Our Custom Guide Will Take You to Five Dreamy Waterfalls Within Driving Distance of Cincy

The only thing better than visiting one scenic waterfall is visiting multiple scenic waterfalls. The full waterfall loop we planned out takes a little over eight and a half hours of total driving time from Cincinnati and back. Although most waterfalls don’t have exact addresses, the ones provided will get you close enough to find signs that will point you to parking and directions for the falls. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

Stop #1: Seventy Six Falls / ADDRESS: 1749 Seventy Six Falls Road, Albany, KY (42602) / The first stop is around three and a half hours south of Cincinnati in Albany, KY at a spot called Seventy Six Falls. Its name doesn’t refer to its height (which is around 40 feet at normal pool levels), but rather the nearby town of Seventy Six. Tucked into Lake Cumberland, these falls are best viewed by boat, but you can also see them from the observation area located at the top of the falls where there's a picnic area with a shelter and benches. It’s a great place to enjoy a bite to eat before hopping back on the loop. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20{ }<p></p>

Stop #2: Princess Falls / ADDRESS: 979 KY-92, Stearns, KY (42647) / Head about an hour east to find the next stop, Princess Falls. Follow the address to a gravel parking area. There is a two-and-a-half-mile trail with an elevation gain of 95 feet that highlights Princess Falls as well as a waterfall called Julia Lynn Falls. The trail leads you along the Lick Creek and runs parallel with the Cumberland River. You’ll also get to hike a section of Sheltowee Trace, which is known for its lengths along the Appalachian Trail. The falls themselves make for an excellent swimming hole with clear, cold water. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

$We recommend downloading the{ }<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile" target="_blank" title="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile">AllTrails app</a>{ }in advance to show exactly where you are on the waterfall trails. Many trails have small offshoots that are easy to get lost on. It’s also easier to find the trails by searching the trailhead names in addition to the provided addresses. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20$

Julia Lynn Falls is located on the way to Princess Falls. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

$We recommend downloading the{ }<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile" target="_blank" title="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile">AllTrails app</a>{ }in advance to show exactly where you are on the waterfall trails. Many trails have small offshoots that are easy to get lost on. It’s also easier to find the trails by searching the trailhead names in addition to the provided addresses. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20$

Stop #3: Cumberland Falls / ADDRESS: 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY (40701) / Cumberland Falls is just about a half-hour drive from Princess Falls. As the central feature of the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, this stop features paved walking trails, a visitor center, and plenty of great spaces to overlook the falls. Known as the “Niagra of the South,” it’s the largest waterfall in Kentucky at 69 feet tall and 125 feet wide. On the right night, you’ll get a chance to see a “Moonbow”—a rare phenomenon of a rainbow at night. You can spot them when the sky is clear during a full moon. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

$If you’re making this road trip a two-day excursion, Cumberland Falls is a great place to stop and camp for the night. We camped at Ridgeline Campground, but there are also RV spots, cottages, and a lodge available for the night. Visit{ }<a href="https://kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=KY&parkId=91904#sr_a" target="_blank" title="https://kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=KY&parkId=91904#sr_a">this site</a>{ }to see where we reserved our stay. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20$

Stop #4: Eagle Falls / ADDRESS: 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY (40701) / Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is also home to Eagle Falls, a 44-foot waterfall reached by a moderate loop trail. The 1.8-mile trail (marked Trail 9) has a 633-foot elevation gain and may not be suited for dogs or small children. There are a lot of stairs to climb that take you through some diverse terrain. It’s worth the trek, though, as it leads to the beautiful Eagle Falls and its natural swimming hole. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

$We recommend downloading the{ }<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile" target="_blank" title="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile">AllTrails app</a>{ }in advance to show exactly where you are on the waterfall trails. Many trails have small offshoots that are easy to get lost on. It’s also easier to find the trails by searching the trailhead names in addition to the provided addresses. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20$

Cumberland Falls viewed from{ }Eagle Falls trail / Image: Catherine Viox{ }// Published: 9.28.20

Stop #5: Flat Lick Falls / ADDRESS: Flat Lick Falls Recreation Area, McKee, KY (40447) / The waterfall that wraps up our roundup is Flat Lick Falls, which is a little over an hour from Eagle Falls. The observation deck is easily accessed by a 0.6-mile hike that features an elevation gain of 65 feet with great views of the falls. If you’re up for the full loop trail, it has some challenges such as crossing several streams. Swimming is allowed in the creek, and there is also a shelter, RV hookups, and camping available at the spot, as well. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

$We recommend downloading the{ }<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile" target="_blank" title="https://www.alltrails.com/mobile">AllTrails app</a>{ }in advance to show exactly where you are on the waterfall trails. Many trails have small offshoots that are easy to get lost on. It’s also easier to find the trails by searching the trailhead names in addition to the provided addresses. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20$

When you’re ready to head home from Flat Lick Falls, you’ll be back in Cincinnati in about two and a half hours. / Image: Catherine Viox // Published: 9.28.20

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