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Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

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Overview

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a state park in Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country, within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Wikivoyage guide · 18 sections

▸Introduction127 chars

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a state park in Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country, within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

▸Understand318 chars

A Kentucky State Park centered around Cumberland Falls, often called the "Niagara of the South", a natural waterfall 65 feet tall and 125 feet wide. A phenomenon known as a moonbow can be observed around the dates of the full moon. The only other place where this occurs on regular basis is Victoria Falls in Africa.

▸History118 chars

Established as a state park on August 21, 1931. The falls have been a tourist attraction since the mi,d-19th century.

▸Landscape150 chars

The park lies within the Cumberland Plateau. The landscape here consists of steep walled gorges separated by flat topped ridges of similar elevation.

Facts

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia757 words

Introduction

Park in Kentucky, United States Cumberland Falls State Resort ParkCumberland FallsCumberland Falls State Resort ParkLocation in KentuckyShow map of KentuckyCumberland Falls State Resort ParkLocation in United StatesShow map of the United StatesTypeKentucky state parkLocationMcCreary County & Whitley County, Kentucky, United StatesNearest cityCorbin, KentuckyCoordinates36°50′27″N 84°19′58″W / 36.84083°N 84.33278°W / 36.84083; -84.33278Area1,657 acres (671 ha)Elevation1,073 feet (327 m) EstablishedAugust 21, 1931OperatorKentucky Department of ParksVisitors750,000+ (in 2009)StatusOpen year-roundWebsiteOfficial website Edward Moss Gatliff Bridge Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a park located just southwest of Corbin, Kentucky, and is contained entirely within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The park encompasses 1,657 acres (671 ha) and is named for its major feature, 68-foot-tall (21 m) Cumberland Falls. The falls are one of the few places in the western hemisphere where a moonbow can frequently be seen on nights with a full moon. The park is also the home of 44-foot (13 m) Eagle Falls. The section of the Cumberland River that includes the falls was designated a Kentucky Wild River by the Kentucky General Assembly through the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves' Wild Rivers System. The forest in the park is also a dedicated State Nature Preserve.

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▸Climate226 chars

Kentucky has a moderate climate, characterized by warm, yet moist conditions. Summers are usually warm, and winters cool. An average 46 in (116 cm) of precipitation falls during the year, with spring being the rainiest season.

▸Get in238 chars

The park is located 21 miles southwest of Corbin, Kentucky. From I-75, take exit 25 and follow US 25 W south approximately 10 miles to KY 90. Driving west on KY 90 you will arrive at the state park. The route is well marked with signs.

▸Fees and permits36 chars

There are no fees to enter the park.

▸Get around109 chars

Visitors can either drive a short distance from the lodge to the falls or hike along the park's trail system.

▸See291 chars

The Cumberland Falls are the main attraction at the park. There are some smaller falls accessible by hiking trails, most notably Eagle Falls and Dog Slaughter Falls. The Bob Blair Museum is located at the falls viewing area and focuses on the natural and Native American history of the area.

▸Do1,268 chars

Hiking There are 17 miles of hiking trails within the park, some of which connect to the forest service trails of the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest.

Rafting The park offers guided rafting trips on the Cumberland River. The season runs from May through October depending on the water levels of the river.

Horseback riding The park offers guided horse trail tours for riders age 6 and up. The stables are open during weekends in May, September, and October. Daily tours are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Cost is $27 per person.

Swimming There is an Olympic-sized pool near the DuPont Lodge. Guests of the lodge, cottages, and woodland rooms swim for free. Non guest rates are $4 per adult (13 and up) and $3 per child. The pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Fishing is allowed on the Cumberland River. All persons 16 and older must have a valid Kentucky fishing permit.

Tennis, horseshoes, and shuffleboard are available to guests of the lodge, cottages, and woodland rooms. Equipment can be checked out at the lodge.

Gem mining The Cumberland Falls Mining Company is located at the falls viewing area. Different sized bags of material may be purchased and run through a screened flume. Open year round 9AM to 7PM.

▸Buy55 chars

There is a gift shop located at the falls viewing area.

▸Eat360 chars

1 Riverview Restaurant, toll-free: +1-800-325-0063. At the DuPont Lodge, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hours vary by season.

2 Snack Shop, toll-free: +1-800-325-0063. There is a concession stand near the falls viewing area. It is open April 1 through October 31.

Corbin, Kentucky is 21 miles from the park and has many restaurants to choose from.

▸Drink111 chars

There are no alcohol sales in the park. The closest Kentucky city that allows package alcohol sales is Corbin.

▸Lodging620 chars

1 DuPont Lodge, toll-free: +1-800-325-0063. In the park and has 51 rooms available. The park also has 26 Cottages and 20 Woodland Rooms available for rent. The Cottages come in one and two bedroom configurations. They feature fireplaces and full kitchens. The Woodland Rooms are duplex units and have two queen sized beds along with a partial kitchen (refrigerator, sink, and microwave). The lodge, Cottages, and Woodland Rooms are available year round. Reservations can be made through the park website up to one year in advance.

Corbin, Kentucky is 21 miles from the park and has several hotels to choose from.

▸Camping495 chars

2 Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, toll-free: +1-800-325-0063. The park has a campground containing 50 campsites, ranging from primitive to electric/water hookups, and is open from March 15 through November 15. The campground has a comfort station with showers and flush toilets. A camp store carries firewood, ice, and a basic selection of groceries. Reservations may be made through the park website up to one year in advance. A two-night minimum stay is required on weekends and holidays.

▸Backcountry187 chars

There is no overnight camping allowed in the back country. The park is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest and several forest service trails connect to the park's trail system.

▸Stay safe337 chars

There are exposed cliffs near the falls viewing area and along some of the trails. Be aware of cliff edges and keep an eye on small children and pets. Secure your food! There are black bears active in this part of Kentucky, and the raccoons are pervasive in the camping and lodging areas and will make short work of any unattended food.

▸Go next68 chars

Big South Fork National Recreation Area

Daniel Boone National Forest

[edit] After the discussion of building a hydroelectric power plant above the falls in 1927, Kentucky native T. Coleman du Pont offered to buy the falls and surrounding acreage in order to create a state park. Although he died before he could purchase the land, his wife purchased the falls and the 593 acres (240 ha) surrounding it for $400,000 on March 10, 1930, after the Kentucky General Assembly (legislature) approved the creation of the state park. Cumberland Falls was dedicated as a state park at 1:30 p.m. on August 21, 1931. Following a $2 million renovation project in 2006, the park received an upgraded rating from two diamonds to three diamonds from the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 2007. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park also received the upgraded rating. The two facilities were the first state resort parks to achieve the three-diamond rating following AAA's revision of its rating system in 2001.

Recreation

[edit] Visitor center Interpretive center Tennis Court Playgrounds Firepits Picnic tables in each cabin group, perfect for a cookout Mountain biking Hiking - approximately 20 miles of trails Fishing in Cumberland River Horseback rides Pool (recently refurbished) Different activities by the week for guests of the park such as square dancing, archery, arts and crafts, group hikes, and animal encounters White water rafting and canoeing on Cumberland River

The Dupont Lodge

[edit] 51 guest rooms 3 stories Home to the Riverview Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Patio outlook onto the Cumberland River Maid services provided Internet access

Cabins

[edit] Multiple modern one and two-bedroom Two different cabin groups In a standard one story cabin, there are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen There are also a few two-story cabins with the living room, kitchen, a half-bathroom, and a dining room upstairs, and the two bedrooms and connecting bathrooms downstairs Both cabin groups are dog-friendly Maid services provided Many cabins have been renovated Newly added internet access to both cabin groups There are "Woodland Suites" available that have the experience of a cabin, but at a smaller size and cheaper cost

Events

[edit] Backpacking 101 - (Several times a year) Native American Weekend - (March) Overnight Canoe Adventures - (April, May, October) Nature Photography Weekend - (April) Birding and Wildflower Weekend - (May) Kentucky Hills Craft Festival - (September) Moonbow Trail Trek - (November)

Hazards

[edit] The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to much wildlife, and although there are several beautiful animals, make sure to watch out for black bears and copperhead snakes The falls used to be an area of recreation for swimming, but that has been shut down due to the dangerous current of the river Each year people try to canoe over the falls, but this is very dangerous because of the rocks located underneath the waterfall

In popular culture

[edit] In Film The 1955 western The Kentuckian, starring Burt Lancaster, was partly filmed at Cumberland Falls. An establishing shot of Cumberland Falls is used in the 1997 action film Fire Down Below starring Steven Seagal. In Literature Silas House, the poet laureate of Kentucky, published a popular poem called "Cumberland Falls" in The Bitter Southerner magazine that uses the falls as a setting and a metaphor. It was also selected as a featured poem by the Academy of American Poets. Cumberland Falls also serves as a scene setting in Lee Cole's 2022 novel, Groundskeeping, House's 2001 novel Clay's Quilt, and Kim Trevathan's 2006 memoir, Coldhearted River.