If … "Where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia converge, a path to new worlds appears. Additionally, surveys have identified at least 36 species of reptiles and amphibians. [5]:18[10] However, two bills introduced into the Kentucky State Legislature the following year by State Congressman John Robison both failed. The Cumberland Gap Visitor Center is located on U.S. Highway 25E just southeast of Middlesboro, Kentucky and just northwest of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a 24,000 acre park located in the U.S., on the borders of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Nestled at the corner of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky is a small gap in the wall that is the Cumberland Mountains. Privacy Notice: The National Park Foundation adheres to the privacy policy found at US Highway 25E was an integral part of the historic Dixie Highway and became a major north-south thoroughfare. It is a great orientation to the park and its many facets. Middlesboro , KY. Park Info on NPS. Visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park enjoy many miles of trails and scenic features, as the park stretches for 26 miles along Cumberland Mountain, ranging from one to four miles in width and containing 24,000 acres. 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. [5]:55[a], The park is home to at least 145 species of birds, and 40 species of mammals, including the near-threatened bat, Myotis sodalis (Indiana bat). Hensley's Settlement. 91 Bartlett Park Road , VA 40965 3.52 MI . [5]:16 Overall water quality in the park is good to fair, with some areas falling below recommended pH levels, likely due to natural causes, and others exceeding recommended levels of microorganisms, possibly due to contamination from campgrounds. 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. Carved by wind and water, Cumberland Gap forms a major break in the Appalachian Mountain chain. No matter when you visit Cumberland Gap, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothing and footwear appropriate to the season. Duration: 11 minutes, 39 seconds. Tourists flocked to see where Daniel Boone blazed the first major westward trail. 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. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [2], The park covers 24,000 acres (9,700 ha) and is among the largest national parks in the eastern United States. [12]:19[15], There are 85 miles (137 km) of hiking trails, ranging from shorter routes such as the 2.6 miles (4.2 km) Sugar Run Trail, to the 21 miles (34 km) Ridge Trail, which spans the park and reaches an elevation of 3,513 feet (1,071 m). The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located at the border between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, centered on the Cumberland Gap, a natural break in the Appalachian Mountains. [12]:13, Guided tours of the Hensley Settlement and Gap Cave are provided from the tourist center. [5]:xvii, In 2017 the park received the Keeper of the Light Award from the Southeast Region of the National Park Service, which recognizes excellence in education. Hiking Hiking and Backpacking. Mailing Address: 91 Bartlett Park Road Middlesboro, KY 40965 . Programs are only possible because of the generous support of people like you. Guided Tours Guided Tours. The Cumberland Gap takes a close look at the fantastic natural and historical features found in the park. The geological wonder that transformed a nation awaits you. Entrance Fee: $0.00, There is no fee to visit this great park. 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. 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. [5]:xvii, Ecosystems in the park are threatened by a number of insect infestations from non-native pest species, including Dendroctonus frontalis (southern pine beetle), and Adelges tsugae (hemlock woolly adelgid). [17], The park saw 737,547 visitors in 2017, according to statistics by the National Park Service. [16] The nearby Wilderness Road Campground includes 160 campsites. 58 Ewing, VA 24248 1.2 MI . Later attempts in 1929 sought to create memorials for Civil War battles fought in the area, and also failed. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park celebrated the bicentennial in 2016. P.O. During the Civil War, Cumberland Gap … Choose from more than 7 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Diagrams showing the Cumberland (left) and Powell (right) rivers and their creation of the Cumberland Gap through the Pine (left) and Cumberland (right) ranges (McFarlan 1943). Winters are generally mild with rain and some periods of snow January through March, with temperatures typically in the 30s and 40s. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday. Living with Black Bears: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Tour Hensley Settlement and experience what life was like in a 20th century mountain community. [12]:17 Around 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the center, along the Skyland Road, lies the Pinnacle Overlook, which, at an elevation of 2,440 feet (740 m), overlooks the gap and the surrounding country. According to many accounts, between 200,000 and 300,000 settlers came through the Gap into Kentucky and beyond from 1775 to 1810. The park lies in parts of Bell and Harlan counties in Kentucky, Claiborne County in Tennessee, and Lee County in Virginia. [9][4]:27, The climate of the area is mild, with hot and humid summers and mild winters, and an average annual temperature of 54 Â°F (12 Â°C). [18] Peak rates of visitation normally occur during the seasons of spring, summer and fall. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park became a National Park in 1940. Sightseeing and Wildlife Watching Sightseeing. In 1938, the National Park Service agreed to support a park if the lands were donated to form one, and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Association was created, sparking more unsuccessful attempts in Kentucky, and then passage of a bill in Virginia in 1939 that paved the way for federal authorization. A legendary passageway and a magnificent destination all its own, Cumberland Gap has hosted buffalos and Cherokee warriors, pioneers and modern day adventure-seekers. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Two weeks ago, Greg and I spent the weekend exploring some of Southwest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and part of that time was spent in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [5]:xvii The streams in the park house around 27 species of fish, including Chrosomus cumberlandensis (blackside dace), federally listed as an endangered species. Tax identification number: 52-1086761. [19] In 2016 the United States Mint released a commemorative quarter as part of the America the Beautiful series honoring the park. The Raptor Rhapsody at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is an … [6] The park straddles a tri-state area encompassing land from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The Cumberland Gap is one of many passes in the Appalachian Mountains but the only one in the continuous Cumberland Mountain ridgeline. Camping near Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. “Cumberland Gap...is a landmark of what nature can do when she wishes to give an opportunity to the human race.”— James Allen. The first doorway to the west is commemorated at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. Cumberland Gap National Park has a lot to offer: rich history, spectacular scenery, impressive vistas, unique geologic sandstone formations, magnificent underground caverns, and abundant and diverse plant and animal life. Visitor Center … 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. [3]:29 As of 2010, 14,091 acres (5,702 ha) of this was designated as Recommended Wilderness. The grand panorama from the Pinnacle Overlook is the most-visited attraction in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia converge, a path to new worlds appears. [7][6][4]:v It was authorized by Congress to occupy an area not to exceed 50,000 acres (20,000 ha). The park is composed of three separate sites, in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, that each played a significant role in The Manhattan Project. Manhattan Project National Historical Park. [5]:73, Business leaders from Middlesboro, Kentucky meeting in Cincinnati for the Appalachian Logging Conference, proposed a Lincoln National Park, centered around Fern Lake as early as 1922. [11][10], In 1992 the park purchased the area surrounding Gap Cave, which had previously been privately owned. [4]:30, Tri-State Peak is located in the park, and is accessible by trail. Learn more about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The species Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) and Lymantria dispar dispar (gypsy moth) also represent imminent threats from surrounding areas. For a long time the Cumberland Gap itself was used by Native Americans as hunting grounds because it served as a … [5]:13, The park runs along the Cumberland Mountains, stretching about 20 miles (32 km) with an average width of 1.6 miles (2.6 km). At Cumberland Gap, the Appalachian Mountains give way to 24,000 acres of wilderness, a land of verdant vegetation and diverse animal life. 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. Early native Americans traveled through it along a game trail,… [12]:19 The area surrounding the lake was purchased by the park in four phases following the passage of the Fern Lake Conservation and Recreation Act, increasing the overall size of the park by 20%: As of 2010 there were plans to acquire an additional 600 acres (240 ha) of land surrounding the lake. Hikers beware: weather can be unpredictable, especially at higher elevations. [3]:29 It includes the area of the Wilderness Road running through the passage across the Cumberland Plateau and through the Cumberland Gap, an important geological feature that facilitated travel for American settlers and Native Americans. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [4]:34[8] At the northeastern end, the park sits adjacent to the Sillalah Creek Wildlife Management Area and the Martin's Fork Wildlife Management Area and State Natural Area. Whatever time of year you choose to visit Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Middlesboro, it’s always a good idea to … 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. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the Cumberland River, providing visitors hiking, camping, and kayaking. 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. [5]:46, The area of the park is 97% forested and contains 970 species of vascular plants, 90 of which are classified as sensitive or rare species. Area Events. There's Only One...Cumberland Gap. Phone: (606) 248-2817. Toward the southern end of the park lies Fern Lake, created by an earthen dam in 1890, which provides water to the nearby town of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [5]:13[7][6] It includes 24 known cave features ranging in size from around 20 feet (6.1 m) to more than 16 miles (26 km) in length. Explore an array of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, US vacation rentals, including houses, & more bookable online. This film lasts 11 minutes. The park surrounds Cumberland Gap, a natural corridor providing passage across the Appalachians. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located along the tri-state border of KY, VA, and TN..... 14 Figure 3. White Rocks. Support Programs Like This . The park is named after Cumberland Gap - a narrow, natural break in the Cumberland Mountains which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. Woodland bison, elk, and deer in search of salt licks and food first trampled the pathway. [5]:xvii These include 108 non-native species of plants, and 31 considered to be highly aggressive invasive plants. Raptor Rhapsody. 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. Camping Camping. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. A 2006 study listed the six plants which would be most beneficial if removed from the park as being: Martin's Fork Wildlife Management Area and State Natural Area, List of areas in the United States National Park System, List of national parks of the United States, "National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics", "Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park", "Geology of Cumberland Gap National Historic Park", "Cumberland Gap National Historical Park", "Martins Fork WMA and State Natural Area", Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, "Cumberland Gap and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park", "The Cumberland Gap, the Notch America Squeezed Through", "Fact Sheet: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park", "Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, KY", "Plan a trip to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park", "Tourism to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Creates $46 Million in Economic Benefit", "Cumberland Gap National Historical Park receives prestigious award", "New quarter honors Cumberland Gap National Park", Official Cumberland Gap National Historical Park website, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, National Register of Historic Places listings in Virginia, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Magoffin County Pioneer Village and Museum, Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, History of the National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cumberland_Gap_National_Historical_Park&oldid=994082519, National Historical Parks of the United States, Rural history museums in the United States, National Register of Historic Places in Bell County, Kentucky, National Register of Historic Places in Harlan County, Kentucky, National Register of Historic Places in Claiborne County, Tennessee, National Register of Historic Places in Lee County, Virginia, Parks on the National Register of Historic Places in Tennessee, Parks on the National Register of Historic Places in Kentucky, Parks on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia, Protected areas of Claiborne County, Tennessee, Protected areas of Harlan County, Kentucky, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Phases I and II, 1,850 acres (750 ha) of land purchased in 2008 from Ataya Hardwoods by, Phase III, 1,268 acres (513 ha) of land purchased in 2009 from Molpus Woodlands Group, Phase IV, 905 acres (366 ha) of land purchased in 2009 from Molpus Woodlands Group, This page was last edited on 14 December 2020, at 01:00. Lexington, Kentucky approximately 130 miles away. The park contains the Kentucky-Virginia-Tennessee tri-state area, accessible via trail. The park is rich in American Indian, early pioneer and Civil War history, plus offers 70 miles of trails, tours of the historic Hensley Settlement, cave tours and camping. Rt. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located at the border between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, centered on the Cumberland Gap, a natural break in the Appalachian Mountains. Contact the Park. The Wilderness Road Campground will … Today, Cumberland Gap continues to attract adventurous people. This pass through the mountains was used for hundreds of years… Last updated: January 9, 2020. Our parks need the support of people like you who love and visit them. Elevation: 1360 ft., Cumberland Gap National Historic Park spans the borders of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Beginnings of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park fom early postcard. Cumberland Gap is the historic mountain pass on Wilderness Road that opened the pathway for westward migration. [4]:10[8], There are a number of large cliff systems in the park, the most prominent of which is the 500 feet (150 m) cliffs of White Rocks, located in the eastern portion of the area. The park is composed of three separate sites, in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, that each played a significant role in The Manhattan Project. The visitor center features a museum with interactive exhibits about the Gap's role as a transportation corridor, an auditorium that shows films about the area's cultural and natural history, a book store and the Cumberland Crafts gift shop with crafts from Appalachia. [4]:10 By 1996, the park had undergone some $280 million in improvements, including construction of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.[4]:10. At Cumberland Gap, the Appalachian Mountains give way to 24,000 acres of wilderness, a land of verdant vegetation and diverse animal life. Nearby Parks. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center is located on U.S. Highway 25E just south of Middlesboro, Kentucky. 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. [5]:xvii With the exception of one, Little Yellow Creek, all of these originate from within the park, with those to the north of the main ridge flowing into the Cumberland River, and those to the south flowing into the Powell River. [20], 20,000 acres (Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia) operated by the U.S. National Park Service, View from the Pinnacle Overlook toward the southwest, overlooking Fern Lake and the surrounding park, 2009. The protection of our national parks is a job we can all do. [14], The park includes a visitor's center, renovated in 2004, which features a museum and auditorium, providing exhibits on the areas cultural and natural history, as well as book and gift shops. 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. A marker designating the tripoint of the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, is located at the peak of the mountain. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. Throughout the ages, poets, songwriters, novelists, journal writers, historians and artists have captured the grandeur of the Cumberland Gap. [4]:v Elevation varies from a low of 1,100 feet (340 m) to a high of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). MIDDLESBORO, KY (WATE) – The visitor center at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park reopened Tuesday. [4]:10 As of 2018 the park had an estimated $15 million in deferred maintenance. nationalparks.org. And every autumn, the annual hawk migration wows visitors as the skies fill up with spectacular birds of prey. [5]:15, The park contains over 62 miles (100 km) of streams. Visit our site. [5]:18[10], The park was established on June 11, 1940 by Franklin Roosevelt in order to "commemorate the story of the first doorway of the west". [1] According to one federal study, in 2013 visitor spending amounted to $46 million in nearby communities, supporting 639 local jobs. 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. Also, if you book your Cumberland Gap National Historical Park vacation package in Middlesboro with Travelocity, you’ll get access to our best travel discounts. [15] No hunting is permitted within the park. Closest major airport: Knoxville, Tennessee approximately 85 miles away. Gap Caverns in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is an important spot in terms of early westward expansion and a great place for a weekend getaway. US 25E South , VA 40965 3.97 MI . Box 1848 US 25E South . [4]:v The surrounding states purchased and deeded the land of the park to the federal government in 1955, and the official opening took place in 1959. Parts of Bell and Harlan counties in Kentucky, and Virginia need the support of like. Tn..... 14 Figure 3 and also failed 12 ]:13, Guided tours of the Gap... Our parks need the support of people like you [ 6 ] the and. 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