Some of Kentucky’s waterfalls may have dried up, but we’ve found seven you can still swim under. Check out these stunning options for some heat relief.
Sometimes, all you want to do is jump into a cool body of water and feel a light mist and pitter-patter rain down on you—or at least we do. Swimming is our favorite activity in the summer months, and if it comes with a breathtaking view and an excursion to make it feel extra special, we’re even more thrilled. After all, there’s nothing better than packing up your oh-so-necessary SPF, water bottle, and snacks before hitting the road to find your next favorite watering hole.
And we’re blessed to have many in Kentucky. Some, like Broke Leg Falls, have largely dried up over the years or only have water in their falls after periods of heavy rain. Still, others remain fluid, consistently providing hikers, travelers, and locals a lovely spot to swim in the warmer months. Many of these waterfalls, like Flat Lick Falls, are found away from larger cities like Louisville, Lexington, or Bowling Green, but they may just be worth the drive if you’re in need of a sunshine-filled escape. With that said, here are seven waterfalls in Kentucky you can actually swim under.
1. Flat Lick Falls
Lazing in a watering hole with its very own waterfall is likely to transport you back to your childhood, whether you spent years pretending your showerhead was a waterfall or playing with your friends at a waterpark with those mushroom-like fixtures that rained water down. That sensation is precisely what you’ll get when you visit the Flat Lick Falls Recreation Area just outside of McKee, which is about one-and-a-half to two hours southeast of Lexington.
The watering hole in this recreational area is a natural beauty. Walls that look like giant stone slabs stacked on top of each jut out in a half-moon shape, leaving the middle perfectly open for swimmers to come take a dip. This dainty waterfall is a short walk from the entrance to the area, and there are picnic tables and other small spots to rest and even have some privacy scattered around the park. A nearby pizza shop, Hunt Brothers Pizza, is the perfect swim-day meal if you ask us!
But you won’t want to stop before you get to the waterfall. This is a beautiful sight to behold year-round—seeing it frozen is on our bucket list—but if you’re looking to swim, summer is your best option because the water will be warm and refreshing. Of course, there’s some seasonal overlap, so late spring and early fall are perfect contenders for a nice ol’ dip, too.
2. Cumberland Falls
Where Flat Lick Falls is a breezy jaunt, the path to Cumberland Falls is a true hike. You’ll need to follow the Eagle Falls Trail, which is two miles long and uneven at points, creating a harsher journey to the sweet, sweet swimming hole. These tribulations are made even worse if it’s rained recently, so we only recommend heading to Cumberland Falls if the ground is fully dry. You don’t want to fall and get hurt when you’re meant to be having a fun day!
Cumberland Falls is located near Corbin in southeastern Kentucky, and it’s earned some pretty lofty nicknames, including the Niagara of the South and even the Little Niagara. With names like that, it’s safe to say that Cumberland Falls is truly one of the most impressive waterfalls in Kentucky. Just don’t arrive too late, as there isn’t a ton of parking at the head of the trail.
Still, showing up early to swim can set your day down a lovely route. “It’s a difficult hike if you’re not experienced with hiking but absolutely worth it at the end when you can go swimming at the falls,” one visitor wrote in an AllTrails review. A second hiker seemed to agree, writing, “Loved the falls. Nice small little swimming spot to cool off. Some parts can be a little challenging, but doable.”
3. Gabe’s Creek Falls
There’s something about southeastern Kentucky’s geography that lends itself perfectly to pristine watering holes with light-as-air waterfalls—and that thing is called the Cumberland Mountains. This mountain chain stretches far and wide across the Bluegrass State, and it includes Pine Mountain, which is home to Gabe’s Creek Falls, a serene natural pool with so much vibrant greenery around it that it looks like it landed straight out of a fairy tale. For peak views and less-slippery paths to the falls, we recommend visiting this area in the middle of the summer.
Located near Harlan, Gabe’s Creek Falls is in a fairly rural area, so visitors will likely need to spend some time driving in before they can feel the freshwater of Gabe’s Branch Creek mold to their body and whisk their sweat away. Ferns and other sturdy trees line the area, but according to Hidden Swimming Holes, you can get there rather easily by following Route 2008 from Harlan until you reach Abner Branch Road. About three-quarters of a mile onto that road, you should see a gravel road, which you’ll want to turn onto. The gravel road is where folks park.
Gabe’s Creek Falls isn’t an official park, so you won’t see state-backed signage; this is a trust-the-process type of expedition, but it’s worth it when you smell the water hitting the shrubbery-coated stones that line the natural pool. The creek isn’t far from the gravel road. Simply follow the steps, and the waterfall should come into view quickly, per Hidden Swimming Holes. Then, follow it like your personal north star, and you’ll be set for a sensational day under one of the most unique waterfalls in Kentucky.
4. Vanhook Falls
Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest in London, Ky., Vanhook Falls is a beautiful destination that every hiking or swimming enthusiast should aim to experience at least once. It’s not the quickest or easiest to get to, with the waterfall being roughly 2.5 miles into the Sheltowee Trace Trail and the terrain being uneven at parts, per TripAdvisor.
However, this one is a little more on-the-map than Gabe’s Creek Falls. There are signs and specific parking for the trail where KY 192 meets KY 1193 (via The Kentucky Wildlands). One word of warning: Just don’t make a rookie mistake when you arrive. “BEWARE- the parking area is across the road so make sure that you start hiking at the correct trail head,” one TripAdvisor reviewer shared after their first hike to Vanhook Falls.
Vanhook Falls is surrounded by more trees and shrubbery than many other waterfalls in Kentucky, so our favorite time to visit this one is actually in the fall, not the summer. You won’t want to miss the vibrant red and orange leaves lighting up the area, especially when they start to fall and dot the watering hole like Halloween sprinkles on a cupcake. Still, summer is just as fun here.
5. Creation Falls
You probably didn’t click into this list expecting one of the waterfalls to have a sandy beach underneath it, but that’s exactly what you can expect if you hike to Creation Falls, located just outside Campton. The waterfall is situated along the Rock Bridge Trail, which is 1.5 miles long in total.
The trail is a rather easy one: AllTrails reviewers note that there are no extreme conditions on the trail, and it’s spacious enough for dogs to roam freely and even play in the creek when they need a break from walking. A family travel blog called No Bedtimes, No Borders even called the lead-up to Creation Falls “the best hike for kids in the Red River Gorge.” While kids generally fare well on this route, we still wouldn’t take strollers, as AllTrails reviewers have noted that the trail isn’t great for wheels.
Like many others on this list, the trail that houses Creation Falls is located in a fairly rural area, so you’ll need to look for a long gravel road that leads to the trailhead, per AllTrails. If you follow Sky Bridge Road, you should have no problem reaching the area. When planning your visit, make sure you account for the weather. This area is prone to extra-slippery conditions after precipitation of any kind, so we recommend visiting during a drier portion of the summer. When you arrive, you’ll want to park at the Rock Bridge Picnic Area. From there, a beachy adventure awaits you.
6. Dog Slaughter Falls
Dog Slaughter Falls is one of those names that really makes you scratch your head, especially when you see how drop-dead gorgeous the waterfall and watering hole are. According to The Sentinel Echo, there’s no clear consensus on how the waterfall’s name came to be, but some locals have speculated that the surrounding area was once a place where “unwanted pets” were drowned. Whether that’s true or not is a mystery, but what we do know is that the waterfall looks like a painting come to life—and there are no horror stories of disembodied barks or meows in the area.
This area’s rumored dark history makes it an intriguing visit during the fall, when Halloween vibes are in the air and the surrounding forestry is ablaze. On the other hand, you may want to visit in the early summer when the water level is likely at its highest. When you arrive, there’s a small bit of parking that one AllTrails reviewer noted fits “about six vehicles.” To find this lot, go “2-3 miles” past the initial Hwy 90 access to the park, as some of the trail is off-limits at times.
From there, you’ll want to follow the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail. The trail is 2.5 miles long in total, but if you park where the aforementioned reviewer did, you’ll only need to hike about 1.5 miles to reach the waterfall. This one looks like a beautiful alcove, as if you’ve just stumbled upon an ancient watering hole previously lost to history. Make sure to take a few pictures for the memories, but then enjoy your day under one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Kentucky.
7. Seventy Six Falls
We’ve saved one of the biggest waterfalls in Kentucky for last. Enter Seventy Six Falls, a wide waterfall with a very spacious watering hole located near the unincorporated community of Seventy Six in Clinton County. Did we mention there are other waterfalls along the route, too? According to one Instagram travel influencer, there are a total of 19 waterfalls along the trail. No one’s exactly sure how Seventy Six Falls got its numerical name, but that doesn’t matter when you see how breathtaking the area is.
The height of the main waterfall has changed a lot over the years and even season by season, according to Clinton County’s official website. At some points, it’s over 80 feet high, and at others, it lands around 40 feet. No matter how high the water is at the moment when you visit, you need to see it at least once—and with it being so spacious, you’re going to want to bring the whole family. It is, in fact, easy for everyone to get involved because the trail’s total length is just 0.4 miles (via AllTrails).
Your excursion at Seventy Six Falls will see you following the Indian Creek, and you can go about it two ways. You can park in a small lot with nearby picnic tables off of Hwy 90, which will provide you with prime trail access and views of the waterfall. Or, you can get your hands dirty and get to the waterfall via boat or kayak, which adds extra flair and swiftness to your trip.
In any case, you likely won’t be alone; Seventy Six Falls is a fairly popular destination for visitors and locals alike, so you may just make some friends along the way. Late spring and summer are perfect times to visit this waterfall because the water levels are higher. If you’re not looking to swim, we recommend a winter visit due to the area looking magical when dusted with snow.
