Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Hensley Settlement Tours

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-r......More

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.

Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.

Textiles Talk

Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.

This program will be upstairs in the visitor center.

Coopering Crafting Barrels

Experience the centuries-old tradition of coopering, where skilled craftspeople shape and assemble wooden barrels and casks using time-honored tools and techniques, bringing this essential historic trade to life through live demonstration.

Outside of the Visitor Center

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Hensley Settlement Tours

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-r......More

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.

Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.

Hensley Settlement Tours

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-r......More

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.

Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.

Textiles Talk

Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.

This program will be upstairs in the visitor center.

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Cumberland Gap Tour

Step into history on a guided tour of Cumberland Gap, where a guide brings to life the journeys of Native peoples, explorers, and pioneers who crossed this natural passage through the Appalachian Mountains. Along scenic trails and overlooks, you’ll experience sweeping v......More

Step into history on a guided tour of Cumberland Gap, where a guide brings to life the journeys of Native peoples, explorers, and pioneers who crossed this natural passage through the Appalachian Mountains. Along scenic trails and overlooks, you’ll experience sweeping views and stories that reveal why the Gap became known as the “First Gateway to the West.”This 1.2-mile round-trip hike is considered moderate.  

Meet at the Thomas Walker Parking Lot.

Textiles Talk

Stop by and discover the rich heritage of textile traditions through spinning, weaving, and old-world fabric making from the 18th and 19th centuries, where history comes alive through hands-on demonstrations and timeless craftsmanship.

This program will be upstairs in the visitor center.

Gap Cave Tour

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that ......More

Step into Gap Cave and follow a trail filled with history, science, and natural beauty. From Dr. Thomas Walker’s early explorations to stories from the Civil War, this tour brings the past to life while guiding you through stunning cave formations and the wildlife that call this place home. 

Meet at the Daniel Boone VIC

Metalwork Monday

Stop by this drop-in blacksmith demonstration at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and experience early metalworking in action. Watch glowing iron take shape at the forge and learn how blacksmiths created the tools that supported daily life on the frontier. Come a......More

Stop by this drop-in blacksmith demonstration at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and experience early metalworking in action. Watch glowing iron take shape at the forge and learn how blacksmiths created the tools that supported daily life on the frontier. Come and go anytime during the program.

Held at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center.

Hensley Settlement Tours

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-r......More

Step back in time with park staff as you explore the Hensley Settlement, a preserved early 20th-century Appalachian community perched atop Cumberland Mountain in Kentucky. Wander along fence-lined lanes, peek inside the springhouse, and experience the charm of the one-room schoolhouse, where children once learned by lantern light. During the tour, your guide will take you into several buildings, including cabins, blacksmith shop, and barn. Established in 1903 by Sherman Hensley, the settlement remained occupied until 1947. With Sherman remaining by himself until 1951. Today, its historic buildings and breathtaking views provide a rare glimpse into a bygone era.

Meet at the Visitor Center, from there we will take a shuttle van to Hensley Settlement.