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A natural notch in the Cumberland Mountains opened the way for pioneers heading west into Kentucky.
Daniel Boone passed through the gap for the first time in 1769. In 1775, Boone and 30 men blazed the Wilderness Road. Today, the 20,000-acre park established in 1955 straddles Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
The park can be reached from U.S. 25-E from Kentucky and Tennessee or U.S. 58 from Virginia. Park gates are open from 8 a.m. until dusk year-round. The visitor center, which includes a history museum, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day through Memorial Day, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. The visitor center is closed on Christmas Day.
The park has one developed campground off U.S. 58 in Virginia. Five backcountry campgrounds, which require backpacking permits, are accessible by foot only.
There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails ranging from short, self-guided nature trails to longer overnight trails. Horses are permitted on many trails. Bicycles are allowed only on paved roads and on designated trails.
The historic Hensley Settlement, accessible by trail, pays tribute to the self-sufficient lifestyle of the Appalachian people.
Outdoor Activities |
The Old Stone Face at Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.
Hikers walk down Wilderness Road Trail in Kentucky.
The Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap was blazed by Daniel Boone in the 1770s.
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