Cumberland Falls State Resort Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumberland Falls State Resort Park |
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Cumberland Falls
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| Type | Kentucky state park |
| Location | McCreary County & Whitley County, Kentucky, United States |
| Nearest city | Corbin, Kentucky |
| Area | 1,657 acres (671 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,073 feet (327 m) |
| Established | August 21, 1931 |
| Operated by | Kentucky Department of Parks |
| Visitors | 750,000+ (in 2009) |
| Status | Open year-round |
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a cool place to visit in Kentucky, USA. It's located near Corbin, Kentucky. The park is inside the Daniel Boone National Forest.
This big park covers about 1,657 acres (that's over 2.5 square miles!). It's famous for its main attraction, Cumberland Falls. These falls are 68 feet tall!
One of the most amazing things about Cumberland Falls is the "moonbow." This is like a rainbow, but it's made by moonlight instead of sunlight. It's one of the few places in the world where you can often see a moonbow, especially on nights with a full moon. The park is also home to another waterfall, Eagle Falls, which is 44 feet tall.
The part of the Cumberland River that flows through the park is special. It's called a Kentucky Wild River. The forests in the park are also protected as a State Nature Preserve.
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Park History: How it Became a Park
In 1927, there was talk about building a power plant above Cumberland Falls. This would have changed the falls forever. But a man named T. Coleman du Pont had a different idea. He wanted to buy the falls and the land around them. His goal was to create a state park for everyone to enjoy.
Mr. du Pont passed away before he could buy the land. But his wife, Mrs. du Pont, made his dream come true! On March 10, 1930, she bought the falls and 593 acres of land. It cost $400,000. The Kentucky General Assembly (which is like Kentucky's government) agreed to create the state park. Cumberland Falls officially became a state park on August 21, 1931.
In 2006, the park got a big upgrade! They spent $2 million to make things even better. Because of these improvements, the park's rating went up in 2007. It changed from two diamonds to three diamonds from the American Automobile Association (AAA). This is a special rating for hotels and resorts. Cumberland Falls was one of the first state parks to get this high rating.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has lots of activities for visitors!
- Visitor's center: Learn more about the park.
- Interpretive center: Discover the nature and history of the area.
- Tennis Court: Play a game with friends or family.
- Playgrounds: Fun for younger kids.
- Firepits: Perfect for campfires and s'mores.
- Picnic tables: Enjoy a meal outdoors.
- Mountain biking: Ride bikes on exciting trails.
- Hiking: Explore about 20 miles of trails.
- Fishing: Try to catch fish in the Cumberland River.
- Horseback rides: See the park from a different view.
- Pool: Take a swim in the recently updated pool.
- Weekly activities: Join in on square dancing, archery, arts and crafts, group hikes, and even animal encounters!
- White water rafting and canoeing: Go on an adventure on the Cumberland River.
The Dupont Lodge: Where to Stay
The Dupont Lodge is a great place to stay at the park.
- It has 51 guest rooms.
- The lodge has three stories.
- The Riverview Restaurant is inside the lodge. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- There's a patio where you can look out over the Cumberland River.
- Maid services are provided to keep your room tidy.
- You can also get internet access here.
Cozy Cabins: Another Place to Stay
If you prefer a cabin, Cumberland Falls has those too!
- There are many modern cabins with one or two bedrooms.
- They are split into two different cabin groups.
- A standard one-story cabin has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen.
- Some cabins have two stories. The living room, kitchen, a half-bathroom, and dining room are upstairs. The two bedrooms and bathrooms are downstairs.
- Both cabin groups welcome dogs!
- Maid services are provided.
- Many cabins have been updated.
- You can now get internet access in both cabin groups.
- There are also "Woodland Suites." These are smaller and cheaper than cabins, but still offer a similar experience.
Exciting Events Throughout the Year
The park hosts special events all year long!
- Backpacking 101: Learn how to go backpacking (several times a year).
- Native American Weekend: Celebrate Native American culture (March).
- Overnight Canoe Adventures: Paddle and camp overnight (April, May, October).
- Nature Photography Weekend: Learn to take amazing nature photos (April).
- Birding and Wildflower Weekend: Discover birds and beautiful flowers (May).
- Kentucky Hills Craft Festival: See and buy local crafts (September).
- Moonbow Trail Trek: Hike under the moon (November).
Staying Safe at the Park
It's important to be aware of a few things to stay safe at the park.
- The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to many animals. While they are beautiful, keep an eye out for black bears and copperhead snakes.
- Swimming near the falls used to be allowed, but it's now closed. The river current there is very strong and dangerous.
- Canoeing over the falls is extremely risky. There are many rocks hidden under the waterfall, which makes it very dangerous. Please do not try this.
