Dog Slaughter Falls trail can be located at Cumberland Falls State Park. This waterfall and the other falls at Cumberland Falls, are easily overlooked as Cumberland Falls takes center stage. And how can it not? Cumberland Falls is a magnificent view which is why it holds the nickname the “Niagara Falls of the South.”
However, don’t let the opportunity to hike these other trails pass you by. This 15 ft waterfall is one to include on your Kentucky waterfall bucket list!
I’ve done extensive research on why Dog Slaughter Falls got its name. I mean, we can all agree it’s not a very appealing name. There are different rumors about hunting dogs being killed here by their prey. There’s even rumors that locals would take dogs here to kill them. Each of these is unlikely and thus we will never truly know how this beautiful waterfall got such a horrendous name.
We visited Dog Slaughter Falls in May 2023 right after some spring showers. Typically, winter and early spring is our favorite time to visit waterfalls. The waterfalls are more likely to be stronger and less likely to be dried up considering winter and early spring are relatively wet seasons in the state of Kentucky. We’ve visited waterfalls several times in the summer to be disappointed at the trickling streams. There are also fewer bugs and snakes during this time of year. Honestly, we think it’s perfect and we plan almost all our waterfall trips between December and May. Yet, Cumberland Falls is the opposite of this. I believe the best view of Cumberland Falls is when the water is lower, and you can see more of the falls cascade down into the flowing river beneath.
Another amazing hike is Eagle Falls where you will get some amazing views of Cumberland Falls with fewer tourists than the main park viewing area. We urge you to check this hike out as well when visiting Cumberland Falls as it’s well worth the hike! You can check out our blog on Eagle Falls if you are interested in exploring more trails while at Cumberland Falls.
Getting There
You can access Dog Slaughter Falls trailhead on Forest Service Road 195. There are several different trails that you can do to access the trail. We were led directly to it by typing dog slaughter falls trail #414 into our GPS. We parked on the side of a gravel road. Unfortunately, the trailhead isn’t marked very well. However, there are lots of visitors to this trail and it is very popular so you’ll likely know when you arrive. Near the beginning of the trail, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge which will indicate you’ve found the right trail.
The Trail
Dog Slaughter Falls is a 15 ft waterfall that you’ll find at the end of a 2.5 miles out-and-back trail. The route is considered moderately challenging… which we agree with due to the steepness of the trail as you get closer to the waterfall. It takes an average of an hour to complete but we recommend accounting for an hour and a half or two hours to make sure you take in the beauty of the falls. Be careful on the rocks near the falls. These are very slippery, especially during the rainy season.
The trail is beautiful! You’ll find the typical markers of a Kentucky hike including giant boulders, rolling hills, and running rivers. During the spring and summer months you’ll likely run into some beautiful flora and fauna. We remind you to appreciate nature from afar and refrain from touching any plants or animals while hiking. Just because the plant is beautiful, does not mean it is safe. You’ll find the mountain laurel on this trial which is a flower bush that is breathtakingly beautiful… literally! This plant is dangerous as it is very poisonous and can lead to some deadly consequences.
We hope this helps you plan your hike to Dog Slaughter
Falls! If you have any questions about the hike, be sure to reach out to us by
commenting below or directly messaging us on Instagram. If you want more great
footage of Dog Slaughter Falls be sure to check out our Instagram page! Safe travels
y’all! – Justin & Caitlin