Cumberland Falls Loop Trail

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin in southeastern Kentucky is home to one of the most dramatic waterfall hikes in the state. The Cumberland Falls Loop Trail measures 2.0 miles and gains approximately 250 feet in elevation, following a circuit along the rim of the Cumberland River gorge before descending to the base overlook of Cumberland Falls—a 68-foot cascade spanning 125 feet across, often called the Niagara of the South. The trailhead is located in the main parking area at 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY 40701. State park admission is free and no hiking permit is required. The trail surface is a mix of packed gravel and natural forest floor with rocky sections near the river overlook and the falls base. Shade is consistent throughout most of the route as it passes through mature mixed hardwood and hemlock forest. The loop begins with a gorge-rim traverse through the upper forest, offering filtered views of the canyon before the path descends to a viewing platform at the base of the falls. At the base, mist and spray reach the observation area during periods of high water flow, and footing can be wet and slippery. A secondary viewpoint above the falls is accessible via a short spur trail from the opposite bank, providing an elevated perspective across the cascade. Cumberland Falls is one of only two locations in the Western Hemisphere where a moonbow—a rainbow produced by moonlight—can be reliably observed. The phenomenon occurs on clear nights within one to two days of the full moon when the waterfall mist refracts the moonlight. Evening visits during these windows require a flashlight or headlamp for the return walk on the unlit trail. No water sources are available on trail; the park lodge, café, and gift shop near the trailhead provide restrooms and drinking water. Additional park amenities include picnic shelters and a designated swimming beach downstream on the Cumberland River. Spring snowmelt produces the most powerful water flow and the most dramatic cascade conditions.