This is one of my favorites in the region, and this is the first time I’ve taken the short route to get there. With the family along for Thanksgiving, this was a perfect hike to cap off a wonderful day. The creek has a couple slides and cascades along the way, but the scene at Dog Slaughter Falls is among the best in Kentucky. And, with the tail end of dry season, I enjoyed a 360-degree walk around and beneath the falls.

This is a must-visit for anyone hiking Kentucky. Known as the Niagra of the South, Cumberland Falls is a gorgeous, powerful waterfall and has all the overlooks to go with it;-) Here are the four developed viewing platforms on the Whitley County side of the river. More views can be had across the river from Eagle Falls Trail.

The cascades of Bark Camp Creek are a fantastic destination that can be enjoyed year-round. The hike follows the trail on the north side of the creek with rock walls and wet weather waterfalls lining the north side of the trail. Pack a lunch, pick a rock, and enjoy the view.

We were camping a little down the road and decided to catch a quick sunset at Dry Land Bridge. This roadside attraction has views predominantly to the south and south-southeast, so not the best sunset spot, but it was pretty solid for a quick view during Golden Hour.

This little hike off the southwestern reaches of Laurel River Lake will take you to a pair of arches separated by only a few hundred yards. Whippoorwill is a big beauty while Whippersnapper has its own playful charm.

We visited four arches on this day and Phalanx Arch was the perfect way to close out the day. It’s a big, beautiful arch and in terms of photo-friendliness, it’s a great one! LaFonda enjoyed looking up at the arch with sunlight coming through its chimney.

This was the third quick out and back hike of our day, and it’s a wonderful arch just off some double-track trail. There was a decent sized camping area just above the arch and plenty of space to play below.

I do enjoy small arches like this one. It reminds me a lot of Arch of Triumph in Red River Gorge and is definitely on the playful side. It’s easy to miss even though it sits right off some double-track trail, so be sure to add the GPS waypoints below.

There are two Moonshiner’s Arches in Kentucky - this one in Whitley County and the other further north in Menifee County. Both are short hikes, large arches, and have chimneys in each, but this one is just a little prettier;-) Anytime you’re in the Cumberland Falls area, this arch is worth a quick stop.

This short hike is mostly easy hiking with a number of staircases leading to the fire tower that provides a gorgeous view of Cumberland River in the distance. It is on the national list of historic fire towers and is one of only a handful in the country with a full residence at the top. Access to the top deck is available at announced times when the park provides tours of the tower.

This was the perfect hike to enjoy some long-awaited snowfall and take full advantage of waterfall season! This loop features Vanover Falls and the snow-covered rhododendron really set off an unnamed waterfall we came across in the second half of the hike.

Among the best hikes in the Commonwealth, enjoy Cumberland Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls, and Eagle Falls on a single day hike. Along the way, take in sweeping vistas from Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower.

This short, but somewhat strenuous hike yields outstanding views of both Cumberland and Eagle Falls at Cumberland State Resort Park. We hiked it in the Spring and the water didn't disappoint.