Kentucky Cumberland Gap Historical Park map and highlights

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Junction of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, near Middlesboro, KY.     

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park detailed guide.     

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park     

Junction of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, near Middlesboro, KY     

This natural passageway across the Appalachian Mountains opened  the west to 18th-century travelers and explorers. Native Americans  first discovered the gap by following buffalo herds as they headed into  the verdant hills of what is now Kentucky. Around 300,000 settlers later  passed through here from 1775 through 1810, expanding American  settlements and opening new routes across the continent. Today you'll  find wayside exhibits, a museum, and the abandoned old cabins of the  former Hensley settlement, all with signage noting the area s historic  significance. The park was authorized in 1940.     

WHAT TO SEE & DO     

Auto touring, hiking, picnicking. Facilities: Visitor center,  museum, hiking trails. Book-and-gift store, covered picnic tables with  fire grills, picnic tables (reservations and fee, see below). Programs  & Events: Ranger-led walking tours (May-Aug.; reservations  required), Gap (Cudjo's) Cave tours (Jan.-Mar., weekends 10 and 2;  Apr-May and Sept.-Dec. daily at 10, weekends at 2; Memorial Day-Aug.,  daily 9, 11:30, 3; reservations required). Tips & Hints: Go Apr-May  for wild-flowers, in Sept. for great hiking, and in mid-Oct. for peak  foliage. Busiest July-Oct., least crowded Jan. and Feb. Come prepared  for variable weather all year. Pinnacle Overlook may close in winter due  to bad weather.     

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES     

Camping: In the park: Wilderness Road Campground (160 sites;  $10-$ 15; flush toilets, showers, hook-ups). Backcountry camping (permit  required, see below). E3 Hotels: None in park. In Middlesboro: Best  Western Inn (1623 E. Cumberland Ave., tel. 606/248-5630; 100 rooms;  $48-$63), Holiday Inn Express (1252 N. 12th St./U.S. 25 E, tel.  606/248-6860 or 800/465-4329; 60 rooms; $79). X Restaurants: None in  park. In Middlesboro: J. Milton's Steak House (910 N. 12th St./U.S. 25  E, tel. 606/248-0458; $7-$15). In Pineville: Pine Mountain State Park  Resort Dining Room (1050 State Park Rd., tel. 606/337-3066; $7-$14).  & Groceries & Gear: None in park. In Cumberland Gap: Zoe's (719  Pennylane Ave., tel. 423/869-0705). In Gibson Station, VA: Montgomery's  Grocery (Noetown Rd., tel. 606/248-2772).     

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS     

Free. Pinnacle Overlook shuttle: $3. Hensley Settlement tour:  $12 adults, $6 ages 12 and under. Gap (Cudjo's) Cave tour: $7 adults,  $3.50 ages 12 and under and Golden Age Passport holders. Picnic  pavilions $20 per day, reservations required. Backcountry permits  required (free). No vehicles over 20 feet on Pinnacle Rd. No unleashed  pets, skateboards, or in-line skates. Bikes on paved roads and  designated trails only. Do not feed animals. Park open daily dawn-dusk.  Visitor center open Memorial Day-Oct., daily 8-6; Nov.-Memorial Day,  daily 8-5.     

HOW TO GET THERE     

Via U.S. 25 east in Tennessee and Kentucky, and via U.S. 58 in  Virginia. Closest airports: Middlesboro (3 mi), Knoxville (90 mi).     

CONTACTS     

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (Box 1848, Middlesboro,  KY 40965, tel. 606/248-2817; 606/246-1075 activity reservations, fax  606/ 248-2818, ). Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (3222  U.S. 25, Tazewell, TN 37879, tel. 423/626-4149 or 800/332-8164, fax  423/626-1611, ). Bell County Tourism Commission (2215 Cumberland Ave.,  Middlesboro, KY 40965, tel. 606/248-2482 or 800/988-1075, fax  606/248-0011, ). Town of Cumberland Gap (330 Colwin, Box 78, Cumberland  Gap, TN 37724, tel. 423/869-3860, fax 423/869-8534).   

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Junction of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, near Middlesboro, KY.   

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park detailed guide