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National Historical Park · KY, TN, VA

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Open

No closure notices posted by NPS.

Last checked Oct 24, 2026, 9:57 PM ET

Official NPS page →
Park Lookout is an independent site, not the National Park Service. We are not affiliated with NPS. Confirm conditions on nps.gov before you go: official Cumberland Gap National Historical Park page.

Current NPS alerts (0)

NPS lists no current alerts for this site as of Oct 24, 2026, 9:57 PM ET.

Hikes, views & photo spots

Picked from official NPS trail and things-to-do pages. Lengths, difficulty and times are shown only where NPS states them. Each spot is checked against current NPS alerts on every update.

  • View

    Pinnacle Overlook

    Length: 600 ft one wayDifficulty: EasyTime: 5 minutes

    Park in Kentucky, walk into Virginia, and look over the Gap, Middlesboro and three states.

    NPS tip: NPS says you can see about 100 miles on a clear day.

    NPS page →

  • Hike

    Tri-State Peak Trail

    Length: 0.6 mi one way (at least 1.2 mi one way to reach it)Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30 minutes

    Stand in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia at once, with a view toward Middlesboro.

    NPS page →

  • Hike

    Wilderness Road Trail

    Length: 2.4 mi one wayDifficulty: Easy to moderate, some strenuous areasTime: 1.5 hours one way

    Walk the historic route through the Cumberland Gap pass itself.

    NPS page →

  • Hike

    Ewing Trail

    Length: 2.5 mi one wayDifficulty: StrenuousTime: 2 hours

    A switchback-heavy climb to the Ridge Trail that NPS describes as view after view, near White Rocks and Sand Cave. Expect wet, slippery spots.

    NPS page →

  • Hike

    Lewis Hollow Trail (Skylight Cave)

    Length: 1.7 mi one wayDifficulty: StrenuousTime: 1 hour

    A steep climb past Skylight Cave, which is closed September to May but visible from the trail.

    NPS page →

  • Hike

    Object Lesson Road

    Length: 0.4 mi one wayDifficulty: EasyTime: 20 minutes

    Easy, gently climbing walk up the old gravel roadbed of Object Lesson Road toward the Gap.

    NPS page →

Sources: Cumberland Gap hiking (NPS) · Pinnacle Overlook (NPS). Spot list checked Oct 24, 2026; trail conditions change, so confirm on nps.gov before you go.

Weather alerts (National Weather Service)

No active NWS watches, warnings or advisories for the forecast zone and county at the park's central point.

Articles about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Park Lookout guideBig South Fork and Cumberland Gap: Kentucky's other big national park sites

Published Oct 24, 2026

Park Lookout guideHow to check if a national park is open before you drive

Published Oct 24, 2026

Park Lookout guideBest hikes and photo spots at Mammoth Cave, Big South Fork and Cumberland Gap

Published Oct 24, 2026

Source: NPS news releaseCumberland Gap Announces Rare Tour for 30th Anniversary of Cumberland Gap Tunnel

Released Sep 30, 2026 · opens nps.gov

About this site

Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America. Explore 85 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness. Stand in 3 states at once. Explore a cave, see Hensley Settlement, or camp under the stars. Come find your connection to Cumberland Gap.

Type
National Historical Park
States
Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia
Address
100 Pinnacle View Rd., Middlesboro, KY 40965

From the NPS Data API. Official NPS page →