Story & Photos by Matt Bayman
Some of the most beautiful places in the United States aren't national parks at all—they're state parks whose names are far less familiar, but whose scenery and attractions are every bit as remarkable.
This article will highlight three such parks, each located within driving distance of the Miami Valley in three different states—Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Each of them is beautiful to visit any time of year, including in the fall and winter.
Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee
Tennessee's largest and most visited state park is built around one spectacular attraction: water. Home to seven major waterfalls, Fall Creek Falls State Park showcases some of the most impressive scenery in the Southeast, with cascading streams, towering cliffs, deep gorges and miles of forested hiking trails.
The park's centerpiece is Fall Creek Falls, a 256-foot plunge that ranks as the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River. An overlook provides an unforgettable panoramic view, but those willing to tackle the steep trail to the bottom are rewarded with an entirely different perspective, as well as a chance to cool off in the waterfall.
Just a short drive away, Cane Creek Falls tumbles 85 feet into picturesque Cane Creek Gorge. A short distance upstream, Cane Creek Cascades spreads across a wide rock shelf before rushing downstream, creating another favorite photo stop.
Nearby Rockhouse Falls offers yet another impressive sight. With a 125-foot drop, it resembles a smaller version of Fall Creek Falls but requires a much shorter hike to reach. The waterfall sits beside the park's Nature Center, where exhibits highlight the area's wildlife, geology and recreational opportunities. A popular natural swimming area is also located nearby.
For those seeking quieter trails, the hike to Piney Creek Falls leads through dense forest to one of the park's lesser-visited waterfalls. Along with more than 50 miles of hiking trails, it offers visitors a chance to escape the busiest sections of the park while enjoying the rugged beauty of the Cumberland Plateau.
Beyond its waterfalls, the park offers plenty of ways to spend an entire weekend or longer. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards on Cane Creek Lake, cast a fishing line from shore, cool off in the Olympic-sized swimming pool with waterslides during the summer months, or spend the night in a lakeside lodge, cabin, or campground.
While the waterfalls flow year-round, they're at their most dramatic after periods of heavy rain or during wetter seasons. Winter offers an entirely different experience, as freezing temperatures can transform portions of the waterfalls into spectacular walls of ice.
From the Miami Valley, Fall Creek Falls is approximately 360 miles, or about 6½ hours. The quickest route is actually a scenic route (mostly on Hwy 90 from I-75 in Mt. Vernon, KY) that takes drivers through the heart of the Cumberland Plateau, mostly through a long valley that offers beautiful scenery (and small towns as rest stops) along the way.
Babcock State Park, West Virginia
Situated in the heart of West Virginia's whitewater rafting country, Babcock State Park is a secluded, low-frills Appalachian getaway that's an ideal base camp for exploring New River Gorge National Park and the region's many outdoor attractions.
The 4,100-acre park in Fayette County sits just minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge. Its signature attraction is the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional water-powered mill built in 1976 to replicate historic Appalachian mills. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in the state, especially in autumn when the surrounding forest erupts in shades of red and gold. A small waterfall below the mill is a popular swimming spot, while the park's public swimming pool offers another place to cool off during the summer.
Behind the mill, the Island in the Sky Trail climbs steeply to impressive canyon overlooks. Easier and moderate trails wind through the heavily wooded landscape, providing nearly 20 miles of hiking.
Other activities include trout fishing, renting paddleboats, canoes and rowboats on scenic Boley Lake, and enjoying the area's exceptionally dark night skies.
Located about 4½ hours (270 miles) from the Miami Valley, Babcock State Park is centrally located to many of southern West Virginia's top attractions, including whitewater rafting outfitters, Hawks Nest State Park, Cathedral Falls, Gauley River National Recreation Area and Summersville Lake State Park, to name just a few.
Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky
Known as the "Niagara of the South," Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the eastern United States. Located near Corbin in southeastern Kentucky, the park centers around Cumberland Falls, where the Cumberland River plunges 68 feet over a sandstone ledge roughly 125 feet wide into a breathtaking gorge. The sheer volume of water creates a thunderous roar and a constant veil of mist that can be enjoyed from several scenic overlooks or trails leading closer to the river.
On sunny days, that mist often produces brilliant rainbows arching across the base of the falls, adding another layer of beauty to an already impressive scene. But what makes Cumberland Falls truly extraordinary is its famous moonbow—a rare lunar rainbow created when bright moonlight passes through the waterfall's mist. Visible only on clear nights near the full moon, the moonbow often appears as a ghostly white arc to the naked eye, while cameras with longer exposures reveal its vibrant spectrum of colors. Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon can be seen on a predictable basis, making it a destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. You just have to time your visit with the phases of the moon.
Beyond the main waterfall, the park offers more than 17 miles of hiking trails, including the popular route to nearby Eagle Falls, along with opportunities for rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, camping and cabin stays. Many visitors choose to spend the night at historic DuPont Lodge, a rustic stone-and-timber retreat overlooking the Cumberland River. Built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lodge "combines classic national park architecture with modern comforts" and provides easy access to both the falls and the trail system. Staying overnight also makes it much easier to experience the moonbow without a late-night drive home.
Beyond the park, the surrounding region offers attractions including the Natural Arch Scenic Area, Daniel Boone National Forest and the Cumberland Star Riverboat, along with dozens of campgrounds, RV parks and cabins tucked among secluded forests and rolling hills.
Cumberland Falls is about 250 miles, or four hours, from the Miami Valley, mostly via I-75. In fact, the park is just 15 miles off the interstate, making it an easy stop or overnight break on the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located another 100 miles to the south.
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