Cumberland Gap

Cumberland Gap is a natural passage through the Cumberland Mountains at an elevation of 488 meters (1,601 feet) where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet. The pass cuts through the mountain range at the point where three states converge, creating a natural corridor through the highlands.

Thomas Walker crossed the pass in 1750 as the first English-speaking explorer, opening access to the western territories. Daniel Boone widened the route through this gap in 1775, creating the Wilderness Road that enabled settlement beyond the Appalachians.

The pass bears the name of Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, son of British King George II, who funded early exploration expeditions.

A national park surrounds the pass and provides hiking trails and viewpoints that allow visitors to see three states at once. The road through the pass remains open year-round, with autumn and spring offering milder weather and better foliage views.

Ancient streams carved the opening through solid rock over millions of years, shaping the landscape visitors see today. The nearby Middlesboro Crater formed from a meteorite impact more than 300 million years ago and ranks among the oldest known impact sites in North America.

Location: Kentucky

Elevation above the sea: 488 m

GPS coordinates: 36.60406,-83.67364

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01