I was born and raised in Middlesboro, Kentucky. I was a park ranger at Cumberland Gap National Historicial Park from 1983 to 1992. I loved my job so much. But, time went on, I got married, and I had to move away from Middlesboro. I know that I have a biased opinion, but I think, on a smaller scale, Cumberland Gap has everything that the Smoky Mountains National Park has, minus the huge crowds of people. And, I think the Wilderness Road Campground, that is part of the park, is the best campground in the whole southeast region. It is so quiet and peaceful, there are plenty of woods with mature trees providing constant shade over all the camp sites! You have electrical hook ups, clean bath houses, and all the other amenities that any other campground provides. If you are into back country camping, Martin’s Fork campground is not only a nice place, but they did provide a very rustic cabin that you could make reservations to stay. I have been away for a long time. I am assuming that the cabin is still there, and it can be reserved. Someone can correct me, if I am wrong. But, when I was a park ranger in the 80’s, you could hike four miles up to the Martin’s fork campground, pitch a tent, or reserve the cabin and have a very nice experience there. Hensley Settlement is less than a mile away from the Martin’s Fork camp site. So, you have all the cabins and sights to see there. As I said, Cumberland Gap offers everything that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers. But, you will not be inundated and surrounded by huge crowds of people. So, that makes it even better. I feel very privileged and blessed that I not only was able to grow up there, but to be a part of the park service there for so many years. Those were the best days of my whole life.
Sky light cave is a short hike from the pic-nic area at the Wilderness Road campground. You don’t have to take a long hike to see the cave, if you don’t want too. You guys just decided to take the long way to see it. LOL! 😂
I was born and raised in Middlesboro, Kentucky. I was a park ranger at Cumberland Gap National Historicial Park from 1983 to 1992. I loved my job so much. But, time went on, I got married, and I had to move away from Middlesboro. I know that I have a biased opinion, but I think, on a smaller scale, Cumberland Gap has everything that the Smoky Mountains National Park has, minus the huge crowds of people. And, I think the Wilderness Road Campground, that is part of the park, is the best campground in the whole southeast region. It is so quiet and peaceful, there are plenty of woods with mature trees providing constant shade over all the camp sites! You have electrical hook ups, clean bath houses, and all the other amenities that any other campground provides. If you are into back country camping, Martin’s Fork campground is not only a nice place, but they did provide a very rustic cabin that you could make reservations to stay. I have been away for a long time. I am assuming that the cabin is still there, and it can be reserved. Someone can correct me, if I am wrong. But, when I was a park ranger in the 80’s, you could hike four miles up to the Martin’s fork campground, pitch a tent, or reserve the cabin and have a very nice experience there. Hensley Settlement is less than a mile away from the Martin’s Fork camp site. So, you have all the cabins and sights to see there.
As I said, Cumberland Gap offers everything that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers. But, you will not be inundated and surrounded by huge crowds of people. So, that makes it even better.
I feel very privileged and blessed that I not only was able to grow up there, but to be a part of the park service there for so many years. Those were the best days of my whole life.
Sky light cave is a short hike from the pic-nic area at the Wilderness Road campground. You don’t have to take a long hike to see the cave, if you don’t want too. You guys just decided to take the long way to see it. LOL! 😂