See the world famous Moonbow at Cumberland Falls in KY

We've all been lucky enough to see a rainbow at some point in our lives. But have you ever seen a lunar rainbow? I have to be honest: I never have!

And I don't really have a good excuse either, because we actually have the only lunar rainbow in the Western Hemisphere here in Kentucky at Cumberland State Park. The only other one that occurs regularly is in Zimbabwe, at Victoria Falls in Africa.

Cumberland Falls is 125 feet wide, has a 68-foot drop, and is absolutely stunning any time of year. It has been called the “Niagara of the South,” if that means anything to you. When there is a full moon, it puts on a real spectacle with its special lunar rainbow. Lunar rainbows, like rainbows, form when tiny droplets of water reflect the light of the moon. The lower the moon is in the sky, the more powerful the phenomenon is. Here is a beautiful video about the lunar rainbow and the history of the falls.

However, it is only visible during a full moon, so if you want to experience this natural phenomenon, you will need to plan ahead.

Here are the remaining full moons in 2024:

The Sturgeon Moon in August begins this weekend

The Harvest Moon in September begins on September 17

The Hunter's Moon in October begins on October 17

The Beaver Moon in November begins on November 15th

The Cold Moon in December begins on December 15th

The Cumberland Falls lunar rainbow is best seen at night. From about 9:30/10:00 p.m. to about 1:00 a.m. Weather permitting, of course. The August full moon begins this weekend, so if you're up for a quick adventure, head to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

Sources: Explorekyhistory.com, Space.com