

Park signs claim this is the only moonbow-besides Victoria Falls at Zimbabwe, Africa-that can be seen on a predicted schedule. So you’re just standing in the correct angle where that light is being refracted off the mist. “The reason why we have it, in my opinion, is you’re able to stand between the water source and the light source. “You know, a lot of waterfalls just don’t produce a lot of mist,” Smitley says. Visitors and patient photographers can see this rare occurrence at the falls on clear nights when the moon is full. And it can be seen, Smitley says, so long as there’s plenty of mist spraying across what’s affectionately called the “Niagara of the South.” In 2013, Kentucky Life featured a segment on one of the state’s natural wonders: the moonbow at Cumberland Falls. This lunar light appears as a white bow that arcs downstream. That’s when as many as 2,000 come out to see the moonbow on clear nights.
KENTUCKY WATERFALL MOONBOW FULL
Still, for nighttime viewers, Smitley says, “If the full moon falls on the weekend, that’s going to be your busiest time.” Related: Its typically visible around five days a month, and each year, the park puts out a calendar.

Bret Smitley, a naturalist at the state park near Corbin, Kentucky, says it’s not so. The reoccurring moonbow can be seen at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin, Kentucky. You would think-judging from this crowd-that the gushing, 68-foot-tall waterfall was most popular at night. And all ages shared a collective hush as they stood-hundreds deep, in the dark-at the popular park’s upper overlook. The Moon, the Mist and Look at this An expert’s advice on Cumberland Falls Moonbow photography Kentucky is blessed with photo opportunities including one that shines at night - the Cumberland Fall Moonbow.

But, way past 10 p.m., the parking lot was getting mighty full under a full moon in May at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.Ĭouples strolled hand-in-hand on the lit, paved walkway. The Sheltowee Trace crosses the Cumberland River on KY 90. By nature, it would seem odd to watch a waterfall at night-in the dark. The Sheltowee Trace joins a park trail at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
