Waterfalls in Kentucky

Where the waterfalls are in Kentucky

Kentucky's waterfalls are in the east, on the Cumberland Plateau, where sandstone cliffs and rock shelters line the gorges. Cumberland Falls is the state's signature fall, and the Daniel Boone National Forest and Red River Gorge have many smaller ones.

Well-known waterfalls in Kentucky

Cumberland Falls

A broad 68-foot fall on the Cumberland River, known for the moonbow that forms in its mist on clear nights near a full moon. Falls near Cumberland Falls.

Eagle Falls

A fall near Cumberland Falls in the same state park, reached by a short, rocky trail. Falls near Eagle Falls.

Yahoo Falls

A tall fall under a rock overhang in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Falls near Yahoo Falls.

When to go

Winter and spring rain; late summer is often low. See the best time to see waterfalls for how flow changes by region.

Kentucky by the numbers

The map shows 87 named falls in Kentucky. 17 of them are in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, the federal register of official place names, and 70 more are named falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap. 3 have a height recorded by OpenStreetMap mappers, which is what the height filter above uses. WhitleyCounty has the most, with 2.

Tallest recorded waterfalls in Kentucky

Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap, converted to feet. Guidebooks may list different figures, usually because they count every tier of a fall or only the biggest drop. Why heights differ.

Counties with the most waterfalls

From the USGS record, which gives each fall's county.

Every named waterfall in Kentucky

Alphabetical within each county. Tap a name to centre the map above on it.

Allen County (1)

Irvine Fall

Carter County (1)

Lick Falls

Casey County (1)

Stacy Falls

Clinton County (1)

Seventy Six Falls

Henry County (1)

Drennon Falls

Jefferson County (1)

Falls of the Ohio

Lawrence County (1)

Caney Falls

McCreary County (2)

Cumberland Falls, Eagle Falls

Meade County (1)

The Big Falls

Menifee County (1)

Broken Leg Falls

Owsley County (1)

Falls of Buffalo

Rockcastle County (1)

Anglin Falls

Wayne County (1)

Jock Falls

Whitley County (2)

Amos Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls (20 ft)

Wolfe County (1)

Rock Bridge Falls

County not recorded (70)

80 Falls, Alcorn Branch Falls, Ataullah Falls, Bark Camp Branch Falls, Bark Camp Creek Cascades, Bark Camp Falls, Bear Creek Falls, Bear Dog Falls, Bee Creek Road Falls, Bell Falls, Benson Creek Falls, Big Spring Falls, Boulder Cascade, Boundry Falls, Box Falls, Broke Leg Falls, Brush Creek Church Falls, Cold Falls, Copperas Falls, Creation Falls, Devil Creek Watefall, Dog Fork Falls, Double Falls, Dutch Branch Falls, Eagle Creek Falls, Eagle Point Falls, East Mariba Fork Falls, Elk Lick Falls, Fairmont Falls, Falls At Shaker Landing, Flat Hollow Falls, Flat Lick Falls, Fulling Mill Falls, Grandaddy Waterfalls, Handcock Falls, Hidden Arch Falls, Joe High Falls, Lick Branch Falls, Lick Creek Falls, Lili’s Leap Falls (94 ft), Lily Bend Falls, Little Lily Creek Falls, Lower Lily Creek Falls, Lower Mossy Falls, Mariba Arches Complex Falls, Mariba Fork Falls (112 ft), McCammon Falls, Meadow Creek Falls, Mossy Falls, Nellie's Falls, Olivia Addison Falls, Pine Creek Falls, Pole Bridge Branch Falls, Pooch's Turtle Falls, Silver Falls, Silvermine Falls, Star Creek Falls, Swirly Falls, Town Creek Falls, Turkey Foot Loop Trail Falls, Upper Bell Falls, Upper Chimney Top Falls, Upper Laural Branch Falls, Upper Lily Creek Falls, Upper Right Fork Falls, Vanhook Falls, West Mariba Fork Falls, Wildcat Falls, Wind Cave Cascades, Yahoo Falls

Before you go

The map shows where falls are, not whether they are open or safe to reach. Check the land manager, usually a state park or national forest, for closures, fees and permits, and stay on the trail near the water. Our waterfall safety guide covers the hazards, and waterfall hikes near me explains how to pick a trail.

Waterfalls near cities in Kentucky

Every named fall within driving range of the city, nearest first: waterfalls near Lexington, waterfalls near Louisville.

Waterfalls in nearby states: Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina. Or see waterfalls in every state.