With headwaters in Bell County of southeastern Kentucky, the magnificent old Cumberland River meanders for 677 miles before flowing into the mighty Mississippi. Along the way, it runs southwest through central Kentucky, dips south to Nashville, Tennessee, and then flows northwest to become Lake Barkley in western Kentucky. The Cumberland is indeed one grand river! With some human intervention (Wolf Creek Dam), she forms Lake Cumberland south of Jamestown, Kentucky. Near Corbin, Kentucky, she has created beautiful Cumberland Falls—the Niagara of the South. There is much to do for outdoors enthusiasts in the Cumberland Lake area, and the camping is sublime. State resorts, national forest campgrounds and private RV parks are abundant in this gorgeous area of Kentucky.
Kentucky has 54,000 miles of streams and rivers, and of that, the Cumberland region has a goodly share. The terrain is rugged with steep hills that are coated by dense forests of poplars, hickory, maple, beeches and short needled pine trees. Autumn’s foliage is a spectacular sight! Narrow valleys are formed between the steep slopes, and rock cliffs hide among the trees. There is an abundance of wildlife, a wide variety of flora and wildflowers and a few sensational waterfalls to boot!
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Located just off Kentucky Highway 90, about 20 miles west of I-75 and the city of Corbin, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park displays fabulous Cumberland Falls. The waterfall is 125 feet wide and drops some 60 feet into the bolder encased gorge below. Above the falls, the Cumberland River runs shallow and wide. Below the falls, it becomes a deep churning river that is prized for its whitewater rafting. The mystical “Moonbow” seen in Cumberland Falls’ cool mist is only visible on crystal clear nights during the full moon. The park maintains 17 miles of hiking trails, which provide spectacular vistas of the falls, as well as an excellent viewing area near it.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a small beautiful park surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. Amenities in the park include the 52 room Dupont Lodge, private cottages and a small 50-site campground. Each site has water and electric hookups, and there is a dump station, laundry and showers available in the campground. The campsites are short and narrow. We had difficulty getting our 27-foot travel trailer setup. However, there were a few motorhomes in the campground. The park offers horseback riding, and the fishing is excellent in the Cumberland River.
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