1.8 miles round trip, moderate with incline
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer; check for access
- What to Bring: Water, sturdy shoes, flexibility with timing
- Food Nearby: Vibe Coffee, 34 Public Square, Elizabethtown, KY
Waterfalls in Kentucky: Final Thoughts
Kentucky’s waterfalls don’t compete for attention — they don’t need to. They exist quietly, often hidden just off winding roads or behind dense forest curtains. They show up in limestone gorges, under old-growth canopy, and sometimes just past a trail that looks like it leads nowhere. And that’s what makes finding them feel like such a reward.
Some roared, others whispered. Some welcomed crowds, others offered only a slippery log and a place to think. I stood under moonbows, beside fallen trees, in damp socks and sun-dried shirts. I passed deer, heard frogs, and once mistook a squirrel for something much larger (it wasn’t). At nearly every stop, I found myself thinking, “This isn’t about seeing something spectacular — it’s about remembering how to be still long enough to notice.”
If you chase waterfalls in Kentucky, bring curiosity, patience, and an appreciation for the quiet kind of beauty — the kind that doesn’t announce itself, but lingers in your mind for days afterward. These falls may not all be famous, but they’re exactly what they need to be: present, persistent, and profoundly grounding.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Anglin Falls - 15 minutes from Berea, KY
- • Bad Branch Falls - 1.5 hours from Pikeville, KY
- • Broke Leg Falls - 1.5 hours from Lexington, KY
- • Cumberland Falls - 2 hours from Lexington, KY
- • Dog Slaughter Falls - 30 minutes from Corbin, KY
- • Eagle Falls - 30 minutes from Corbin, KY
- • Flat Lick Falls - 30 minutes south of McKee, KY
- • Seventy Six Falls - 15 minutes from Albany, KY
- • Star Creek Falls - 2 hours from Lexington, KY
- • Tioga Falls