A 3-mile moderate hike to a waterfall (paired with Princess Falls on same trail); best April through September.
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Best used April through September; reached on the same trail as Princess Falls, following Lick Creek parallel to the Cumberland River, per official state tourism page
Lick Creek Falls is located in Daniel Boone National Forest’s Stearns Ranger District area, near Whitley City in McCreary County and close to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The waterfall is reached on a 3-mile moderate-difficulty trail that also leads to Princess Falls—both waterfalls are on the same route.
The trail follows Lick Creek parallel to the Cumberland River, offering scenic creek and river views along with waterfall destinations. The trail is best used April through September; winter months and other seasons may have challenging conditions or reduced water flow.
No fee is mentioned for trail access. Because both Lick Creek Falls and Princess Falls are on the same trail, many visitors visit both in a single outing. Plan your visit for the late spring through early fall window for the best experience and most reliable water flow.
Best used April through September; trail follows Lick Creek parallel to Cumberland River.
You're visiting in winter or prefer reliable year-round water flow.
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
Via a 3-mile round-trip trail rated moderate by the managing agency.
We track 8 waterfalls in Cumberland Falls Country.
There are 3 other waterfalls we track in McCreary. All Cumberland Falls Country waterfalls →
kentuckytourism.com
Same official source and trail as Princess Falls — Kentucky Tourism's official page states the trail 'leads to both Princess Falls and Lick Creek Falls.' Listed separately since it is separately named. Height and exact agency not confirmed; managing_agency inferred from location.
Checked September 2026.