Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Kentucky

At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the main attraction is the Cumberland River which drops 68 feet at a width of 125 feet. Cumberland Falls is reputed to be the largest falls east of the Mississippi River and south of Niagara Falls. The 125 foot width makes it one of the widest waterfalls in the country. The falls are sometimes called the Little Niagara or the Niagara of the South. At night during a full moon, you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. Along with the falls, there is a campground with 50 electric/water sites, a grocery and service building with showers. Fishing is also popular for bass, catfish, panfish, and roughfish. For hikers, there are 17 miles of hiking trails that wind through the park to scenic areas. The Moonbow Trail connects with many backpacking trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Guided horse trail rides for riders age 6 and up are available. Birding, picnicking and rafting.

In 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker and his party of explorers, entering this area from Virginia, found the river which he named Cumberland. He claimed the crooked nature of the river reminded him of the Duke of Cumberland. The first record of white men finding Cumberland Falls was in 1780. Zachariah Green and his party were floating down the river, having no knowledge of the great falls ahead. The managed to abandon the boat and swim ashore, allowing the craft to go over the falls. The boat was recovered, still intact.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky