11 Best Waterfalls in Kentucky (2026 Updated)
Of the 18 named waterfalls in Kentucky, these 11 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Cumberland Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls, and Eagle Falls. The list spans the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork, Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky, and Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs.
How We Picked
We ranked the 11 publicly accessible Kentucky waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Cumberland Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Kentucky, holding 4.8 stars across 1,511 Google reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Huge waterfall tumbling 69-ft. over a sandstone bed, offering the occasional lunar rainbow sighting." Older records also call it The Great Falls. It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. Eagle Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Whitley City, about 11 miles to the southwest.
-
2. Dog Slaughter Falls
Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 121 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "This waterfall in the Daniel Boone National Forest empties into a swimming hole." It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. Eagle Falls is only 2.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Williamsburg, about 12 miles to the southeast.
-
3. Eagle Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 85 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "44-ft. waterfall over a rock ledge into an natural swimming hole, reached by a moderate loop trail." It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. Cumberland Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Whitley City, about 11 miles to the southwest.
-
4. Yahoo Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 91 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Whitley City, about 4.1 miles to the southeast.
-
5. Falls of the Ohio
Louisville, KY · Jefferson County · Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 11 reviews. It is one of 4 named falls in the Ohio Valley and Western Kentucky region. Falls of the Ohio is only 0.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Louisville, about 1.2 miles to the south.
-
6. Broken Leg Falls
Frenchburg, KY · Menifee County · Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 15 reviews. It is one of 5 named falls in the Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs region. The nearest town is Frenchburg, about 8.0 miles to the west.
-
7. Seventy Six Falls
Albany, KY · Clinton County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 148 reviews. 74% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Well-known, picturesque waterfall popular for kayaking & swimming, with picnic spots nearby." It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Albany, about 6.1 miles to the south.
-
8. Amos Falls
Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.2 stars across 11 reviews. It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Williamsburg, about 7.8 miles to the southeast.
-
9. Lick Falls
Sandy Hook, KY · Carter County · Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.2-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 13 reviews. It is one of 5 named falls in the Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs region. The nearest town is Sandy Hook, about 8.8 miles to the southwest.
-
10. Anglin Falls
Berea, KY · Rockcastle County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.5-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 93 reviews. 74% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Mile-long hiking trail through a forest preserve, terminating at a 75-ft. waterfall in a gorge." It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Berea, about 6.4 miles to the northwest.
-
11. Jock Falls
Monticello, KY · Wayne County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.9-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 18 reviews. It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Monticello, about 2.3 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Kentucky's Waterfalls
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.
Before You Go
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.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Kentucky Waterfalls
See all 18 waterfalls in the Kentucky waterfall guide, or browse by town: Whitley City, Williamsburg, Louisville, Frenchburg, Albany, Sandy Hook, Berea, Monticello.
More Kentucky Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Kentucky?
Cumberland Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 1,511 Google reviews. It is near Whitley City in McCreary County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 11 publicly accessible Kentucky waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in Kentucky?
Our directory lists 18 named waterfalls in Kentucky. See them all, sorted by town, in the Kentucky waterfall guide.
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.