This beautiful waterfall is known as ‘Southern Niagara Falls’ and has a rare lunar rainbow during full moons

You’ll find waterfalls all over the country, from North Carolina to Yellowstone. And one of the most impressive waterfalls is located in the small town of Corbin, Kentucky, also known as the home of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Cumberland Falls, located in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, is 68 feet high and 125 feet wide and, as state park manager Maggy Monhollen says Travel + LeisureIt is the “largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, south of Niagara Falls.”

While its size is certainly impressive (hence the nickname “Niagara of the South”), the most interesting aspect of this water feature is actually its lunar arch. Produced when moonlight is refracted through water droplets, the white or lunar rainbow only appears under full moon conditions when the sky is clear. And yes, it is a photographer’s dream.

To do

You don’t necessarily have to visit during a full moon (or stay up late) to experience Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, of course. Monhollen calls it a true “one-stop shop” with something for every type of outdoor traveler. “At 1,000 acres and surrounded by 800,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest, the park is a nature lover’s paradise,” he says.

“There are 17 miles of hiking trails, a full-service restaurant, 96 lodges, a swimming pool, horseback riding, waterfall rafting, a gift shop, a visitor center, two campgrounds with a total of 51 campsites, the Lunar Coffeea full-service restaurant and much more,” he adds. There’s also fishing, bird watching, picnicking and gem mining.

Seeing the impressive falls is the top priority for most travelers who come to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. There’s a half-mile hike to the falls (a total descent of 200 feet) from DuPont Lodge, but you can also choose to get a little closer (to the base of the falls) by boat. Sheltowee Trace Aventura Resort is the provider of guided whitewater rafting trips below Cumberland Falls. Both the Rainbow Mist and Moonbow Mist Trips It comes recommended by Monhollen, who says it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Reservations for the latter trip usually open the Monday before the trip date.

When asked about the best hiking trails in the park, Monhollen shared some of his favorites. “Blue curve loopa five-mile loop, it’s our longest trail in the park,” he says, adding that it follows the Cumberland River. The three-mile Eagle Falls Trail is another of his picks, and he says hikers will be able to “see Cumberland Falls from across the river” and “ends at a beautiful turquoise waterfall, located within a Kentucky State Nature Reserve.” If you choose this one route, you will also have the opportunity to “see wildlife and a variety of different flora.”

Visitors looking for a shorter trail can also enjoy the half-mile one-way loop. Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower Trail. “It’s the easiest trail in the park and ends at the historic Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower and offers a majestic view of the Appalachian foothills,” he explains. You can even join a guided tour of the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower, built in 1937, with one of the park’s naturalists.

The park also features a variety of other guided programs and activities throughout the year. Horseback riding is a popular option, and visitors can take rides on weekends in May, September and October, and daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Monhollen also suggests stopping by the visitor center to “see the reptile family and learn about the history of the park.”

In particular, the pool, horseback riding, rafting, and Moonbow Café are only offered seasonally.

When to visit

“There is never a bad time to visit, but I would recommend visiting during May and June to optimize our recreational opportunities in the park,” Monhollen says. Of course, if you want to see the famous lunar arch, you’ll also need to time your trip during the full moon, and the full moon calendar is available online. The remaining 2025 dates are November 3-7 and December 2-6.

Starting November 1 of this year, some of the facilities will be closed due to renovations, including DuPont Lodge, Riverview Restaurant, and Ridgeline Campground. During this time, cabin rentals will continue to be available and other aspects of the park, including Cumberland Falls, hiking trails, the welcome center and gift shop, will remain open.