Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

State: Kentucky. Type: state resort park in the Daniel Boone National Forest, just southwest of Corbin, spanning 1,657 acres (671 ha) across McCreary and Whitley counties. Dedicated as a state park August 21, 1931. Home to Cumberland Falls (68-foot drop) and one of the few places in the Western Hemisphere with a regularly occurring moonbow. Address: 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701; phone (606) 528-4121.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park protects a 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River, often nicknamed the 'Niagara of the South,' within the Daniel Boone National Forest near Corbin, Kentucky. The park's central natural feature is famous less for its size than for a rare optical phenomenon: on clear nights around each full moon, moonlight refracting through the falls' mist produces a moonbow, a phenomenon documented on a predictable schedule and considered one of the only such regularly occurring moonbows in the Western Hemisphere. The park was established in 1931 after T. Coleman du Pont's widow purchased the property, following legislative approval for a state park, and it now combines the waterfall with a historic lodge, cabins, hiking trails and river-based recreation across 1,657 acres.

The park sits just southwest of Corbin, Kentucky, within the Daniel Boone National Forest, across McCreary and Whitley counties, at 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701.

Specific park-level climate data was not detailed in the sources fetched; the park is open and operating year-round, including through winter conditions, per its own visitor information.

Moonbow viewing nights, tied to the lunar calendar, are a major draw and occur roughly 2-3 nights around each full moon (about 60 nights a year); 2026 viewing windows found in search results include March 30-April 3 and May 29-June 2, with best viewing typically between midnight and 2 a.m. under clear skies. Beyond moonbow timing, sources did not specify a single best season for general park visits.

The Kentucky legislature approved creation of a state park at the falls, and the widow of businessman T. Coleman du Pont purchased the property for $400,000 to make that possible. The park was dedicated on August 21, 1931, at 1:30 p.m. A $2 million renovation later helped the lodge earn a AAA three-diamond rating in 2007. The park recorded over 750,000 visitors in 2009 and remains open year-round.

Activities include hiking roughly 20 miles of park trails, fishing, horseback riding, and white-water rafting on the surrounding rivers; the park also runs seasonal programming such as square dancing and archery. Moonbow viewing at the falls is a signature nighttime activity tied to the lunar calendar.

Cumberland Falls itself (68-foot drop) is the park's centerpiece, alongside the smaller Eagle Falls (44-foot drop) reached via a hiking trail. The DuPont Lodge overlooks the falls area.

The park is located just southwest of Corbin, Kentucky, off Hwy 90. Sources fetched did not specify a nearest airport or exact driving distances from regional cities; this should be confirmed with further research.

The park itself is open year-round; sources fetched did not surface a specific daily gate-hours schedule for the falls overlook area, though moonbow viewing nights carry their own posted schedule tied to the lunar calendar (available via the park's official channels).

General park and falls-viewing access appears to be free based on available sources (consistent with most Kentucky state parks), though this was not explicitly stated in a fetched official source; lodge rooms, cabins and camping carry their own nightly rates not detailed in the sources fetched. Confirm current fee status directly with the park.

A half day covers the falls overlook and a short trail like the Eagle Falls hike; an overnight stay is common for visitors timing their trip to a moonbow viewing night, since the best viewing often falls between midnight and 2 a.m.

The park's own DuPont Lodge offers 51 guest rooms, and the park also has modern one- and two-bedroom cabins for families; both are bookable through the park's online reservation system. Corbin, the nearest city, likely has additional chain lodging, though this was not detailed in the sources fetched.

Sources fetched did not detail on-site or nearby dining options beyond noting the DuPont Lodge itself; this is a gap for further research rather than a guess.

The park sits within the larger Daniel Boone National Forest, which includes other protected areas and lakes; Corbin, the nearest city, was referenced as a location marker but its specific attractions were not detailed in sources fetched.

Sources fetched did not confirm the nearest airport; a personal vehicle is the practical way to reach the park given its location off Hwy 90 near Corbin.

Waterfall overlooks and river areas call for standard caution around slippery rocks and swift water; night visits for moonbow viewing should be planned with proper lighting and awareness of trail conditions in the dark. For any emergency, dial 911.

A flashlight or headlamp is advisable for nighttime moonbow viewing, along with sturdy footwear for trails near the falls. Sources fetched did not provide further destination-specific packing guidance.

Check the park's published moonbow schedule before visiting if that phenomenon is a priority, since it only occurs on specific nights around each full moon and requires clear skies to be visible. Book DuPont Lodge or cabin stays in advance for moonbow weekends, which are popular. Call the park directly at (606) 528-4121 to confirm current moonbow dates and viewing conditions.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park's main office can be reached at (606) 528-4121.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (Kentucky State Parks) - https://parks.ky.gov/corbin/parks/resort/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.