The Big Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The Big Falls is on Fort Knox military land. Training areas are closed to the public unless the installation authorizes access, and no public trail to the falls is known.
Photo Credits (5)
About The Big Falls
The Big Falls is a named waterfall in Meade County, Kentucky, on the Fort Knox military reservation. Fort Knox land is used for Army training, and areas outside designated recreation and hunting zones are off limits because of firing ranges and unexploded ordnance. We found no public trail to this waterfall. Tioga Falls, also on Fort Knox land near West Point, is the nearby waterfall with an open public trail.
The Setting
The Big Falls sits at 499 feet within Fort Knox, in the coastal lowlands of Kentucky.
Trail & Hike Details
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at The Big Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at The Big Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is likely to have a stronger flow due to seasonal rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Visitors should exercise caution on the trail, especially near the waterfall, as rocks can be slippery. Be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry a map or GPS device. Cell service may be limited in the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pond Creek, 13.6 miles away, not on The Big Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
15 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
4.15 ft
Water depth at gauge
51°F
ColdBracing — limit time in water
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is a bracing 51 degrees F, limit your time in the water. Expect excellent dissolved oxygen levels. PH is normal at 8.2 and mineral content is moderate.
Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen
ExcellentSupports aquatic life
pH
NormalWithin healthy range (6.5-8.5)
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge POND CREEK AT PENDLETON ROAD NEAR LOUISVILLE, KY (22 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
15 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
17 cfs
4/10Thu
Barely Flowing
23 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
22 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
18 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
25 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
24 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late March, peaking in May.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Fort Knox hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is The Big Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
The Big Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 68°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 15 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Kentucky.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The bare-earth surface loses about 43 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 499 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 45 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 104 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 499 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 43 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are inside the Fort Knox military reservation in Meade County. There is no documented public route. Visitors without a military ID must register at the Chaffee Gate visitor center before entering the installation.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
499 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.899766° N, -86.025068° W
Land Management
Managed by DOD Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Do not enter Fort Knox training areas without authorization. For a public waterfall hike nearby, visit Tioga Falls near West Point.
Where to Stay
Golden Manor Inn & Suites
Greenfield Inn & Suites Elizabethtown, KY I65 Exit 94
Quality Inn & Suites Brandenburg - Fort Knox
Country Inn & Suites Etown
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Tioga Falls, on a public trail near West Point, is the closest waterfall open to hikers.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious and respectful of the natural habitat.
Cities near The Big Falls
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