10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Kentucky (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Kentucky's 18 named waterfalls, starting with Cumberland Falls. The list spans the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork and Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 11 publicly accessible Kentucky waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Cumberland Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 4,816 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 87% of its 1,511 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Huge waterfall tumbling 69-ft. over a sandstone bed, offering the occasional lunar rainbow sighting." It is one of 9 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork region. The nearest town is Whitley City, about 11 miles to the southwest.
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2. Dog Slaughter Falls
Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 462 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 90% of its 121 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it 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. The nearest town is Williamsburg, about 12 miles to the southeast.
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3. Eagle Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 564 photos of it on Google, about 6.6 for every review. 88% of its 85 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it 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. The nearest town is Whitley City, about 11 miles to the southwest.
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4. Seventy Six Falls
Albany, KY · Clinton County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 367 photos of it on Google, about 2.5 for every review. 74% of its 148 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it 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.
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5. Anglin Falls
Berea, KY · Rockcastle County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 364 photos of it on Google, about 3.9 for every review. 74% of its 93 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Mile-long hiking trail through a forest preserve, terminating at a 75-ft. waterfall in a gorge." The setting includes Hart Hollow (valley, 0.9 mi) and Pig Hollow (valley, 0.9 mi). 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.
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6. Yahoo Falls
Whitley City, KY · McCreary County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 591 photos of it on Google, about 6.5 for every review. 84% of its 91 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). 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.
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7. Amos Falls
Williamsburg, KY · Whitley County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 42 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 73% of its 11 reviewers rate it five stars (4.2 average). The setting includes Polly Hollow (valley, 1.9 mi). 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.
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8. Broken Leg Falls
Frenchburg, KY · Menifee County · Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 41 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 67% of its 15 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). 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.
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9. Jock Falls
Monticello, KY · Wayne County · Cumberland Plateau and Big South Fork
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 26 photos of it on Google. 72% of its 18 reviewers rate it five stars (3.9 average). The setting includes Pump Station Hill (summit, 0.3 mi) and Missouri Hollow (valley, 0.6 mi). 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.
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10. Lick Falls
Sandy Hook, KY · Carter County · Red River Gorge and the Eastern Knobs
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 28 photos of it on Google, about 2.2 for every review. 69% of its 13 reviewers rate it five stars (4.2 average). 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.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Kentucky Waterfalls
See all 18 waterfalls in the Kentucky waterfall guide, or browse by town: Whitley City, Williamsburg, Albany, Berea, Frenchburg, Monticello, Sandy Hook.
More Kentucky Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful 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?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 11 publicly accessible Kentucky waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
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.