Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park reigns supreme in the rich beauty of the Appalachian 

Mountains. Almost 80 miles of hiking trails meander through the park. Experience solitude with 

lush hardwood forests, pristine mountain streams and diverse vegetation. Look closely along the 

trails and discover an abundance of rare and delicate wildflowers. See white-tailed deer, black 

bear, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, gray squirrel, fox, and wild turkey. Whether a leisurely day hike 

or an overnight stay, a trip into the backcountry is an adventure not to be missed. 

 General 

 Information

Prepare Well: If unsure of your route, check 

with a ranger. Stay on established trails – no 

short cutting. Take adequate equipment, 

food, water, and clothing suitable for weather 

conditions and terrain.

Backcountry campsites: Obtain backcountry 

camping permit from the visitor center. 

Camp only in designated areas. Do not ditch 

around tents. Use a plastic ground cover. 

Garbage: Pack it in, pack it out! Please help 

us by picking up litter as you encounter it. 

Smokers – please carry out cigarette butts.

Sanitation: Use established latrines if 

provided. Use a cat hole if there are no 

established latrines. Dispose of all human 

waste and wash water at least two hundred 

feet away from water sources, trails and 

camp.

Leave what you find: Allow others a sense 

of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, 

archaeological artifacts and other objects of 

interest as you find them.

Fires: Keep fires small. Build fires only in 

established fire rings. Use only dead wood 

which is down. Completely extinguish fires.

For day hikes, carry enough water for the 

entire trip. Treated water is available 

seasonally at Hensley Settlement. Untreated 

water is found at Martins Fork and may be 

available in drainages near other backcountry 

campsites. Water obtained from drainages 

for drinking and cooking should first be 

brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute. (Add 

an additional minute for each 1000 feet 

above sea level.) Water can also be treated 

using an approved commercial filter. 

Follow filter instructions according to 

manufacturer’s directions.

Hypothermia can be a problem for the 

improperly dressed hiker, even in summer 

because of lower temperatures caused by rain 

and wind. Autumn and winter temperatures 

demand warmer dress. As a rule of thumb, 

air temperature drops three and one half to 

five degrees for every one thousand feet in 

elevation. 

The visitor center is 1,100 feet, the Pinnacle 

2,440 and Hensley Settlement 3,400 in 

elevation. 

Please do not leave children unattended.

Watch your footing to prevent falls from 

rocks and cliffs. 

Alcoholic beverages are allowed only in 

camp.

Do not feed wild animals! It creates a 

dependence on man, upsets feeding habits, 

and creates situations which may result in 

injury.

Pets must be on a leash at all times. During 

summer months, please do not leave pets 

unattended in vehicles.

Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads live at 

Cumberland Gap. Leave them alone. 

Leave No Trace 

Guidelines 

“An Ounce of 

Prevention...”

Hiking and Backcountry Camping