Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Cumberland Gap played a key role in America's history. The park has hiking, camping, and much more. If you don't comply, your message will be removed.
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Have you ever stopped to admire the garden in front of our Visitor Center? If so, you have seen one of the park’s stando...
06/09/2026

Have you ever stopped to admire the garden in front of our Visitor Center? If so, you have seen one of the park’s standout volunteer projects in action.

The Harrogate Garden Club is behind that beautiful garden bed, providing the care, planning, and dedication that keeps it looking its best. With National Garden Week here, it is the perfect time to give a well deserved thank you to this incredible group.

These volunteers come out multiple times each month, and their hard work truly shows in every bloom and every detail. From redbud to the purple coneflower, their efforts can be seen in both the small and large plants they tend. The garden is now home to over 60 native plants! Their work helps keep not just the Visitor Center beautiful, but also supports our pollinators and the surrounding ecosystem.

If you have not had a chance to see their work up close, we highly recommend stopping by and taking it in.

Thank you, Harrogate Garden Club , for everything you do to make the park more beautiful for everyone.

Image: The leader of the Harrogate Garden Club removing weeds from the garden bed in front of the visitor center. NPS Photo

Although others had traveled through the Cumberland Gap before him—including Native Americans and explorers like Thomas ...
06/07/2026

Although others had traveled through the Cumberland Gap before him—including Native Americans and explorers like Thomas Walker—Daniel Boone is the historical figure most closely tied to the legacy of the Cumberland Gap. Over 140 years ago, the Kentucky Historical Society established June 7 as National Boone Day, believing it marked the date Boone first passed through the Gap.

Boone first learned of the route from his friend John Findley, who had traded with the Shawnee in Eskippakithiki (near present-day Lexington). In 1769, Findley persuaded Boone to head west. That June, Boone and a small group reached the Cumberland Gap—passing through, according to historian John Filson, on June 7.

They spent the summer exploring and hunting near the Ohio River, but in the fall, a Shawnee hunting party confronted them. Viewing the land as sacred, the Shawnee warned Boone to leave: “Go home and stay there…this is Indians’ hunting ground.” Boone would later return anyway—eventually helping to establish Fort Boonesborough.

Image: Boone's First View of Kentucky by William Tylee Ranney. NPS Photo

During the American Revolution, Daniel Boone—already famous for helping open the wilderness route through the Cumberland...
06/04/2026

During the American Revolution, Daniel Boone—already famous for helping open the wilderness route through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky—encountered an infamous British commander, Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton.

Tarleton had a notorious reputation and was known as “Bloody Ban.” He earned this name from his actions in the Carolinas, including the Battle of Waxhaws. On January 17, 1781, he encountered a Patriot army at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina, where Daniel Morgan defeated him, and Tarleton barely escaped with his life. A few months later, he regrouped with Charles Cornwallis’ army.

In May 1781, Cornwallis tasked him with capturing Virginia's legislators. Boone was serving in the Virginia legislature at the time. When the British army threatened Richmond, Boone and the other legislators were forced to flee or be arrested by Tarleton and his army.

On June 4, 1781, as Tarleton’s army left Thomas Walker’s home, they approached and spoke to two men they didn't recognize. As they were speaking, one of the men attempted to slip away. When the other man said "Wait a minute, Captain Boone, and I'll go with you," Tarleton had them arrested. They turned out to be Daniel Boone and his friend John Jouett.

Boone remained in custody only a few days before being paroled by the British.


Image: Portrait of Sir Banastre Tarleton by Joshua Reynolds. National Gallery, UK

Whether you're an experienced cyclist or just looking to take your first ride, Cumberland Gap has plenty to offer.From t...
06/03/2026

Whether you're an experienced cyclist or just looking to take your first ride, Cumberland Gap has plenty to offer.

From the challenging climb up Pinnacle Road to a leisurely ride through the retired train tunnel and the Historic Town of Cumberland Gap, or even a mountain biking adventure that takes you to neighboring Wilderness Road State Park, the park has a route ready for you to explore.

Maps and route information are available at the visitor center.

Image: Bike at the tunnel. NPS Photo/ Olivia Paul

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:Tom and Jerry. Batman and Robin. Mickey and Minnie. TV has given us many iconic duos. Here at Cumber...
06/02/2026

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:

Tom and Jerry. Batman and Robin. Mickey and Minnie. TV has given us many iconic duos. Here at Cumberland Gap, we've got one of our own: Julie and Larry.

They may not be on TV, but around the park they've become legendary, known to staff, interns, volunteers, and visitors alike. When the park has a need, Julie and Larry show up time and time again to lend a hand and make a real difference.

From helping prep Hensley Settlement for tour season, to clearing trails like Object Lesson Road, to jumping in on cave tours, there’s no job too big or too small for this dynamic duo. They volunteer weeks out of their year tackling projects that might not get done without them.

Their time, energy, and dedication don’t just help the park, they help bring it to life.

We’re grateful for all they do and proud to have them as part of the Cumberland Gap community.

Image: Julie and Larry helping out at the Little Yellow Creek Clean Up. NPS Photo

Current Conditions and AlertsJune 2, 2026:Please be advised of the following roadway and maintenance activities. Motoris...
06/02/2026

Current Conditions and Alerts

June 2, 2026:
Please be advised of the following roadway and maintenance activities. Motorists should expect brief delays and use caution when traveling through affected areas.

• Maintenance will be mowing along HWY 988 and will have a rolling roadblock today, June 2.

• Pinnacle Road at the little yellow creek bridge will have a temporary one-lane closure for a short time tomorrow, June 3, for additional bridge work.

NPS Photo

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is offering a FREE teacher workshop on August 1. This annual professional develo...
06/01/2026

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is offering a FREE teacher workshop on August 1. This annual professional development opportunity equips area educators with valuable local information and resources to use in their elementary, middle, high school, or home school classroom.

This year's workshop will focus on the history of Appalachia in the Gilded Age and beyond. Workshop participants will hear presentations from experts in their field and go on a historical tour of one of Appalachia's most colorful towns.

This teacher workshop is FREE, but pre-registration is REQUIRED. For more information, call the visitor center at (606) 248-2817. Space is limited, so please sign up and secure your spot as soon as possible.

Image: Park Ranger leading a group of teachers on an excursion at Fort McCook (Civil War fortification). NPS Photo

Due to a pressure tank failure, water is currently unavailable at Hensley Settlement. We are working to resolve the issu...
05/29/2026

Due to a pressure tank failure, water is currently unavailable at Hensley Settlement. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and will provide updates when water service is restored. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Image: Hensley Settlement NPS Photo

Little Yellow Creek runs through Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the surrounding neighborhood, connecting th...
05/27/2026

Little Yellow Creek runs through Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the surrounding neighborhood, connecting the park’s forests and nearby communities through a shared watershed shaped by water and movement.

In April, twelve volunteers joined our creek cleanup in honor of Earth Day. Working along the corridor, they removed several hundred pounds of trash, including two shopping carts, two tires, and one very waterlogged sleeping bag.

The creek is part of the broader natural system tied to the Cumberland Gap landscape, where water continues to shape the land and the places around it.

Thank you to the volunteers who helped give Little Yellow Creek a refresh.

Image: Park staff and volunteers pose with trash collected during the Little Yellow Creek cleanup. NPS Photo

Looking for a volunteer opportunity?Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is now seeking Campground Assistants to supp...
05/26/2026

Looking for a volunteer opportunity?

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is now seeking Campground Assistants to support operations at Wilderness Road Campground!

Do you enjoy working outdoors and helping others? As a Campground Assistant, you’ll help create a clean, safe and welcoming environment for guests by patrolling campsites, assisting visitors with reservations, maintaining facilities, sharing information and supporting park staff.

If you’re ready to make a difference while making our campgrounds a welcoming and clean space, we’d love to have you on the team!

Apply today at https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ00000LCTWnYAP/campground-assistant

Dates of Service: Ongoing service with a regular weekly commitment.

Join us at the campground and help keep the Wilderness Road Campground ready for the next visitor!

Image: Volunteers at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. NPS Photos

Address

91 Bartlett Park Road
Middlesboro, KY
40965

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16062482817

Website

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