As a native Kentuckian, the Moonbow at Cumberland Falls State Park was something that was easily accessible. I’ve heard about it my whole life but never truly realized just how special it was until adulthood.
A moonbow, also called a lunar rainbow, is an optical illusion that is caused when the light of the moon is refracted through the water droplets in the air. Moonbows are incredibly rare to see and occur less than 10% as often as conventional rainbows.
There are only two places in the entire world where you can see moonbows on a consistent basis. Yes, Cumberland Falls State Park is one of those places. Can you guess the other? The other location is Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border.
Now, there are other places where moonbows can occur. Yet, they are even rarer in these places as the conditions here are uncertain and not always met.
Where is Cumberland Falls State Park?
Cumberland Falls State Park is located in Eastern Kentucky near the city of Corbin. Cumberland Falls State Park is known for Cumberland Falls of course. This waterfall earned the nickname “the Niagara of the South” and stands at 68 feet tall and is an impressive 125 feet wide. Cumberland Falls, one would argue, is a bucket list item when visiting Kentucky… if not THE bucket list item.
Cumberland Falls State Park also hosts other waterfalls with two of our favorites being Eagle Falls and Dog Slaughter Falls. There is so much to do and explore at Cumberland Falls. Stay tuned as Cumberland Falls will be getting its very own blog that will cover everything you can do during your visit. If you are interested, Dog Slaughter and Eagle Falls already have their own blog that can help you plan your hiking there.
When Can I View the Moonbow?
Cumberland Falls State Park takes the guessing out of when you can expect to see the Moonbow. Here is a list of anticipated 2023 Moonbow dates. This schedule can be found on the Cumberland Falls State Park Facebook page. It’s important to remember that all times are approximate.
Where is the Best Place in the Park to View the Moonbow?
We should note that the best way to see the moonbow is through photography. It is rare for a moonbow to find the perfect conditions to present itself and even then, you’ll likely be looking at more of a white arch. However, if you focus closely enough, you’ll begin to see the colors. Yet, if you take a picture with a longer exposure time you are going to see a perfect moonbow.
While at Cumberland Falls, you are going to want to view the moonbow from the upper overlook which is the main overlook in the park. This is actually my least favorite view of Cumberland Falls itself but it’s the best place to view the moonbow. We have tried several other locations, and none show the moonbow as bright as the upper overlook. This overlook is also very easily accessible. It’s a short walk on a paved path from the parking lot.
We also recommend getting there very early to make sure you have a good seat to catch the spectacular phenomenon. The moonbow will be the brightest when the moon is about 40-45 degrees above the horizon. This can take an hour to up to six hours after sunset to happen depending on the time of year. We also recommend bringing a chair, snacks, blankets, and a rain jacket. The upper overlook can bring the mist that’s necessary for the moonbow down onto you.
Where can I find Lodging and Food?
Corbin, KY, which is only a short distance away, is going to be your best bet for lodging and food. There are several chain hotels and Airbnb’s available in the area. Be sure to check out Folktale Coffee and Bakehouse which is our favorite coffee shop… like ever! We always stop here when in Corbin. We also truly enjoy grabbing lunch or dinner at Yamato’s Japanese Steakhouse. Cumberland Falls State Park does offer lodging including cabins, cottages, campsites, and the Dupont Lodge. They also have a Riverview Restaurant and a concession stand in the park.
We hope this helps you plan your trip to the epic and rare moonbow that can be found right here in the state of Kentucky! As always, safe travels y’all! ~ Justin & Caitlin