After our honeymoon visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and its Peaks of Otter Lodge, Bluffs Lodge, and Pisgah Inn, we spent a night at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in southern Kentucky. Here is a review.
Cumberland Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the eastern United States. Known as the “Niagara of the South”, Cumberland Falls is known for being one of the rare places that moonbows are visible when the full moon is in the sky.
Cumberland Falls is the Niagara of the South. Photo by Angela Williams
The nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is the perfect place to stay when visiting the falls. Featuring the historic DuPont Lodge, along with cottages, hiking trails, and other outdoor activities, it’s a great vacation destination for both families and couples.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Features
- DuPont Lodge (51 Rooms)
- Woodland Rooms and Cottages
- Riverview Restaurant
- Campground (50 sites with Electric and Water Hookups, Camp Store)
- Fishing, Rafting, and Hiking Trails
- Cumberland Falls!
Making a Date for the Cumberland Falls Moonbow
The beauty of Cumberland Falls has captivated travelers from the days of Daniel Boone and the American Indians who knew “Cane-tuck-ee” as their happy hunting grounds. The 60-foot high waterfall spills over a boulder-strewn landscape which, when a full moon is visible, creates the only moonbow in the Western Hemisphere.
The moonbow dates are very popular at the Resort, so make sure reservations for those dates are made well in advance, and hope for a clear night! While there are hiking trails that lead to the falls from DuPont Lodge, parking adjacent to the falls is also possible. The park’s visitor center along with a concession stand and gift shop are also next to the waterfall.
No moonbow for us on this sunny day. Photo by Angela Williams
Convenient observation decks provide great views of Cumberland Falls. On most nice weekends, the picnic tables and gift shop next to falls are usually filled, which hearkens to the popularity of the falls as a simple day trip in addition to a weekend getaway.
Lodging at the State Resort Park
The historic DuPont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park recently underwent a renovation in 2006. Its 51 rooms are gorgeous and comfortable with Southern-style decor and appointments. A large observation deck provides excellent views of the winding Cumberland River.
The Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Photo by Angela Williams.
There are also nearby Woodland Rooms and Cottages which provide a touch more privacy than the lodge rooms. The park’s 50-site campground has both electric and water hookups, along with a camp store.
The DuPont Lodge is also host to the excellent Riverview Restaurant. The weekend dinner buffets are very popular with both guests and locals. Quality restaurants with buffets are typical of all the Kentucky State Resort Parks.
Cumberland Falls with its State Resort Park is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway. Families will find fun outdoor activities to keep everyone busy, while couples will find romance, quite possibly framed by a moonbow. Check out this review of Kentucky’s General Butler State Resort Park.
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