Flat Lick Falls

Worth a detour

Is it plungeworthy?

40feet tall

A plunge on Flat Lick Creek.

Scale39/60

Documentation15/20

Character14/20

The details

Type: Plunge
Watercourse: Flat Lick Creek
Coordinates: 37.37081, -83.9404

Get directions →

About Flat Lick Falls

Flat Lick Falls is a 40-foot plunge in Kentucky, on Flat Lick Creek.

It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.

Plungeworthy rates Flat Lick Falls 6.8/10 — worth a detour. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.

What you'll find

A 33-foot horseshoe falls with Jackson County's favorite swimming hole underneath — and a paved, wheelchair-friendly path to the overlook, campsites on the rim, and a picnic shelter for the family reunion.

Getting there

Trailhead: Flat Lick Falls Scenic Area, near McKee
Parking: Lot by the picnic shelter
Road: Paved
Hike: 0.6 mi round trip (easy — paved to the overlook)
Heads up: A short spur drops to the base pool; county-run and proud of it.

When to go

After rain for the horseshoe at full width; summer mornings own the swimming hole.

Rules & fees

Fee / pass: None
Dogs: Leashed
Camping: On site — tent pads and RV hookups, first-come
Warnings: No jumping from the falls — the county says it plainly: it can kill you. Swim in the pool, not the plunge.

Researched from Visit Jackson County KY — natural attractions · KY Waterfalls — Flat Lick Falls. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Flat Lick Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.

Where it is

Planning a visit? We want your photo.

Flat Lick Falls doesn't have a photo yet. If you make the trip, send one to hello@plungeworthy.com and we'll publish it here with credit to you.

Before you go

The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.