Cumberland Trail State Park

When emigration flourished in the 1700s, many explorers searched for a way to break through the rough terrain of the Appalachian Mountains into the flatland of the Midwest. As legend has it, the famous Daniel Boone led settlers through the Cumberland Gap along the Cumberland Trail, helping the population of the U.S. to spread far into the west. To commemorate this, Tennessee created the Cumberland Trail State Park.

Beginnings and design

Unlike any other state park in Tennessee, Cumberland Trail State Park does not sit on a vast tract of acreage, but stretches for 300 miles through Tennessee's wilderness, following the historical trail. Since its inception in 1998, Tennessee has not yet finished the park and opened half the trail for visitation and exploration. Also, the park serves as a link between other state parks and landmarks, such as Prentice Cooper State Forest and the Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment, both worthy of a visit.

Activities

Chiefly, the park's main design promotes hiking, so that visitors can experience firsthand the trials of the original settlers. Several winding, challenging trails are open, but many more are unfinished. These hiking paths consist of varying difficulty, but many move through wonderful scenic landmarks, including waterfalls, gorges and panoramic landscapes.

The history of the U.S. has always been one of exploration, from Plymouth Rock to the moon, and none symbolize that daring more than the Cumberland Trail. At this bridge between Colonial America and the United States, visitors can marvel in the historic importance of the lush and beautiful greenery.