Yahoo Falls
- Height
- 113 ft
- Hike
- 1 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Yahoo Falls drops about 113 ft on Yahoo Creek in McCreary County, Kentucky. Reaching it is a 1 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
One-mile loop includes very steep metal steps; water volume drops significantly in drier weather (NPS). As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 113 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 113-foot Yahoo Falls; the loop trail passes behind the falls under a large rock shelter (NPS Kentucky trails listing). |
Access
| Hike | 1 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Yahoo Falls picnic area and trailhead via KY 700 west of Whitley City; Yahoo Falls Road leads to the parking area (NPS). |
| Parking | Yahoo Falls picnic area and trailhead parking (NPS). |
| Fee | No trail fee published for the Yahoo Falls Loop in Big South Fork NRRA. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area) |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Picnic facilities and scenic overlooks at the Yahoo Falls area (NPS). |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Yahoo Falls open?
One-mile loop includes very steep metal steps; water volume drops significantly in drier weather (NPS). As of September 30, 2026.
How tall is Yahoo Falls?
Yahoo Falls drops about 113 ft.
How long is the hike to Yahoo Falls?
It's a 1 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Yahoo Falls picnic area and trailhead via KY 700 west of Whitley City; Yahoo Falls Road leads to the parking area (NPS). Parking: Yahoo Falls picnic area and trailhead parking (NPS).
Do you need a reservation for Yahoo Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Yahoo Falls?
The fee is No trail fee published for the Yahoo Falls Loop in Big South Fork NRRA.
When is Yahoo Falls flowing?
113-foot Yahoo Falls; the loop trail passes behind the falls under a large rock shelter (NPS Kentucky trails listing).
What facilities are at Yahoo Falls?
Picnic sites. Picnic facilities and scenic overlooks at the Yahoo Falls area (NPS).
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Yahoo Falls is inside Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area .
Just outside: Daniel Boone National Forest (0.3 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/kytrails.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / access.hikeDistanceMi / waterfall.flowNote, access.fee / access.permitRequired / hazardNote, waterbodyName, waterfall.ephemeral)
- https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/news/yahoo-falls-road-improvement-project-to-start-june-20.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / access.parking / access.amenities / access.roadNote)
- https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/pets.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.roadSurface / rules.dogs)
More: Kentucky waterfalls