Williamsburg, Kentucky: Moonbow at Cumberland Falls

We arrived late in the day and found the place still buzzing with people. While beautiful, there were a lot of bugs (to be expected, so bring a blocker because we were bit up pretty bad), no easy water access (signs said no wading even), and the bathrooms were wretched.

The Falls are really pretty, and the surrounding trails are a treat. Nice access (except at the central overlook) for people with strollers, like us, as well as people in wheelchairs or using walkers.

On our way to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, TN, we saw the sign at the side of the highway -- a great side trip. More interesting than most of the falls in the National Park, worth seeing, falls enthusiast or not. If you want to see the moonbow, go when night comes earlier (fall, winter, spring) -- you will have a better chance of seeing it before the park closes.

Beautiful falls, and if you hit it right, the chance to see a moonbow (a rainbow caused my moon light). The moonbow can only be seen on crystal clear nights a couple of days around the full moon. I didn't see it. While it rained, several locals (who were there anyway, just in case) recommended coming during the winter. The falls are worth seeing whether or not you see the moonbow.

The Moon Bow is a rain bow only visible at night. It is located near Corbin, KY in an area known as Cumberland Gap. The Moon Bow is only visble on a very clear night during a full moon. The best time for viewing is aroung midnight. According to literature, this natural phenomenon only occurs in two places in the world -- the other is in Victoria Falls, Africa. The moon and this waterfall are in alignment so the the moon's light creates the "Moon Bow" in the spray created by the water fall. The night I was there I never saw a complete bow but the prism was clearly visible and was about 15 feet wide. I recommend a night's accommodation at the Dupont Lodge. The lodge is just minutes from the Moon Bow. It is a requirement to eat dinner at the lodge and sit next to the window. They throw out food and opossums, racoons, skunks, and foxes come there and eat while you enjoy your dinner.