Greetings from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

I owe my love of nature, national parks, and public lands to my parents. One of the many unforgettable trips we’ve taken to national parks over the years was to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in late October 2011. In two days, we saw salamanders and bats in Gap Cave, contemplated the lives of 19th-century settlers during a cold, foggy tour of isolated Hensley Settlement, took in the expansive views from Pinnacle Overlook, and hiked in the footsteps of history to the Saddle of the Gap. Most importantly, we made memories to cherish.

Sincerely,
Thomas

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

This park sits at a natural opening in the Cumberland Mountains that served as one of the earliest gateways to the West for thousands of settlers traveling across the frontier. During the Civil War, Union and Confederate soldiers vied for strategic control of gap, and several forts still exist in the park. Visitors can explore the Hensley Settlement from the early 1900s, a historic community with original, hand-hewn chestnut and oak cabins. Hikers can enjoy underground tours of the park’s impressive caves, as well as more than 85 miles of trails, including routes that lead to unique rock formations and dramatic waterfalls. The four-mile drive to Pinnacle Overlook also offers wonderful views of three states.

State(s): Kentucky Tennessee, Virginia,

Established: 1940

“They are the best part of us.”

National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!

{{ active ? "Cancel" : "Begin"}}

Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.

In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!

Here’s your unique story page link:

{{ storyUrl }}

* indicates Required fields

Click to choose a file to upload

Submitting your story means that you agree to our Terms of Service

More Stories

  • Greetings from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

    I was born on land that is now part of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. In a little log house. The house was owned by the Gibson family. J. N. Gibson and my father, Tip Yeary, used to make moonshine whiskey under a rock cliff that had a cold-water…

  • Greetings from Crater Lake National Park

    Our first ever visit to Crater Lake National Park was with friends in the dead of winter with a thick fog punctuated with snow flakes. We all walked up to the south shoreline to just barely see Wizard Island covered with a blizzard of moving clouds and misty strands of…

  • Greetings from Acadia National Park

    One of my favorite places on earth during foul New England weather! Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park.

Donate

Preserve Our Parks

Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.

Donate Now