By the late 1700s all of the good farmland east of the Appalachian Mountains was taken. Western migration was blocked by the mountains, by treaties with the Indian tribes, and by the French who controlled the Ohio River valley. After the French and Indian War France ceded much of their land holdings to Britain, new treaties were made with the Indians and, with the American Revolution, the land became part of the US.
Getting over the mountains to the western territories was still difficult as there were few passes through the mountains so Cumberland Gap became very important. It was only 300’ above the surrounding terrain and had been used by bison and native tribes for centuries. Between 1776 and 1810 200,000 to 300,000 migrants passed through the gap on their way into Kentucky and the Ohio Valley.
The park has a visitor center, a campground, miles of trails including one through the gap, scenic drives, guided tours through a cave and guided tours of an old mountain settlement.
The visitor center shows two films and has a small museum. All of this is accessible. A short trail to view the ruins of an iron furnace and a short trail at Pinnacle Overlook are accessible. The campground has accessible sites with paved pads, raised fire grates and extended overhangs on the tables. The guided tours are not accessible.
The parking lot at the visitor center has long bus/RV spaces. The campground has sites long enough for any RV but some of them are very sloped. The road to Pinnacle Overlook is closed to trailers and vehicles over 20’. Park
36.60316, -83.69619
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