State guide

Waterfalls in Kentucky

18 waterfalls across 15 counties, ranked 31st nationally. The main waterfall regions are Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork, Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs, and Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

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Photo of Cumberland Falls in McCreary County, Kentucky
Pictured: Cumberland Falls, KY

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Where Kentucky's Waterfalls Are

Kentucky's waterfalls are tied to the Cumberland Plateau and the sandstone escarpments along its western edge. Thick, erosion-resistant sandstone and conglomerate cap much of eastern Kentucky, and where streams cut through that caprock into softer shale beneath, the shale wears back to leave an overhanging ledge with a waterfall pouring off it. The same process creates the region's rock shelters, arches and gorges. Our directory lists 18 named falls in Kentucky, ranking it 31st nationally, though the state has many more small, unnamed cascades in its ravines. Rainfall is plentiful year-round, but the shallow soils on the plateau shed water quickly, so many falls respond within hours to a storm.

The named falls concentrate in the south-central part of the state, in McCreary and Whitley counties near the Tennessee line, where the Cumberland River and Big South Fork carve deep gorges through the plateau. A second cluster lies around the Red River Gorge and the Knobs region to the north and east. Farther west, falls are rarer, though the state shares one notable feature with Indiana: the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville, a series of river rapids over ancient limestone that once forced boats to portage around them. Karst country in the central and western parts of the state sends much of its water underground instead.

Kentucky Waterfall Regions

Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork

9 waterfalls · McCreary County, Whitley County, Wayne County, Clinton County, Rockcastle County, and Casey County

The deep sandstone gorges of south-central Kentucky hold the state's best-known falls. Cumberland Falls, on the Cumberland River near Corbin, is a broad curtain of water over a sandstone ledge and is famous for the moonbow that can appear in its mist on clear nights near the full moon. Nearby Eagle Falls drops into a pool below a rock ledge, and Dog Slaughter Falls lies in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Yahoo Falls, in the Big South Fork area, pours over a large rock shelter. Seventy Six Falls in Clinton County empties toward Lake Cumberland, and Anglin Falls in Rockcastle County lies at the end of a forest preserve trail.

Start with: Cumberland Falls, Seventy Six Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls, Anglin Falls, Yahoo Falls

Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs

5 waterfalls · Wolfe County, Menifee County, Owsley County, Carter County, and Lawrence County

North of the Cumberland region, the Red River Gorge area and the hills of northeastern Kentucky hold a scattering of smaller falls. This is country of sandstone arches, cliffs and narrow hollows, much of it in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Broken Leg Falls in Menifee County drops into a rock-walled hollow, and other named falls in Wolfe and Owsley counties occupy similar ravines near Campton and Booneville. Farther northeast, Lick Falls in Carter County lies near Grayson Lake, where sandstone cliffs line the reservoir. These falls are usually seasonal, running well in winter and spring and thinning noticeably by late summer.

Start with: Broken Leg Falls, Lick Falls, Caney Falls, Rock Bridge Falls, Falls of Buffalo

Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky

4 waterfalls · Jefferson County, Meade County, Henry County, and Allen County

Away from the plateau, Kentucky's waterfalls are few and widely spread. The most significant is the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville, a stretch of rapids where the Ohio River crosses fossil-rich limestone beds; dams and the locks around them have tamed the falls, but the exposed rock remains notable for its fossils. Meade County, along the Ohio downstream, and Henry County, in the rolling country between Louisville and Frankfort, each hold one named fall. Allen County near the Tennessee border adds another in the karst-influenced landscape of south-central Kentucky, where much water travels underground rather than over ledges.

Start with: Falls of the Ohio, Drennon Falls, Irvine Fall, The Big Falls

All 18 Waterfalls in Kentucky

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Cumberland Falls

    Whitley City, KY · McCreary County
    4.8 (1,511 reviews)

    Huge waterfall tumbling 69-ft. over a sandstone bed, offering the occasional lunar rainbow sighting.

    Rating
    4.8 (1,511 Google reviews)
    Address
    McCreary County, KY 42634 (GPS 36.8388, -84.3450)
    Nearest town
    Whitley City, KY (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cumberland Falls quad
    View details Directions

  2. Dog Slaughter Falls

    Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County
    4.8 (121 reviews)

    This waterfall in the Daniel Boone National Forest empties into a swimming hole.

    Rating
    4.8 (121 Google reviews)
    Address
    Whitley County, KY 40769 (GPS 36.8585, -84.3118)
    Nearest town
    Williamsburg, KY (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cumberland Falls quad
    View details Directions

  3. Seventy Six Falls

    Albany, KY · Clinton County
    4.6 (148 reviews)

    Well-known, picturesque waterfall popular for kayaking & swimming, with picnic spots nearby.

    Rating
    4.6 (148 Google reviews)
    Address
    Clinton County, KY 42602 (GPS 36.7793, -85.1259)
    Nearest town
    Albany, KY (6.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Wolf Creek Dam quad
    View details Directions

  4. Eagle Falls

    Whitley City, KY · McCreary County
    4.8 (85 reviews)

    44-ft. waterfall over a rock ledge into an natural swimming hole, reached by a moderate loop trail.

    Rating
    4.8 (85 Google reviews)
    Address
    McCreary County, KY 42634 (GPS 36.8438, -84.3439)
    Nearest town
    Whitley City, KY (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cumberland Falls quad
    View details Directions

  5. Yahoo Falls

    Whitley City, KY · McCreary County
    4.7 (91 reviews)

    Yahoo Falls is a waterfall in McCreary County, Kentucky, about 4.1 miles northwest of Whitley City.

    Rating
    4.7 (91 Google reviews)
    Address
    McCreary County, KY 42653 (GPS 36.7716, -84.5121)
    Nearest town
    Whitley City, KY (4.1 mi)
    View details Directions

  6. Anglin Falls

    Berea, KY · Rockcastle County
    4.5 (93 reviews)

    Mile-long hiking trail through a forest preserve, terminating at a 75-ft. waterfall in a gorge.

    Rating
    4.5 (93 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rockcastle County, KY 40456 (GPS 37.4998, -84.2172)
    Nearest town
    Berea, KY (6.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Johnetta quad
    View details Directions

  7. Broken Leg Falls

    Frenchburg, KY · Menifee County
    4.6 (15 reviews)

    Broken Leg Falls is a waterfall in Menifee County, Kentucky, about 8.0 miles east of Frenchburg. It appears on the USGS Ezel topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (15 Google reviews)
    Address
    Menifee County, KY 40387 (GPS 37.9067, -83.4896)
    Nearest town
    Frenchburg, KY (8.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Ezel quad
    View details Directions

  8. Jock Falls

    Monticello, KY · Wayne County
    3.9 (18 reviews)

    Jock Falls is a waterfall in Wayne County, Kentucky, about 2.3 miles southwest of Monticello. It appears on the USGS Parnell topographic map.

    Rating
    3.9 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Wayne County, KY 42633 (GPS 36.8140, -84.8852)
    Nearest town
    Monticello, KY (2.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Parnell quad
    View details Directions

  9. Falls of the Ohio

    Louisville, KY · Jefferson County
    4.6 (11 reviews)

    Falls of the Ohio is a waterfall in Jefferson County, Kentucky, about 1.2 miles north of Louisville. It appears on the USGS New Albany topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (11 Google reviews)
    Address
    Louisville, KY 40212
    Nearest town
    Louisville, KY (1.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    New Albany quad
    View details Directions

  10. Lick Falls

    Sandy Hook, KY · Carter County
    4.2 (13 reviews)

    Lick Falls is a waterfall in Carter County, Kentucky, about 8.8 miles northeast of Sandy Hook. It appears on the USGS Bruin topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (13 Google reviews)
    Address
    Carter County, KY 41164 (GPS 38.1979, -83.0461)
    Nearest town
    Sandy Hook, KY (8.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bruin quad
    View details Directions

  11. Amos Falls

    Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County
    4.2 (11 reviews)

    Amos Falls is a waterfall in Whitley County, Kentucky, about 7.8 miles northwest of Williamsburg. It appears on the USGS Cumberland Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (11 Google reviews)
    Address
    Whitley County, KY 40769 (GPS 36.8239, -84.2590)
    Nearest town
    Williamsburg, KY (7.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cumberland Falls quad
    View details Directions

  12. Stacy Falls

    Liberty, KY · Casey County
    1.0 (3 reviews)

    Stacy Falls is a waterfall in Casey County, Kentucky, about 8.4 miles northwest of Liberty. USGS notes: Located at the headwaters of Needmore Branch, 0.48 km (0.3 mi) WSW of Button Knob and 3.8 km (2.4 mi) SW of Jacktown.

    Rating
    1.0 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Casey County, KY 42539 (GPS 37.4140, -85.0352)
    Nearest town
    Liberty, KY (8.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bradfordsville NE quad
    View details Directions

  13. Caney Falls

    Grayson, KY · Lawrence County
    2.0 (1 reviews)

    Caney Falls is a waterfall in Lawrence County, Kentucky, about 13 miles southeast of Grayson. It appears on the USGS Webbville topographic map.

    Rating
    2.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lawrence County, KY 41180 (GPS 38.1624, -82.8437)
    Nearest town
    Grayson, KY (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Webbville quad
    View details Directions

  14. Rock Bridge Falls

    Campton, KY · Wolfe County

    Rock Bridge Falls is a waterfall in Wolfe County, Kentucky, about 2.6 miles north of Campton. It appears on the USGS Pomeroyton topographic map.

    Address
    Wolfe County, KY (GPS 37.7695, -83.5617)
    Nearest town
    Campton, KY (2.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pomeroyton quad
    View details Directions

  15. Drennon Falls

    New Castle, KY · Henry County

    Drennon Falls is a waterfall in Henry County, Kentucky, about 3.2 miles east of New Castle. It appears on the USGS Franklinton topographic map.

    Address
    Henry County, KY (GPS 38.4389, -85.1103)
    Nearest town
    New Castle, KY (3.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Franklinton quad
    View details Directions

  16. Falls of Buffalo

    Booneville, KY · Owsley County

    Falls of Buffalo is a waterfall in Owsley County, Kentucky, about 11 miles southeast of Booneville. It appears on the USGS Mistletoe topographic map.

    Address
    Owsley County, KY (GPS 37.3501, -83.5466)
    Nearest town
    Booneville, KY (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mistletoe quad
    View details Directions

  17. Irvine Fall

    Scottsville, KY · Allen County

    Irvine Fall is a waterfall in Allen County, Kentucky, about 11 miles north of Scottsville. It appears on the USGS Meador topographic map.

    Address
    Allen County, KY (GPS 36.9021, -86.1368)
    Nearest town
    Scottsville, KY (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Meador quad
    View details Directions

  18. The Big Falls

    Fort Knox, KY · Meade County

    The Big Falls is a waterfall in Meade County, Kentucky, about 3.4 miles west of Fort Knox. It appears on the USGS Rock Haven topographic map.

    Address
    Meade County, KY (GPS 37.8998, -86.0251)
    Nearest town
    Fort Knox, KY (3.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Rock Haven quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Kentucky

  1. Cumberland Falls 4.8 from 1,511 reviews · Whitley City
  2. Dog Slaughter Falls 4.8 from 121 reviews · Williamsburg
  3. Eagle Falls 4.8 from 85 reviews · Whitley City
  4. Yahoo Falls 4.7 from 91 reviews · Whitley City
  5. Seventy Six Falls 4.6 from 148 reviews · Albany

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 2 Kentucky waterfalls mention swimming, including Dog Slaughter Falls and Eagle Falls.

Kentucky Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Kentucky are about 200 miles apart.

Names and History

2 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Cumberland Falls (also The Great Falls) and Rock Bridge Falls (also Creation Falls).

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Kentucky

Kentucky's falls depend on rainfall, and the wettest, most reliable period generally runs from late winter through spring. From about February into May, most falls on the Cumberland Plateau and in the Red River Gorge flow well, and wildflowers fill the ravines in April. By late summer and early autumn many smaller falls shrink to a trickle, though Cumberland Falls on a large river runs year-round. Autumn color, usually peaking in late October, makes for good scenery even when flows are modest. Hard freezes in January occasionally create ice formations. For the Cumberland Falls moonbow, clear nights around the full moon are required, and those dates draw crowds.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Kentucky

Kentucky's best-known falls are on public land: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and state nature preserves such as the one around Anglin Falls. Some preserves restrict pets, swimming or off-trail travel, so it is worth reading posted rules. Smaller falls may sit on private property. Sandstone ledges above falls are often covered in moss and wet leaves and are very slippery, and cliff falls are a recurring cause of injuries in the Red River Gorge area. Above Cumberland Falls the river current is strong, so stay out of the water there. Seventy Six Falls depends partly on Lake Cumberland's level, which changes how much of the drop is visible.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Kentucky Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
McCreary317%Cumberland Falls
Whitley211%Dog Slaughter Falls
Allen16%Irvine Fall
Carter16%Lick Falls
Casey16%Stacy Falls
Clinton16%Seventy Six Falls
Henry16%Drennon Falls
Jefferson16%Falls of the Ohio
Lawrence16%Caney Falls
Meade16%The Big Falls
Menifee16%Broken Leg Falls
Owsley16%Falls of Buffalo
Rockcastle16%Anglin Falls
Wayne16%Jock Falls
Wolfe16%Rock Bridge Falls

All Kentucky Waterfalls A to Z

Kentucky Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Kentucky?

Our directory lists 18 waterfalls in Kentucky (17 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 1 added from Google Maps listings), 31st among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 0.7% of the national total. 33% of them are in just three counties: McCreary, Whitley, and Allen.

What is the most visited waterfall in Kentucky?

By Google review count, Cumberland Falls in McCreary County leads with 1,511 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Seventy Six Falls is next.

What is the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?

It is a rainbow formed by moonlight in the falls' mist, visible on clear nights around the full moon. Cumberland Falls is one of very few places in the world where a moonbow appears with some regularity.

Why are most Kentucky waterfalls in the south-central part of the state?

That area lies on the Cumberland Plateau, where resistant sandstone sits above softer shale. Rivers cutting into the plateau form ledges and gorges, which creates far more waterfalls than the gentler limestone country to the west.

Which Kentucky town has the most waterfalls nearby?

New Castle has 13 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Kentucky directory.