Cumberland Gap & Pinnacle Overlook
Have you ever wondered what it may have been like to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone as he made his way along the Wilderness Road into Kaintucke? Those hearty adventurers were ordinary, everyday folks that sought to build a better life in a new country; little did they know that they were really on their way to build a nation.
Here’s a rare opportunity to step back in time, to have your own experience of crossing through the Gap. Witness frontier hostilities and sense in first-person the nothing-for-certain feelings that were everyday fare for the pioneers in the 1770’s. This guided historical adventure tour will feature visits to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Wilderness Road State Park to trace the steps of Daniel Boone and those that came both before and after him along the path of the pioneers.
Martin's Station at Wilderness Road State Park
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a 24,000 acre park located at the border between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The park abounds in rich history, spectacular overlooks, unique rock formations, and cascading waterfalls. The Cumberland Gap is a sizable natural break in the Appalachian Mountains.
Wilderness Road State Park encompasses 310 acres that lie astride the Wilderness Road, a route carved by Daniel Boone in 1775. The route, which followed a buffalo trace, opened America’s first western frontier. The central feature of the site is Martin's Station, a replica of a colonial frontier fort that was near this site in 1775.
Colonials at Martin's Station
Highlights include a visit to Martin's Station, a colonial era fort, where you’ll witness spectacular frontier action as Indians attack the fort and settlement. You’ll embark on a moderate 1/2 mile hike to historic Cumberland Gap Pass, and delight to breathtaking views as you glimpse three states from the lofty Pinnacle Overlook (2,440 ft). Natural, historic, and colonial photographic opportunities abound on this adventure trek.
The registration fee is $15 per person and van transportation will be provided to the first 10 persons to register. Participants are encouraged to bring a day pack with water, snacks, and a lunch. The hike is moderate so wear appropriate footwear. Total field trip time is 9 hours. Advanced registration is required; departure time from the park is 8:00 AM. Register by clicking here or request additional information by contacting the park at (800) 325-1712.
Cherokee Warrior
Have you ever wondered what it may have been like to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone as he made his way along the Wilderness Road into Kaintucke? Those hearty adventurers were ordinary, everyday folks that sought to build a better life in a new country; little did they know that they were really on their way to build a nation.
Here’s a rare opportunity to step back in time, to have your own experience of crossing through the Gap. Witness frontier hostilities and sense in first-person the nothing-for-certain feelings that were everyday fare for the pioneers in the 1770’s. This guided historical adventure tour will feature visits to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Wilderness Road State Park to trace the steps of Daniel Boone and those that came both before and after him along the path of the pioneers.
Martin's Station at Wilderness Road State Park
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a 24,000 acre park located at the border between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The park abounds in rich history, spectacular overlooks, unique rock formations, and cascading waterfalls. The Cumberland Gap is a sizable natural break in the Appalachian Mountains.
Wilderness Road State Park encompasses 310 acres that lie astride the Wilderness Road, a route carved by Daniel Boone in 1775. The route, which followed a buffalo trace, opened America’s first western frontier. The central feature of the site is Martin's Station, a replica of a colonial frontier fort that was near this site in 1775.
Colonials at Martin's Station
Highlights include a visit to Martin's Station, a colonial era fort, where you’ll witness spectacular frontier action as Indians attack the fort and settlement. You’ll embark on a moderate 1/2 mile hike to historic Cumberland Gap Pass, and delight to breathtaking views as you glimpse three states from the lofty Pinnacle Overlook (2,440 ft). Natural, historic, and colonial photographic opportunities abound on this adventure trek.
The registration fee is $15 per person and van transportation will be provided to the first 10 persons to register. Participants are encouraged to bring a day pack with water, snacks, and a lunch. The hike is moderate so wear appropriate footwear. Total field trip time is 9 hours. Advanced registration is required; departure time from the park is 8:00 AM. Register by clicking here or request additional information by contacting the park at (800) 325-1712.
Cherokee Warrior
At Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, the mountain hollows are abundantly adorned with wildflowers. Among the myriad of blossoms to be viewed at this time are wild geranium, golden ragwort, dwarf larkspur, erect trillium, large-flowered trillium, yellow trillium, rue anemone, hairy buttercup, large-flowered bellwort, pennywort, violet wood-sorrel, Jacob’s ladder, purple phacelia, foamflower, stonecrop, wood vetch, wood-betony, Canada violet, arrow-leaved violet, birdfoot violet, downy wood violet, common blue violet, sweet white violet, long-spurred violet, wild ginger, little brown jug, and star chickweed.
Buds are bursting out all over. Spring is here and Kentucky is radiating with many species of wildflowers. Find your favorite outdoor location to enjoy everything Kentucky has to offer. Please click 
The cold mountain stream and the narrow, shaded gorges help to maintain conditions necessary to support a large assemblage of species more typical of northern climates and higher elevations. Among these rare species are small enchanter’s nightshade, Fraser’s sedge, painted trillium, longtail shrew, and the blackside dace. Black bears frequent the area and the state’s only known nesting pair of common ravens make their home among the preserve’s sandstone cliffs. An endemic fish species, the arrow darter, resides in the fast flowing waters below the preserve's centerpiece, the spectacular, 60-foot, Bad Branch Falls.
A determined effort to traverse a series of switchbacks conducts hardy adventurers along a huffer-puffer trail to the lofty Narrows Overlook observation area. Once there, hiker's are rewarded with incredible views of the historic Narrows (also called the Water Gap), the locale where the Cumberland River cuts through ancient Pine Mountain and near the site where the pioneers traveling the Wilderness Road crossed the river on their way to the Bluegrass. The Narrows, every bit as essential as the celebrated Cumberland Gap itself, was a second, necessary gateway through the mountains for the followers of Boone.
Also seen from this observation area are glimpes of the surrounding mountain terrain and a view of the park's championship golf course, Wasioto Winds. The official trailhead and parking for this trail are located on Harbell Road, situated near the park's north entrance, on the northbound side of Highway 25E.
