Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Wilderness Road Campground

“Stand at Cumberland Gap and watch the procession of civilization, marching single file–the buffalo following the trail to the salt springs, the Indian, the fur-trader and hunter, the cattleraiser, the pioneer farmer–and the frontier has passed by”

(Frederick Jackson Turner, 1893). 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (24,000 acres) is located where the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet. This park and the area around it is packed with history, culture, great food and drink--and lots of options for outdoor adventure. This historical park also contains a very good campground called Wilderness Road Campground. Overall, this historical park and the region around it are excellent for an RV vacation and it is something of an under-the-radar gem.

Our guide to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Wilderness Road Campground is our longtime correspondent, Casita Dean May. To listen to Jeremy interview Dean click on the media player above, or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your shows. Or read right here and dive into Casita Dean May's extensive show notes.

Location of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

If flying the closest airports would be Knoxville (85 miles away) and Lexington (130 miles away) along the I-75 corridor. By car, take Exit 25 East to Corbin and the park is about 50 miles southeast. The park is adjacent to Middlesboro, KY. Interestingly, the campground is actually located in Ewing, Virginia! 

Wilderness Road Campground

Wilderness Road Campground is a public campground located inside a national historical park. Cumberland Gap is one of 424 National Park Service units and one of 63 national historical parks. Wilderness Road Campground contains 154 sites, including 41 sites that have 20, 30, & 50 amp electricity. Loops B & C contain the 41 sites with electric while Loops A, D, E, F, & G have no hookups. 

Most Wilderness Road Campground sites are wooded with partial to full shade. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, the park and the campground are within the surrounding hills and mountains and much of the campground is located on a gentle slope with many of the sites having a gentle to moderate slope.  

Reservations can be made on-line via reservation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Non-electric sites are $18 per night. Electric sites are $24 per night. Finding open campsites at Wilderness Road Campground is fairly easy--especially if you have a bit of flexibility.

Other site details include:

Most sites will accommodate rigs up to 32’.

There are few sites large enough for big rigs.

However, some sites are small enough to accommodate only smaller RVs. 

Sites are back-in.

There is no WiFi service but cell service was fine (AT&T;). The park rangers and staff were pleasant inside the campground. The staff and rangers at the Visitors Center were amazing!!!  There are recreational and educational activities, particularly at the visitor center. Highlights include guided interpretive walks, interpretive programs, and hiking, biking, photography, birding, caving, scenic drives, etc. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park truly has a wonderful visitor center.

There are three bath houses located throughout the park with potable water access at each bath house as well. There is also a dump station with potable water at the entrance to the campground. 

A Few Insider Insider Details About Wilderness Road Campground

C-4 is a pull-through site.

Recommend Loops B & C with electric hookups. 

Many of the non-electric sites were a bit too primitive (personal preference). 

Regional Highlights and Activities

There are many things to see and do in the greater Cumberland Gap National Hi...