Kentucky's Hidden City Is A Nature Lover's Dream Offering Lakeside Resorts And Cascading Falls

Kentucky is known for its bluegrass music, delicious bourbon, horse raising, and more, but not a lot of people know that this wild state is also home to some special hidden cities with top-notch aquatic and wilderness encounters. In the quiet, historic city of Monticello,  travelers can spend their days boating on crystal-clear waters and hiking to hidden waterfalls.

The Kentucky city was founded as the seat of Wayne County and named after Thomas Jefferson's famed Virginia estate. In Monticello, one can find plenty of ways to reconnect with nature as it rests at the meeting point of Lake Cumberland and the Daniel Boone National Forest. Many have also called this little town the "Houseboat Capital of the World," due to its thriving marina culture and the lake's 65,000 acres of recreation.

To get to Monticello, travelers should highly consider coming from Nashville. That's because the drive only takes a little over two and a half hours compared to the journey from other major cities. Those flying in can land at Nashville International Airport, highly regarded as one of the best airports in the country for live music. For those who decide to come from the biggest city in the Bluegrass State, Louisville, they'll find that the drive takes slightly longer and is less direct. Either way, the reward is the same: A city where lakeside resorts meet cascading falls.

Resort life in Monticello revolves around Lake Cumberland, one of the largest lakes in the Eastern United States. While many consider the scenic and vibrant arts-filled city of Somerset as the "jumping-off point" for the lake, it's worth starting your adventure at Monticello due to the variety of resorts you will have to choose from.

Conley Bottom Resort is the most recognized name in the area and for good reason. This family-friendly marina is designed for both seasoned boaters and first-timers. Here, visitors can find a full fleet of houseboats, pontoons, and ski boats available for rent. Guests staying in the resort's lakeside units enjoy direct access to the water. Modern comforts such as air conditioning, cable television, and kitchenettes stocked with essentials are also available. Each unit includes a covered boat slip within walking distance, allowing visitors to explore the lake at their own pace.

For travelers seeking a quieter setting, Golden Pond Resort offers an intimate alternative. Surrounded by trees and open skies, this resort has cabin-style lodgings. These range from cozy two-bedroom cottages to large multi-family homes, complete with full kitchens and outdoor gathering spaces. Guests can swim, play, or simply relax on the banks with a good book. There's also a pool, a playground, and even a fire pit for evening get-togethers. Between these two resorts, Monticello delivers accommodations that make anglers and families feel right at home on the water.

Kentucky has many awe-inspiring waterfalls. Take, for example, the enchanting Cumberland Falls found in a glorious trail full of woodlands and scenic falls. In Monticello, nature enthusiasts will find no shortage of waterfalls to visit. The easiest to reach, Town Creek Falls, begins near a cute downtown shop called Kennett's Antiques and follows a short, gently sloped trail leading to clear pools and layered rock formations. 

The round-trip journey is only about a mile long, making it ideal for families and casual hikers. In wetter months, the flow intensifies into a series of photogenic cascades, while drier seasons reveal delicate trickles through moss-covered stones. A short drive north brings visitors to Mill Springs Falls, one of Kentucky's most picturesque natural water features. 

Fed by 13 natural springs, the waterfall plunges 30 feet into Lake Cumberland, nestled beside the historic Mill Springs Mill. It's worth noting that the mill's water wheel is still operational even after nearly 150 years. Visitors can reach the falls via a well-marked parking area, and guided tours operate seasonally. Further west in Clinton County, Seventy-Six Falls stands out for its sheer scale, reaching up to 84 feet high. The cascade spills directly into Lake Cumberland and can be viewed either from a lakeside boat or from the highway overlook on Kentucky 3062.