You’ll be happy to know that no dogs were harmed at this waterfall. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful in the region. Located at the bottom of a scenic gorge obscured by towering hemlock trees, this 15-foot fall plunges into a spectacular pool of teal water surrounded by large boulders and a cove. Even during the drier seasons, this fall remains a popular spot with visitors and is easily reached by the Dog Slaughter Trail off the Forest Road trailhead.

Journey along historic timber roads to Bad Branch Falls, an impressive cascade flowing over a dark rock wall in Bad Branch State Nature Preserve. You’ll hike along a scenic, one-mile trail that weaves through towering hemlock pines, sandstone cliffs, and striking rock formations, making the scenery as captivating as the destination. For more of a challenge, hike the High Rock Loop Trail there instead – it’s a little over two miles to the top of Pine Mountain.

Named after pioneer Jenny Wiley, these falls are near the Little Mud Lick Trail. Flowing 30 feet over ledges of limestone covered in lush green moss, Jenny Wiley Falls is a less than a mile hike on a somewhat challenging trail that is both narrow and winds downhill. Your best bet is to park at the nearby church, where a sign marks the trail entrance. It’s best to visit the falls from March through October due to the rains, but be careful on the trail, which can get slippery.

Lace up your hiking boots and take a camera because Kentucky’s tallest waterfall is ready for its close up. Tucked away in Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Yahoo Falls plunges an awe-inspiring 113 feet into a shallow pool below. Enjoy a moderate hike along the Yahoo Falls Trail, where you’ll trek across the creek above the cascades and down to the base of the falls for Instagram-worthy views. And for a unique perspective, go behind the falls themselves!

While the name might suggest that this waterfall is 76 feet, Seventy-Six Falls actually stands at an impressive 84 feet high, cascading dramatically into Indian Creek. This name likely originates from the nearby community of Seventy-Six, though some speculate the community was named after the waterfall itself. On the quick 0.4-mile walk there, you’ll enjoy plenty of shade, views of the water, and a boardwalk path!

Nicknamed “Niagara of the South,” Cumberland Falls more than lives up to its name, spanning 125 feet and plunging 68 feet into the Cumberland River. Surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest within Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, these falls are one of two places on the planet to view a moonbow. This natural phenomenon occurs when moonlight is refracted in water droplets during a full moon, creating a stunning rainbow effect—hike or raft to the falls for an up-close look.

Tucked away in Daniel Boone National Forest, this spectacular (and rare) double waterfall will take your breath away. Here, dual falls plunge from two different heights over a rust-colored alcove before connecting at the bottom in a picturesque jade pool overflowing into a rocky stream. The hike to the falls is short, just 1.4 miles out and back, and is parallel to a creek. Even better, the trail is dog-friendly (leashed), so you can explore this secluded spot with your four-legged friend.

The trail to Eagle Falls is a two-for-one deal: not only does it end at a stunning 44-foot waterfall, but it also offers sweeping views of the mighty Cumberland Falls. The first half of this 1.5-mile hike meanders along a cliffside, with a seasonal stream crossing that leads to a descent towards the falls. As you approach the falls, prepare to do some rock hopping, but it’s well worth the effort. These cascades flow over a stunning rocky ledge before plunging into a turquoise pool below!

If you’re up for a longer, more adventurous hike, the 5-mile out-and-back trail to Vanhook Falls is a must. The perfect showcase of Kentucky’s natural beauty, you’ll hike the Sheltowee Trace Trailhead in Daniel Boone National Forest. On the way, you’ll meander along Cane Creek and see everything from smaller waterfalls to impressive rock slabs and stone bluffs before reaching the main attraction – a slender stream of water flowing 40 feet into a sandstone cathedral.