Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located immediately south of Middlesboro, Kentucky off US-25E, with the Visitor Center at 100 Pinnacle View Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965 open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Admission to the park and Pinnacle Overlook is free.
Essential Visitor Information (Verified November 2026)
- Visitor Center Address: 100 Pinnacle View Rd., Middlesboro, KY 40965 (Mailing: 91 Bartlett Park Rd.)
- Phone: (606) 248-2817 | Park Bookstore: (606) 248-7606
- Operating Hours: Visitor Center open daily 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; park grounds and trailheads open daily.
- Current Road & Trail Advisory: As of November 2, 2026, NPS crews conduct temporary rolling roadblocks on Pinnacle Road for autumn leaf removal. On the White Rocks Connector Trail, hikers will pass two root balls from prior storm damage.
Top Attractions Inside the Park
1. The Pinnacle Overlook (Elevation 2,440 ft)
Drive the winding 4-mile Pinnacle Road from the Visitor Center (vehicles over 20 feet and trailers are prohibited) or hike via the Ridge Trail. From the overlook deck, you can see straight down into Middlesboro's 3.7-mile meteorite impact crater, plus views of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.
2. Tri-State Peak & Historic Wilderness Road
Walk a short, paved path from the Daniel Boone parking area to stand in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee at the same time along the historic saddle of the Gap blazed by Daniel Boone in 1775.
3. Gap Cave Guided Tours (Seasonal: May–August)
Two-hour ranger-led tours of Gap Cave run seasonally from May through August (20 participants max per tour). Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 5–12 or Interagency Senior/Access Pass holders. Reservations must be made by noon the day before by calling (606) 248-2817.
4. Hensley Settlement
Perched atop Brush Mountain at 3,000 feet elevation, this preserved early-20th-century Appalachian settlement features hand-hewn log cabins, barns, a one-room schoolhouse, and split-rail fences.
