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. 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. [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. According to many accounts, between 200,000 and 300,000 settlers came through the Gap into Kentucky and beyond from 1775 to 1810. Elevation: 1360 ft., Cumberland Gap National Historic Park spans the borders of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Programs are only possible because of the generous support of people like you. [5]:xvii The streams in the park house around 27 species of fish, including Chrosomus cumberlandensis (blackside dace), federally listed as an endangered species. Camping Camping. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. [4]:10 As of 2018 the park had an estimated $15 million in deferred maintenance. The first doorway to the west is commemorated at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. Later attempts in 1929 sought to create memorials for Civil War battles fought in the area, and also failed. 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. [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 park is composed of three separate sites, in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, that each played a significant role in The Manhattan Project. Lexington, Kentucky approximately 130 miles away. Sightseeing and Wildlife Watching Sightseeing. And every autumn, the annual hawk migration wows visitors as the skies fill up with spectacular birds of prey. [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. The Cumberland Gap takes a close look at the fantastic natural and historical features found in the 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. [15] No hunting is permitted within the park. There's Only One...Cumberland Gap. 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. The grand panorama from the Pinnacle Overlook is the most-visited attraction in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Privacy Notice: The National Park Foundation adheres to the privacy policy found at Closest major airport: Knoxville, Tennessee approximately 85 miles away. Carved by wind and water, Cumberland Gap forms a major break in the Appalachian Mountain chain. At Cumberland Gap, the Appalachian Mountains give way to 24,000 acres of wilderness, a land of verdant vegetation and diverse animal life. Living with Black Bears: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Winters are generally mild with rain and some periods of snow January through March, with temperatures typically in the 30s and 40s. The park lies in parts of Bell and Harlan counties in Kentucky, Claiborne County in Tennessee, and Lee County in Virginia. 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. [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). Camping near Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. Hiking Hiking and Backpacking. 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. 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. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [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). Early native Americans traveled through it along a game trail,… White Rocks. Raptor Rhapsody. [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. [19] In 2016 the United States Mint released a commemorative quarter as part of the America the Beautiful series honoring the park. Rt. Tour Hensley Settlement and experience what life was like in a 20th century mountain community. [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. [4]:10 By 1996, the park had undergone some $280 million in improvements, including construction of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.[4]:10. Mailing Address: 91 Bartlett Park Road Middlesboro, KY 40965 . [11][10], In 1992 the park purchased the area surrounding Gap Cave, which had previously been privately owned. US Highway 25E was an integral part of the historic Dixie Highway and became a major north-south thoroughfare. Box 1848 US 25E South . MIDDLESBORO, KY (WATE) – The visitor center at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park reopened Tuesday. The park is composed of three separate sites, in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, that each played a significant role in The Manhattan Project. 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. [17], The park saw 737,547 visitors in 2017, according to statistics by the National Park Service. Beginnings of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park fom early postcard. 58 Ewing, VA 24248 1.2 MI . [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. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. "Where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia converge, a path to new worlds appears. [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). Additionally, surveys have identified at least 36 species of reptiles and amphibians. During the Civil War, Cumberland Gap … 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. A legendary passageway and a magnificent destination all its own, Cumberland Gap has hosted buffalos and Cherokee warriors, pioneers and modern day adventure-seekers. 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. [12]:13, Guided tours of the Hensley Settlement and Gap Cave are provided from the tourist center. Choose from more than 7 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. [2], The park covers 24,000 acres (9,700 ha) and is among the largest national parks in the eastern United States. [4]:v Elevation varies from a low of 1,100 feet (340 m) to a high of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). The park is named after Cumberland Gap - a narrow, natural break in the Cumberland Mountains which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. [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. [5]:xvii These include 108 non-native species of plants, and 31 considered to be highly aggressive invasive plants. [5]:18[10] However, two bills introduced into the Kentucky State Legislature the following year by State Congressman John Robison both failed. Tourists flocked to see where Daniel Boone blazed the first major westward trail. The park surrounds Cumberland Gap, a natural corridor providing passage across the Appalachians. [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). [5]:15, The park contains over 62 miles (100 km) of streams. Cumberland Gap is the historic mountain pass on Wilderness Road that opened the pathway for westward migration. 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. Hikers beware: weather can be unpredictable, especially at higher elevations. Support Programs Like This . Visit our site. [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. Last updated: January 9, 2020. [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. The Raptor Rhapsody at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is an … [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". Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. 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. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park celebrated the bicentennial in 2016. “Cumberland Gap...is a landmark of what nature can do when she wishes to give an opportunity to the human race.”— James Allen. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. For a long time the Cumberland Gap itself was used by Native Americans as hunting grounds because it served as a … 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. Our parks need the support of people like you who love and visit them. [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. [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. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is an important spot in terms of early westward expansion and a great place for a weekend getaway. A marker designating the tripoint of the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, is located at the peak of the mountain. This pass through the mountains was used for hundreds of years… Learn more about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. [16] The nearby Wilderness Road Campground includes 160 campsites. [3]:29 As of 2010, 14,091 acres (5,702 ha) of this was designated as Recommended Wilderness. Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Middlesboro , KY. Park Info on NPS. It is a great orientation to the park and its many facets. Contact the Park. If … 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. 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. 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