Visit Corbin, KY

Have you ever seen the Moonbow? What is a Moonbow, you ask? A moonbow, otherwise known as a lunar rainbow is an optical phenomenon caused when the light from the full moon is refracted through water droplets in the air. Corbin, KY is home to the only Moonbow in the Western Hemisphere. Cumberland Falls, known as the Niagara of the South, is 68 feet high and 125 feet. Cumberland Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, and the largest waterfall as measured by water volume in the Eastern United States, south of Niagara Falls. It is fed by the Cumberland River and divides the river into the upper and lower ends.

Located inside of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the park offers a wide variety of other recreational opportunities for visitors. With over 17 miles of hiking trails inside the park, picnicking, horseback riding, swimming and a variety of programs, Cumberland Falls is a nature lovers paradise. There is also camping, a lodge and cottages available if you wish to stay within the park. Admission to all Kentucky State Parks is free of charge. For more information and to make a reservation, visit parks.ky.gov/corbin/parks/resort/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park.

Located five miles outside the park is Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. From whitewater rafting to leisurely canoeing or kayaking, from primitive campsites to their resort cabin, wooded trails to waterfalls, Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort in scenic Kentucky is the perfect place to base your outdoor adventure vacation or get-away! Nestled in the Daniel Boone National Forest, if you are looking for a unique lodging experience, try one of their covered wagons, which offers the ultimate “glamping” opportunity! They also have couples cabins that are fully furnished, as well as more primitive options if you prefer to “rough” it. For those pulling large RV’s, the pull through sites at Sheltowee Trace make it super easy to get in and out.

Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort offers fun for the entire family! Love the water? Experience white water rafting on the Bog South Fork or Cumberland River. Kayak, canoe or take a trip right up to the base of the Falls on the Rainbow Mist Ride or, if you prefer a more challenging trip, on a stand up paddle board. Travelling with a group or family? Jump aboard the Cumberland Star River Boat and have lunch while you relax and enjoy an interpretive experience of the Cumberland River. Whether you enjoy zip lining, waterfall and arch hunting, tubing or hiking, Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort has got your covered. For more information and to make reservations, visit ky-rafting.com.

After a trip to the mighty Cumberland Falls, head over to the beautiful Laurel River Lake. Located amid the pristine beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel River Lake is a favorite destination for thousands of visitors each year. The quiet coves and cliff-lined shores offer relaxation and quiet reflection, as well as boating, fishing, skiing and scuba diving in one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky. Fishing for black bass, rainbow trout, walleye, crappie, blue gill and catfish is excellent. Night fishing for trout is also popular during the summer months.

Grove Marina, located on the Corbin side of the Laurel Lake, is a full service marina that offers a store and deli. No boat? No problem! The marina offers both pontoon boat rentals as well as houseboat rentals. Boating opportunities are provided by seven launch ramps located conveniently around the lake. The quiet bays and backwaters of the lake are excellent locations for wildlife viewing. The 5,600 acre lake was impounded by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1979.

Located just two miles from Interstate 75, you will find the quant and close nit community of Corbin. Downtown Corbin is a live, vibrant and fun district full of dining, shopping, attractions and entertainment! It is the ultimate "foodie" destination with over 11 locally owned and operated restaurants offering a variety of foods that will satisfy any palate. It is also home to some unique entertainment options. The Pinball Museum of Corbin features over 56 pinball machines and classic arcade games. Tomahawks boasts regulation corn hole laners, axe throwing with WATL national standard pits and a full! It’s perfect for a Friday night game of pool or a simulated golf game.

In Corbin, KY you will find a number of delightful boutiques and antique shops ready to welcome you to the city. Looking for some family fun? Try Campbell’s Ceramics on Main Street where you can pick and paint your own pottery, or venture to the Great Escape and see if you can solve the mystery and break free. Thunder Mountain Speedway, open from April through October, is a 1/3-mile dirt oval and offers all of the excitement of watching crate late models, open wheels (aka modifieds), front-wheel-drives, and hobby stocks battle it out for the win! City owned and operated, the Corbin Arena is a 7,000 seat entertainment facility that see’s guests from all over the world! Home to sporting events, concerts, comedy shows and a variety of other events, there is always entertainment available in Corbin!

“IT ALL STARTED IN CORBIN”, Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken®. Carefully restored and placed on the National Register of Historical Places, you will see it as it appeared in the 1940’s. Experience eating delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken® in the Colonel’s dining room and take in his innovative open-kitchen and model motel room. Also view the exhibits featuring the Colonel’s artifacts and memorabilia from the early days of KFC®. The museum is open daily from 10am to 11pm and admission is free!

After a visit to Sanders Café and Museum, head downtown for a visit to Sanders Park! The park features a life size bronze statue of the Colonel that was sculpted and installed by Louisville artist Raymond Graff. You will also find a total of eight interpretive panels, each telling a snippet of history regarding the Colonel’s life and his quest for the American dream. There is a “Secret Recipe Garden” where you can try to identify which herbs were contained in the secret recipe. This is a super fun place to snap a selfie and tag #corbinlovescompany!

Corbin, KY is home to history, hospitality and adventure! It is the perfect get away for families, natural thrill seekers, group trips, and anyone looking to escape the mundane! For more information about our attractions, lodging, dining and a complete calendar of events, visit us at corbinkytourism.com or follow us on Facebook @corbinkytourism. We cannot WAIT to see you…..because Corbin LOVES Company!