In Louisville, we are surrounded by beauty. It’s everywhere, to the north, south, east and west of us. And now that the temps are waning, it’s the perfect time to get out in nature as the leaves are starting to turn. Namely, go see some of the region’s beautiful waterfalls and state parks. Here are sights to see both in Kentucky and Indiana.
KENTUCKY
Cumberland Falls
Location: 7351 Hwy. 90, Corbin, KY
Drive time from Louisville: 2 hours, 45 minutes (without traffic)
Cumberland Falls is probably the most famous on this list because of its moonbow, which is something not found anywhere else in the entire Western Hemisphere. A moonbow is a rainbow that you can only see at night, only during a full moon and only under a clear sky. This website lists the dates and specific times to see this rare occurrence. Cumberland Falls, a large waterfall stretching 125 feet across, is known as the Niagara of the South, and it’s part of the Daniel Boone National Forest, a spot that’s renowned for its beauty.
Moonbow over Cumberland Falls | Image: Aaron Shirk
Cumberland Falls | Image: Kentucky State Parks
Anglin Falls
Location: Anglin Falls Road, Mount Vernon, KY
Drive time from Louisville: 2 hours
Located near Berea, this 75-foot waterfall is part of John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest, which is described as a wooded gorge. This is a good place to visit after a big rain so that the waterfall will be in full effect. It is also a good side trip from Cumberland Falls, as it is not a long distance between the two. Berea College manages this public property, which is a hub for hikers, and also for botanists, with a vast wildflower and plant selection to browse.
Anglin Falls | Image: Trailblazer Photography
Anglin Falls | Image: Jane Roberts Volk
Mammoth Cave National Park
Location: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy., Mammoth Cave, KY
Drive time from Louisville: 1.5 hours
Mammoth Cave is more than just 400 miles of explored and documented caves; it’s a beautiful swath of land in south-central Kentucky that deserves to be explored above ground, as well. When the water level is up after a rain, there is a waterfall right at the historic entrance. There is also a 15.7-mile hiking trail loop around this area, which is used by both hikers and horseback riders.
Mammoth Cave entrance | Image: Rebecca Scholand
INDIANA
Hemlock Cliffs
Location: 811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, IN
Driving time from Louisville: 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Located in the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana, Hemlock Cliffs can only be accessed by hiking a little more than a mile into the interior of the forest. Once there, hikers will experience seasonal waterfalls, rugged hiking, rock shelters and a lush canopy. This area of the park is in Crawford County and has more than 200,000 acres of outdoor beauty.
Hemlock Falls | Image: Kywilderness.com
Clifty Falls
Location: 1501 Green Road, Madison, IN
Drive time from Louisville: Just over 60 minutes
The waterfalls at Clifty Falls are definitely seasonal, with four marked ones in the park and many more smaller ones waiting to be discovered. In addition to great and somewhat challenging hiking, the park also features many fossils, as is the case with much of this region. Hiking not your thing? Guests also can enjoy great trails for biking or explore the abandoned railroad cave, a must-see!
Clifty Falls near Madison IN | Image: Clifty Falls State Park
Enjoy your adventures! If you hit any of these waterfalls, take a photo and tag us on Instagram @styleblueprintlville, as we’d love to follow your adventures!
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