Peak season Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Blinutne assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ Cumberland Falls Moonbow — Kentucky
Cumberland Falls in Kentucky is one of only two places in the world where a permanent moonbow — a rainbow produced by moonlight rather than sunlight — can be reliably observed each month. On clear nights around the full moon, the mist from this 20-metre-wide, 12-metre-high falls generates a faint but distinct arc of colour visible to the naked eye and spectacular in long-exposure photography. The phenomenon recurs every lunar cycle, making it far more regularly predictable than most rare natural events. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the falls themselves flow year-round through the Daniel Boone National Forest, providing a genuine wilderness setting for one of the most unusual natural optical phenomena on Earth.
About this spectacle
On clear nights around the full moon, visitors to Cumberland Falls gather along the viewing area above the gorge to witness one of Earth's rarest optical phenomena: a moonbow. As moonlight refracts through the mist rising from the 20-metre-wide, 12-metre-high curtain of falling water, a faint arc of pale colour materialises in the darkness below. To the naked eye it appears as a ghostly white or softly tinted arch; with a camera set to long exposure, rich bands of colour bloom across the frame. The thunderous sound of the falls surrounds you, and cool mist drifts across the overlooks, making the air feel alive. The falls flow through Daniel Boone National Forest year-round, so even the hike to the overlook passes through genuine old-growth forest. The moonbow recurs predictably each lunar cycle, giving visitors a reliable celestial calendar to plan around — a rarity among natural wonders.
When to go
Jan — Dec
Getting there
Nearest airport: LEX. Nearest city: Corbin.
Booking options
Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
More like this.
Returns Jan 2027 Abisko Aurora Sky Station
Sweden
Off-season Actun Tunichil Muknal — Cayo Belize
San Ignacio, Cayo District, BZ
Peak season Aekingerzand
NL