Before you enter the backcountry, stop by the park visitor center for trail maps and information. If you plan to 

camp overnight, a free backcountry permit will reserve your campsite. Arrive early enough to ride from the parking area to the backcountry campsite. Sites may be reserved up to three months in advance. Take the minimum 

number of horses necessary, and be sure they are healthy, calm, and experienced. 

Horse trailers may be parked in the gravel lot along the entrance road to the Wilderness Road Campground and 

at Dark Ridge Overlook near Sugar Run.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Horseback Riding

A unique experience awaits horseback riders at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. In the park’s magnificent 

backcountry, riders may travel for hours with only the natural beauty of the mountains for company. Dismount and 

experience the peaceful coolness of Sand Cave and the breathtaking vistas of Powell Valley viewed from high atop 

the precipitous White Rocks. Stroll back in time amidst the historic log cabins and the one-room schoolhouse of 

Hensley Settlement. Overnight visitors may secure horses to hitching posts at one of several primitive campsites 

along the RidgeTrail, or enjoy the rustic log cabin and corral at Martins Fork. 

Introduction

Preparation

Horses are prohibited in some areas. The map on the back of this brochure shows specific trail information and 

mileage. Please sign all trail registers, and be courteous to hikers by slowing down to a walk as you pass. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited when riding. Where trail width permits, spead out to prevent the trails from becoming rutted and muddy; travel single file only when necessary. Ride over the center on water bars at their 

strongest point, and swing wide at the switchbacks. Dismount and lead horses over all bridge crossings. To minimize impact on delicate resources including Sand Cave, the White Rocks Overlook, and inside Hensley Settlement, please dismount and leave horses at the designated hitching posts.

On the Trails

Three of our backcountry campsites accommodate horses. All sites are free and have fire rings. Hensley Camp

features hitching posts and accommodates 20 horses and 20 campers. Water is availble 1⁄2 mile away at Hensley 

Settlement. At White Rocks, 12 campers and up to 8 horses can camp. Hitching posts are located at the top of 

the trailhead about 1⁄4 mile from camp, but no water is availble. At Martins Fork, up to 25 campers and 20 horses are welcome. A tiny, rustic log cabin can also be rented for $10 per night. A corral is located behind the cabin, 

along with a stream where you can water the horses. Approach the stream on the most durable surface you can 

find to minimize erosion and muddying the water.

Camping with 

Horses

Fires should be built in the fire rings provided. Use ony deadfall wood no thicker than an adult’s wrist.

To prevent bark damage and avoid trampling of root systems, do not tie horses directly to trees. Use the 

hitching posts or corral provided, and use a highline if more space is needed. Hobble horses prone to pawing.

Allow horses only dry feed for a day before you ride to keep manure drier and attract fewer insects. Horses 

should be fed from a nosebag, or their feed should be put on a groundcloth to avoid attracting wild animals. 

Please use only weed-free grain and processed feed pellets to avoid introducing noxious weeds to the area.

Upon your departure, please pack out all trash and leftover feed. Feed remnants should be widely scattered. 

Use a stick to break apart and spread manure piles to accelerate decomposition. Please leave the campsite 

clean.

Leave No Trace 

Guidelines

Find an area of dry, hard ground where the least ground cover will be disturbed. Stretch a rope a little over 

horse-head high between two rough-barked trees over 8” in diameter. Use tree-saver straps, padding, or several loops of rope to prevent girdling the trees. Tie lead ropes at intervals along the highline so that they cannot 

slide along the line. The lead ropes should be short enough that the horses cannot step over or loop them 

around their necks. Keep lead ropes far enough from the trees to avoid damaging root systems.

Highline Tips