Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
Summers at Cumberland Gap are hot and humid, with temperatures commonly in the mid to upper 90s. Winters are generally mild with rain and some periods of snow January through March. Temperatures usually range in the 30s and 40s. Weather can sometimes be unpredictable, especially at higher elevations.
🚗 Directions
By Plane The closest major airport is located in Knoxville, Tennessee approximately 85 miles away. Flights can also be made into Lexington, Kentucky approximately 130 miles away. By Car The park entrance is located on Highway 25E just south of Middlesboro Kentucky.
Images
Weathered log cabins greet visitors to Hensley Settlement
Credit: NPS Photo
View from the Pinnacle Overlook
Credit: NPS Photo
History comes alive
Credit: Harold Jerrell
Sand Cave is a massive sandstone rockshelter found in the backcountry
Credit: NPS Photo
Cleopatra's Pool is located deep in the Gap Cave
Credit: NPS Photo
Weathered log cabins greet visitors to Hensley Settlement
Credit: NPS Photo
View from the Pinnacle Overlook
Credit: NPS Photo
History comes alive
Credit: Harold Jerrell
Sand Cave is a massive sandstone rockshelter found in the backcountry
Credit: NPS Photo
Cleopatra's Pool is located deep in the Gap Cave
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Jun 27
Moderate rain
High: 83.8°F | Low: 70.3°F
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 6.3 mph
Rain Chance: 70%
UV Index: 5.3
Sunrise: 06:18 AM
Sunset: 08:56 PM
Moon: Full Moon (97%)
Visibility: 3 mi
Dew Point: 71.6°F
Cloud Cover: 70%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Jun 28
Moderate rain
High: 83.2°F | Low: 65.2°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 6.5 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 10
Sunrise: 06:18 AM
Sunset: 08:56 PM
Moon: Full Moon (100%)
Visibility: 3 mi
Dew Point: 70.6°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Jun 29
Patchy rain nearby
High: 88.5°F | Low: 66.1°F
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 4.7 mph
Rain Chance: 69%
UV Index: 10
Sunrise: 06:18 AM
Sunset: 08:56 PM
Moon: Full Moon (100%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 73.3°F
Cloud Cover: 69%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Flood Watch issued June 27 at 9:44AM EDT until June 28 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Effective: Jun 27, 2026 9:44am
Expires: Jun 28, 2026 12:00am
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of east Tennessee, including the following areas,
Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount Smoky Mountains, Campbell, Claiborne,
Cocke Smoky Mountains, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins,
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Morgan, North
Sevier, Northwest Blount, Northwest Carter, Northwest Cocke,
Northwest Greene, Northwest Monroe, Rhea, Roane, Scott TN, Sevier
Smoky Mountains, Southeast Carter, Southeast Greene, Southeast
Monroe, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union and Washington TN and southwest
Virginia, including the following areas, Lee, Russell, Scott VA,
Washington VA and Wise.
* WHEN...From 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening through Sunday
morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water
crossings may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase in
coverage this afternoon and evening, with showers and storms
continuing into Sunday morning. Training of showers and
storms will occur across some areas. These are the areas
where flooding is most likely. Locally heavy rainfall is
expected with any stronger showers and storms.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Special Weather Statement issued June 27 at 12:09PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Effective: Jun 27, 2026 12:09pm
Expires: Jun 27, 2026 1:00pm
At 1209 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Knoxville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Knoxville, Sevierville, Alcoa, Jefferson City, Dandridge, Pigeon
Forge, Rockford, Kimberlin Heights, McMahan, and Lake Forest.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Gap Cave Tour
Location: Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC
Date: May 6, 2026 12:00am to Aug 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Gap Cave Tour
Location: Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC
Date: May 6, 2026 12:00am to Aug 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Gap Cave Tour
Location: Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC
Date: May 9, 2026 12:00am to May 9, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Gap Cave Tour
Location: Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC
Date: May 9, 2026 12:00am to May 9, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Hensley Settlement Tours
Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.
Location: Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.
Date: May 15, 2026 12:00am to Nov 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Hensley Settlement Tours
Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.
Location: Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.
Date: May 15, 2026 12:00am to Nov 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Textiles Talk
Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.
Location: This program will be upstairs in the visitor center.
Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to Oct 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Coopering Crafting Barrels
Experience the centuries-old tradition of coopering, where skilled craftspeople shape and assemble wooden barrels and casks using time-honored tools and techniques, bringing this essential historic trade to life through live demonstration.
Location: Outside of the Visitor Center
Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to Oct 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Textiles Talk
Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.
Location: This program will be upstairs in the visitor center.
Date: May 17, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Gap Cave Tour
Location: Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC
Date: May 17, 2026 12:00am to Jun 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
100 Pinnacle View Rd.
Middlesboro, KY 40965
🏤 Mailing Address:
91 Bartlett Park Rd.
Middlesboro, KY 40965
📞 Voice Phone: 6062482817
📞 Fax Phone: 6062487276
✉️ Email: cuga_interpretation@nps.gov