Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open. On October 29, 2026, the NPS alerts feed for Big South Fork listed four alerts, none about Yahoo Falls. The park's conditions page, updated July 6, 2026, listed no closures. What the status labels mean
Yahoo Falls is a 113-foot plunge on Yahoo Creek in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, northwest of Whitley City, Kentucky. The National Park Service calls it Kentucky's tallest waterfall. A 1-mile loop, easy apart from some very steep metal steps, passes behind the falls under a large rock shelter. Entry is free, and on October 29, 2026, none of the park's alerts concerned Yahoo Falls.
About Yahoo Falls
Yahoo Falls drops 113 feet, according to the National Park Service (NPS). The park's press kit, updated May 21, 2025, says 'Big South Fork is home to Kentucky's tallest waterfall, Yahoo Falls.' Kentucky Tourism and Wikipedia give the same height. It is a plunge on Yahoo Creek.
Tallest is not the same as biggest. Cumberland Falls is shorter, about 68 feet per Wikipedia, but about 125 feet wide. Kentucky Tourism contrasts Yahoo Falls with 'nearby Cumberland Falls and its hordes of visitors.' Cumberland Falls, not Yahoo, is the Kentucky falls with the moonbow.
The Yahoo Falls area has changed hands. The Forest Service developed the Yahoo Falls area when it was part of the Cumberland National Forest. It passed to the NPS's Big South Fork in 1987, according to a 2022 NPS release.
In 2022, the NPS renovated the Yahoo Falls picnic area. It has a 1960s pavilion and 15 picnic sites, and restrooms are available there.
Getting there and parking
Yahoo Falls is in McCreary County, northwest of Whitley City, the NPS says. Kentucky Tourism's directions: take KY 700 off US 27 at Whitley City, then follow a gravel road 1.5 miles to the Yahoo Falls picnic area and trailhead.
Kentucky Tourism reports 'good parking' at the trailhead and advises against leaving valuables in your car. We found no lot size or time when it fills.
You don't pay to get in. The NPS fees page, updated March 3, 2026, says "An entrance pass is not required to access Big South Fork." We found no permit or reservation for the Yahoo Falls trail.
For questions, the park's main line is (423) 569-9778, and the Bandy Creek Visitor Center answers at (423) 286-7275. The NPS covers this area on its trail map 1, 'Ky North.'
Kentucky Tourism calls Cumberland Falls 'nearby', so you can plan both on one trip. Creation Falls is in the Red River Gorge, farther north. Our Kentucky waterfalls guide compares all three.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
The Yahoo Falls loop is 1 mile long, per the NPS Kentucky trails page, updated October 14, 2026. It adds that 'The trail is easy with the exception of some very steep metal steps.' We found no official walking time or elevation gain.
The loop's main feature is the walk behind the falls. The NPS says the loop "passes behind the falls under one of the largest rock shelters in the area." You don't need to leave the marked trail to get behind the water.
Take the steep metal steps slowly, especially when they are wet, and hold small children's hands on them.
Dogs may come on a leash 'no longer than 6 feet,' the NPS says. Plan for the metal steps before you bring a dog that balks at stairs.
We could not confirm an accessible route. With very steep metal steps on the loop, the NPS description does not suggest a wheelchair-friendly trail.
Yahoo Arch side trip
Yahoo Arch is a sandstone arch about 100 feet long, according to the NPS. Kentucky Tourism says the spur to it is an "out and back that will add 1.6 miles." A 2022 NPS ranger-led hike to both the falls and the arch covered 2.6 miles.
We could not confirm which agency manages the land at Yahoo Arch, so follow the signs and any posted rules at the junction.
A longer day
If one mile is not enough, Kentucky Tourism lists the Yamacraw-Yahoo Falls Loop at 15.4 miles. Get a current trail map from the NPS before you try it.
When to visit
Flow is best in spring after rain, according to Kentucky Tourism. It says the falls are 'reduced to a trickle in the summer.' Come after a wet spell in spring for the most water over the 113-foot drop. The NPS notes that water volume is significantly reduced during periods of dryer weather.
A summer visit can still be worthwhile for the rock shelter walk and the arch. Just expect low water at the falls.
We found no posted NPS hours for the Yahoo Falls trail or picnic area.
As of October 29, 2026, the NPS alerts feed for Big South Fork listed four alerts, and none concerned Yahoo Falls. The park's conditions page, updated July 6, 2026, listed no closures. Check both again the week of your trip.
| Height | 113 ftNote: per NPS, which calls it Kentucky's tallest waterfall; Kentucky Tourism and Wikipedia give the same figure |
|---|---|
| Trail | A 1-mile loop that passes behind the falls under a large rock shelter, 'easy with the exception of some very steep metal steps' (NPS). The out-and-back spur to Yahoo Arch adds 1.6 mi (Kentucky Tourism) |
| Difficulty | Easy except for some very steep metal steps (NPS) |
| Entry fee | Free: 'An entrance pass is not required to access Big South Fork' (NPS fees page, updated March 3, 2026) |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or reservation found for the Yahoo Falls trail |
| Parking | Picnic area lot, 1.5 mi of gravel off KY 700 |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash 'no longer than 6 feet' (NPS) |
| Swimming | No NPS swimming rule found for Yahoo Falls. A 23-year-old was found dead in the water here on March 29, 2024, after an apparent fall (NPS) |
| Wheelchair / stroller | We could not confirm an accessible route; the NPS notes some very steep metal steps on the loop |
| Walk behind the falls | Yes |
| Restrooms | Available at the Yahoo Falls picnic area (NPS) |
| Best time to visit | Spring after rain; the falls are 'reduced to a trickle in the summer' (Kentucky Tourism) |
| Crowds | No crowd counts found. Kentucky Tourism contrasts it with 'nearby Cumberland Falls and its hordes of visitors' |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area |
Safety and swimming
We found no NPS swimming rule for Yahoo Falls. If you go near the water at the base, expect hidden rocks and slick footing, and think hard before you wade.
Falls from height are a real risk here. On March 29, 2024, a 23-year-old was found dead in the water at Yahoo Falls after an apparent fall, according to an NPS release.
Stay on the marked loop, especially on the metal steps. Do not climb the rock shelter walls, the falls or the arch.
Keep children close under the overhang and near the top of the steps. In low summer flow the falls may look tame, but the drop is still 113 feet.
Kentucky Tourism advises against leaving valuables in your car at the trailhead. Read our waterfall safety guide before you go.
Where to stay near Yahoo Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Whitley City.
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Yahoo Falls FAQ
How long is the Yahoo Falls trail?
The NPS says the loop is 1 mile and easy except for some very steep metal steps. We found no official walking time or elevation gain.
Where is Yahoo Falls?
In the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in McCreary County, Kentucky, northwest of Whitley City. Kentucky Tourism says to take KY 700 off US 27 at Whitley City, then a gravel road 1.5 miles to the picnic area and trailhead.
How tall is Yahoo Falls?
113 feet, according to the NPS, which calls it Kentucky's tallest waterfall. Kentucky Tourism and Wikipedia give the same height.
How much does the Yahoo Arch side trip add?
Kentucky Tourism says the out-and-back spur to Yahoo Arch adds 1.6 miles to the 1-mile falls loop. A 2022 NPS ranger hike to both covered 2.6 miles. The NPS describes the arch as about 100 feet long.
Is Yahoo Falls free?
Yes. The NPS says an entrance pass is not required to access Big South Fork, and we found no trail permit or parking fee.
Are dogs allowed at Yahoo Falls?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, per the NPS. Plan for the very steep metal steps on the loop.
When does Yahoo Falls have the most water?
In spring after rain, according to Kentucky Tourism. It says the falls are reduced to a trickle in summer. In summer, expect low water at the falls.
Nearby waterfalls
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On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes · Free waterfalls · Waterfalls you can walk behind
Sources
- NPS Big South Fork: Kentucky Trails (updated Oct 14, 2026)
- NPS Big South Fork: Press kit (updated May 21, 2025)
- NPS Big South Fork: Fees and passes (updated Mar 3, 2026)
- NPS Big South Fork: Pets
- NPS Big South Fork: Current conditions (updated Jul 6, 2026)
- NPS Big South Fork: Sandstone arches
- NPS: Park staff conduct major renovations to Yahoo Falls picnic area (2022)
- NPS: Local Kentucky area resident found deceased from apparent fall in park (Mar 29, 2024)
- NPS Big South Fork: Trail maps
- Kentucky Tourism: Waterfalls, Arches and Wildlife: Hiking Yahoo Falls (Jul 25, 2023)
- Kentucky Tourism: Kentucky's Best Hikes that Lead to Water
- Wikipedia: Yahoo Falls
- Wikipedia: Cumberland Falls
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.