Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center is located on U.S. Highway 25E just south of Middlesboro, Kentucky. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thanks to the vision of Congress, who in 1940 authorized Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, visitors today can still bask in its beauty and immerse themselves in its rich history. Had a day free with my 8 yo while my older daughter toured Lincoln Memorial University. Last-minute getaway? One of the best kept secrets if you're never heard of the Cumberland Gap. Entrance Fee: $0.00, There is no fee to visit this great park. The park is composed of three separate sites, in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, that each played a significant role in The Manhattan Project. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is an important spot in terms of early westward expansion and a great place for a weekend getaway. In the park, you can hike more than 85 miles of trails, and explore groves of hemlock, fields of wildflowers, and meadows of rhododendron and fiddle ferns. All were clean, but the Pinnacle had only natural lighting, no electricity. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Kentucky , National Parks , Tennessee , Travel Adventures , Virginia - Trail (Anne) - October 16, 2018 Near the junction Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee and within the Appalachian Mountains, lies an area well-traveled by Native Americans centuries before European settlers arrived in the 1600s. The park consists of approximately 24,000 acres, 85 miles of trails, camping, and lots to do and see! Today, Cumberland Gap continues to attract adventurous people. Also enjoyed the waterfall by the old iron furnace. Cumberland Gap NHP offers great views from the pinnacle overlook. Joined May 3, 2013 Messages 527. Hotel Accommodations In the true Southern style, we’re family owned, family friendly, and just plain friendly— we even love your dog. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. We hit up Cumberland Gap NHP on the way home from visiting the Great Smoky Mountains NP. When Cumberland Gap National Historical Park was founded in 1940, it was the largest national historical park in the country. One of the ladies helped us look at the trail map and gave a lot of insightful and useful info about the hikes. A steep, twisty, but well-maintained paved road climbs 4 miles from the park’s visitor center up to the 2,400-foot vantage point, which overlooks the Gap with a view encompassing 6 states. Camping near Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. No cost. It’s just simply a beautiful area. It is over 20,000 acres, 14,000 of which remain wilderness. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. coming from NYS..thanks. Regional flora and fauna include nearly 60 rare plant species, an abundance of kudzu, wild turkey, and black bear, among an assortment of others. The park offers visitors 70 miles of trails to explore and camp, as well as tours of the historic Hensley settlement. Cumberland Gap National Park Campground. We went twice because it was so foggy the first time that we couldn't see a thing. This national park covers over 20,000 acres in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Here is the main Cumberland Gap map from the park brochure, showing the entire extent of the park. The visitor center is adequate with dioramas detailing western expansion; small gift shop; 20 minute film on the park. I would not recommend it. Are the 5 cancellation stamps all located at the Visitor Center? quiet and all the colors out during the week, walked a short trail, great to just be part of the countryside, A+. How long should a family expect to spend at the park? Definitely go to the visitors center, they were very helpful. Yes, Passport Stamps are located at the Visitor's Center. Campground is actually in Virginia and was clean and well maintained. It's not as big as the GSMNP nor does it get anywhere as crowded. The Junior Ranger booklet was easy and a bit disappointing - just word searches, coloring, etc. Well, ain’t that a mouthful? The park is home to a diverse assortment of animal life; the current recorded number of animal species is 371, and many more could be added with additional study. He cannot walk very far. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) May 5, 2021 May 4, 2021 / Chasing Dirt. Click the image to view a full size JPG (1.7 mb) or download the PDF (2.9 mb) . Fewer people than the Smokies and virtually no Covid restrictions. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park. The Cumberland Gap is one of many passes in the Appalachian Mountains but the only one in the continuous Cumberland Mountain ridgeline. Through Cumberland Gap, a natural passage through the forbidding Allegheny Mountains passed the Wilderness Road. Early native Americans traveled through it along a game trail, before English-speaking settlers, including Daniel Boone, came through in the 1700s to carve out what became known as Wilderness Road. This park sits at a natural opening in the Cumberland Mountains that served as one of the earliest gateways to the West for thousands of settlers traveling across the frontier. The park can also be accessed from Virginia by traveling west on Highway 58 to its intersection with 25E in Tennessee. Apr 16, 2021 #1 The first major gateway to the west, CGNHP is located on the Kentucky/Virginia border with Tennessee just to the south. Most of the trails are marked really well. 91 Bartlett Park Rd, Middlesboro, KY 40965-5011, $$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Vegetarian Friendly. And furthermore, it is safe to go there by myself? Staff was very friendly and helpful. Where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia converge, a path to new worlds appears. We stayed in Cumberland Gap, TN, at the Olde' Mill B&B. Facebook/Cumberland Gap National Historical Park In a state that's mostly known for gently rolling horse farms, many are surprised to learn that natural features like this actually exist. The scenic overlook is spectacular. Once exception was the Thomas Walker Trail coming from the Fitness Loop. Situated in Harrogate, this cabin is within 12 mi (20 km) of Middlesboro Mall, Bell County Historical Society Museum, and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The marker is at the top of a hill at the end of a trail-there’s a gazebo and a small plaque for each state along with a marker on the ground. Also, if you leave the overlook, go through the tunnel, and get on the highway into Virginia, the views of the Gap cliffs are nice. The Cumberland Gap National Historic Park extends for 20 miles and ranges between one and four miles in width. Up the road is a wonderful campground that also belongs to the park service, and it's reasonably priced. Winters are generally mild with rain and some periods of snow January through March, with temperatures typically in the 30s and 40s. more, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro: Tickets, Tours, Address, Phone Number, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Reviews: 4.5/5. Is the KY/TN/VA marker easily accessible? You would have to swing wide on every hairpin turn. Rt. According to many accounts, between 200,000 and 300,000 settlers came through the Gap into Kentucky and beyond from 1775 to 1810. There are other places to visit, but the best part of the Gap NHP is the pinnacle overlook view, Hotels near Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Hotels near Bell County Historical Society, Hotels near Shillalah Creek Wildlife Management Area, Hotels near Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Things to do near Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Game & Entertainment Centers in Middlesboro, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Middlesboro. Review of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The Cumberland Gap National Park is a hidden gem. We will probably return in the summer to do more trails and the cave tours which are supposed to be returning soon. As we were leaving we drove to The Pinnacles, a fantastic overlook. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, the first gateway to the West, is a place for modern day pioneers and adventure seekers to follow in the footsteps of the country's earliest settlers. The Park is located within the beautiful tri-state region of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Cumberland Gap’s National Historical Park is loaded with American Indian, early pioneer, and Civil War history. Covering almost 32 square miles in the three states – Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia – the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park commemorates a vital early phase in the westward movement and the indomitable courage of the first overland emigrants. We almost missed it. You can go to the overlook up on the mountain, they have a nice vistitors center. Nestled at the corner of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky is a small gap in the wall that is the Cumberland Mountains. T wife and I made it a stop on our road trip, and I'm glad we did. At Cumberland Gap, the Appalachian Mountains give way to 24,000 acres of wilderness, a land of verdant vegetation and diverse animal life. No there is not any horseback riding unfortunately, Is this worth a chunk of a drive out of our way to Nashville, to see? Daniel Boone even passed through the gap in the mid 1700’s while leading a team of frontiersman to Kentucky. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It's not as big as the GSMNP nor does it get anywhere as crowded. One of the many historic national park sites honoring the life of the 17th President, this park preserves his two homes, tailor shop, and grave site. The visitor's center has one and then you can find one at the Pinnacle parking lot and the Daniel Boone Parking Lot. Cumberland Gap National Park is essentially a living history museum with its predominant feature, the natural gap through the mountains providing the impetus for settlement of the immediate region, exploits by pioneers such as Daniel Boone, and the subsequent … Maybe wait until your travels bring you closer. There were tons of trails, that were very good even for beginners. Reviewed November 6, 2020. The park features 85 miles of hiking trails, Gap Cave and Skylight Cave, and the Hensley Settlement. Gap Caverns in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See glistening stalagmites and flowstone cascades, as well as marks made by Civil War soldiers on this 1.5 mile tour spanning four levels of the cave. Wilderness Road State Park and Historic Martin's Station. But, in fact, our state should be known for its caves, mountains, and gorges just as much as its bluegrass. Summers in the park are hot and humid, with temperatures commonly in the mid to upper 90s—but remember, if you’re hiking in the backcountry, the temperatures at higher elevations are five to ten degrees cooler. The story of the first doorway to the west is commemorated at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. At Cumberland Gap, the first great gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer... all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. We found lots of easy walking and short hikes. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the Cumberland River, providing visitors hiking, camping, and kayaking. The park was very enjoyable. It's a short, twisty road to the top and a short easy hike to the overlook, but don't miss it. 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005Phone: (202) 796-2500  |  Toll-Free: (888) GOPARKS  |  Fax: (202) 796-2509  |  [email protected]The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. There is a trail you can pick up at the visitor's center that you can just loop around or you can connect into other trails. It is beautiful there. I vaguely recalled learning about the Cumberland Gap in my early school years, but I had no idea there was a national park there. Sand cave is a must for anybody who is willing to hike 8 miles round trip. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located at the junction of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia and is located in all three states. Throughout the ages, poets, songwriters, novelists, journal writers, historians and artists have captured the grandeur of the Cumberland Gap. We didn't get to all the trails so we will definitely be back. Contains the original trail marked out by Daniel Boone in 1775. The Pinnacle is a must see view. One of the best kept secrets if you're never heard of the Cumberland Gap. Public Transportation - There is no public transportation in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Join our community. We loved this park fro the visitor center displays, recommendations from the staff, hiking to the overlook of three states. The Cumberland Gap National Park is a hidden gem. Connect with the parks you love. It has 160 sites in a beautiful wooded setting. Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a non-profit organization supporting the efforts of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It lies within Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and is located on the border of present-day Kentucky and Virginia, approximately 0.25 miles (0.40 km) northeast of the tri-state marker with Tennessee. Your first stop should be the visitors center. And every autumn, the annual hawk migration wows visitors as the skies fill up with spectacular birds of prey. Call ahead and secure your spot to join park rangers on a two-hour exploration of Gap Cave, a majestic underground cathedral where nature’s story is etched in rock and sand. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Pinnacle overlook is a must, as is visiting the Civil War earthworks and old furnace. Probably an hour from Knoxville. Middlesboro ARH Hospital is … By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. The rangers there can give you tips on finding the different trailheads and which trail is the best for your group. Depending on where you go in the park, you might see cottontail rabbits, gray squirrels, opossums, striped skunks, bobcats, white-tailed deer, raccoons, black bears, and possibly even an elk. Cumberland Gap National Park Campground. The park is perfect for watching wildlife, sightseeing, backpacking,hiking, camping, and picnicking. I actually enjoyed Cumberland Gap more and wish we had had more time there. Excellent place, two blocks from the trailhead we wanted. They have a nice picnic area there as well. Thread starter BJett; Start date Apr 16, 2021; BJett Member. I gained a whole new insight into the early explorers' finding routes west. nationalparks.org. The trails are in great shape and mostly pretty easy. T he Wilderness Road campground is located approximately 3 miles from the park visitor center off of Highway 58 in Virginia. If I recall correctly, the path to the overlook is paved in asphalt. Is the road suitable to drive up a 30 foot motorhome? 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