Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965, USA

Address:	91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965, USA
Phone:	+1 606-248-2817
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.8
Working:	12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM 12AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 16

Carlo Wahlstedt

The prettiest park you can visit and be in 3 states at once! There are numerous trails that you can hike in this park and many places that you can stop along the drive through the park. The visitor center is a must stop. The rangers are nice. Theres a little museum with history of the area and a gift shop. One of my personal favorite stops is Sugar Run. Just a short drive once you enter the park, it has plenty of parking, a bathroom, and a shelter with grills. The shelter sits next to a creek that is also easily accessible. The creek isnt deep but is a wonderful place that kids can explore all the wonders of nature. There is a short paved trail that circles the creek with bridges on either side. Off of that starts the real hiking. Like most parks, there are several trails that you can follow that vary in distance. However, this is one of the prettiest hikes Ive been on that is just enclose to forest. Other locations you can stop include a short hike to a covered area where you can literally stand in three states at once. It also overlooks Middlesboro, Ky and is a beautiful view. If you want less of a hike, then you can go to the pinnacle, where it overlooks Tennessee and Virginia at the same time. Its a nice paved trail with plenty of rails and an enclosed overlook that makes it very safe for kids. There is good access to bathrooms as well. Im sure theres much more to explore, but we havent been able to explore it all, so that means youll have plenty of adventures to choose from!

Rae Henderson

Loads of trees and hiking trails from short to long. There is even a free tour to Gap Cave. The Pinnacle is close by, as is the TriStates Marker, where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky all meet. The view from the Pinnacle is AMAZING! The camp site at Cumberland Gap offers electric and non electric spots as well as spacious Meadows for Boy Scouts troops. The camping spaces are spacious and enough space in between them so you can have privacy. The bathroom/bathhouse are kept very clean! There is so much history here and a Visitors Center nearby. I cannot possibly describe everything available to see and do here!

Gabriella Bugge

This is an absolutely beautiful national park. Within the historical museum, I learned a lot more about the areas pioneers and history than I had previously been aware of, and Im glad that I had stopped in to learn this because it truly enhanced my experience along the parks trails. While it is very steep climbing and definitely a work-out, the vistas available are worth it. You will see everything from the tops of the mountains to beautiful waterfalls and the bridges that cross them. If you have not added this to your list of musts, you should.

Susan Ambler-Graden

Splendid park, inspirational, educational, spiritual. To tour the Hensley settlement is to step back in time and be a part of it, to feel the history come alive with each step. Their cave tour is exquisite, two hours of enchantment in a cool reviving environment. This is THE cleanest park we have visited by far, many miles of assorted trails take you to beautiful cascading waterfalls, through the most beautiful bird song filled forests where you feel one with nature.

Michael G

Great place for scenic views from The Pinnacle and exhibits on the Wilderness Road and civil war history. Nearby is the Lincoln Memorial Museum which is a must see for Lincoln fans. Easy to difficult hiking trails, some following original Wilderness Road. Theres a historic iron making furnace near the Gap parking lot and a must see bicycle museum.Beautiful and well maintained park and great restaurants plus cave tours. Highly recommended!

Livleen vazhapilly

The pictures I took doesnt do justice to the beauty of this location. You have to go there to see it definitely worth the trip. Its a long windy road to reach the top point of the park then I drove back down a few miles and parked in a location and walked to the Tri state point. It is a good 30 minute hike through the forest but there is a trail and in July there are several elderly hikers making the trip all the way to the tri state point

sherri james

Absolutely gorgeous view atop the Pinnacle overlook. The park features numerous walking and hiking trails, overlooks, picnic areas, a nice visitors center/gift shop, clean public restrooms and an amazing historical educational opportunity. My family cemetery is located within the park. We are pleased to see the park being kept up so well. We would highly recommend the park for individuals and families as well as groups.

Jacob Ian Wall

A beautiful park in its own right, filled with interesting trails, gorgeous vistas, and history galore, its also a great alternative to the Smokies if you are in the region and want to avoid the crowds. Its only about an hour and a half from downtown Knoxville, just a hair longer than the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Smokies, and not packed with people.

james stewart

Incredible park! Very strenuous hiking along the ridge, but the Pinnacle is accessible for anyone to get a great view of the tori state wilderness. Make sure you get a back country permit and be prepared to haul extra water in case you are there during a dry season. Saw 2 black bears during our last visit, but couldnt get my camera out fast enough.

Donna Criswell

A gem of a park with plenty to do and some of the best rangers you will find in any park. This was our 3rd visit. Not far from Great Smokies, but not overrun with people, even on the weekend. Book your cave tour well in advance. Great hiking with one hike taking you to where 3 states meet at the same point - TN, VA, KY

4 HIS Glory

Informative visitors center with videos, displays, historical information. 4 mile trek by walking or driving or biking steep uphill to the Pinnacle for THE view over Powell Valley and 3 states: KY, TN, VA! Plenty of parking at the top, then a mild short walk on paved path to the overlook called the Pinnacle. Awsome view!

Kay Jon

We had a great time here only had a day to spend so didnt see a lot but enjoyed what we did see! We hope to visit the area again, and do some more hiking and sightseeing. The people at the information/reststop were very helpful. There is also a lot of neat things in there that tells you about the area!

Carrie Carnes

Love to hike the trails with my dog. Beautiful park and well maintained trails. They also feature picnic areas camping sites, and a visitors center. The pinnacle overlook lets you see three states at once and has a wonderful view of the Cumberland Gap, Middlesboro, and Fern lake.

Rebecca Renard

My husband and I visited this park on our honeymoon and we were blown away. The view from Pinnacle Point is absolutely breathtaking. All the history of the area is absolutely fascinating. What an amazing piece of natural landscaping. I am so looking forward to our next trip here!

A Private User

This place has great food! The Gap Burger and their country fried steak are both AMAZING! The atmosphere is really good and the staff is very friendly. There arent many restaurants in this area of KY/TN that I would recommend people to go to but Webbs is a must.

Jay Aldrich

What a fabulous National Historic Park. If you plan ahead you can take a cave tour. A your you will never forget. Plan on the cave tour to last 2 hours and you must be about to walk on uneven surfaces and be able to bend under low rocks. You will love it.