Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park encompasses a total area of almost 21,000 acres of land that is located in parts of southeastern Kentucky, northeastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. To access the park, visitors must travel via US 25E from Kentucky and Tennessee or US 58 from Virginia. The park was authorized on June 11, 1940, and is managed by the National Park Service.

The park is an extraordinary place, and therefore a national historic park for several reasons. Most importantly, however, the park has a famous mountain pass on Wilderness Road that developed into a key route of the great trans-Allegheny migration for the settlement of ‘the Old West.’ The area where the park sits also had a critical military objective during the Civil War.

Besides this attraction, the park is also rich with flora and fauna. About 97% of the park is forested and is the natural habitat for 970 species of vascular plants. 90 of these vascular plants are categorized as sensitive or rare species. Additionally, the park is also home to 145 bird species, 40 mammal species, and 36 reptile and amphibian species.

Besides these attractions, the park is also an excellent place for visitors to appreciate recreational activities like wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, and interpretive programs. Visitors to the park can also get to enjoy some of the park's amenities like a picnic area, campground, museum/exhibit, restrooms, trails (70 miles), and a visitor center.

For those with dogs, bringing them into Cumberland Gap National Historic Park is allowed, but there will undoubtedly be some restrictions. Some of the critical restrictions include keeping your pooch on a leash at all times and keeping away from specific areas of the park including the visitor center and other park buildings. Additionally, visitors should ensure that they keep their dog well-behaved and avoid any aggressive behavior or uncontrollable barking.