Best dog-friendly waterfall hikes in Kentucky
39 verified hikes from our directory of 81 Kentucky waterfalls.
What we mean by dog friendly
Dog-friendly means the land manager allows leashed dogs on this specific trail. State parks and National Forests usually do; National Park trails almost never. We mark dog_friendly only when we've confirmed the policy applies to the trail, not just the parking lot.
One caveat: Leash rules are enforced. Bring a 6-foot leash, waste bags, and water for the dog. Hot rock and pavement burn paws — check temperature with your hand for 5 seconds before letting them walk on it.
Gear hint: Our dog Brook carries her own water in a fitted pack; we carry her booties for shale and hot pavement. Cold-water tail-tuck on small breeds is real — keep them out of glacial plunge pools.
The 39 picks
Each opens to a full page with trail distance, elevation gain, parking, fee, best months, and live conditions when available.
80 Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Alcorn Branch Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Amos Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Ataullah Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Bark Camp Branch Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Bark Camp Creek Cascades
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Bark Camp Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Bear Dog Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Bee Creek Road Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Boulder Cascade
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Boundry Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Box Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Copperas Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Creation Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Devil Creek Watefall
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Dog Fork Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Dog Slaughter Falls
20 ft · Daniel Boone National Forest
Eagle Point Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
East Mariba Fork Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Grandaddy Waterfalls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Lick Creek Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Lili’s Leap Falls
94 ft · Clifty Wilderness
Lower Mossy Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Mariba Arches Complex Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Mariba Fork Falls
112 ft · Clifty Wilderness
Mossy Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Olivia Addison Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Pine Creek Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Pooch's Turtle Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Silvermine Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Star Creek Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Swirly Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Turkey Foot Loop Trail Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Upper Laural Branch Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Vanhook Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
West Mariba Fork Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Wildcat Falls
height unverified · Clifty Wilderness
Wind Cave Cascades
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Yahoo Falls
height unverified · Daniel Boone National Forest
Before you go: 5 things we always check
- The official land manager's page for road and trail closures (linked on every individual waterfall page).
- The weather forecast for the area AND upstream — flash floods come from rain miles away.
- Recent ranger or hiker reports for slippery rock conditions.
- Whether the trail crosses a creek without a bridge — water levels change daily in snowmelt season.
- Cell coverage at the trailhead. Download offline maps in advance.
See our full safety disclaimer for the dangers we've flagged on individual waterfalls. Several have fatalities on record.