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Family Road Trip to Niagara Falls

Finding ourselves in Northern Ohio for a family reunion, we couldn’t help but scheme and plan a last minute road trip to see one of our bucket list places, Niagara Falls!

After a little strategizing and mapping out a few must-see places, we had a fun family road trip to Niagara Falls and got to experience and see some beautiful sights along the way.

Read on to learn more about our trip, where we hit a total of 6 states, checked off the huge bucket list item of Niagara Falls, and added 2 new National Parks to our list.

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Travel Guides

Whether you buy it or check it out from your local library, a good travel guide is always helpful when visiting a new region. Here are a few great resources that we found helpful in planning out our trip.

Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks

Moon Niagara Falls: With Buffalo (Travel Guide)

Akron, OH – Cuyahoga National Park

Tucked away up towards northern Ohio, our first stop was at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Akron.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Cuyahoga Bridge

This visit was extra fun since my brother happened to be in the area that day and he got to meet up and explore with us. Family fun indeed.

A stop at the Boston Mill Visitor Center to chat with a park ranger was very beneficial and helped us plan out our day accordingly.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Cuyahoga Ledges 2

Here were the stops we made on this visit to Cuyahoga:

Boston Mill Visitor Center
Brandywine Falls
The Ledges (and cave areas)
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail to Beaver Marsh
Everett Covered Bridge

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Cuyahoga Marsh

While we were only there for a short time, we got a little peek into this unique park and hope we can make it back one day (maybe the cooler Fall season would be nice…we sure did sweat our tails off since it was on record as one of the hottest days in July in Ohio!)

We would love to make it to a few more waterfalls next time and maybe even ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. 🚂

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Cuyahoga Waterfall

We loved our first visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and definitely recommend visiting it if you find yourself in the area.

Erie, PA – Presque Isle State Park

Our next stop was at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Lake Erie Lighthouse

Known as Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula that stretches into Lake Erie.

A stop beforehand at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to learn about the area’s history, unique ecosystems and ongoing preservation efforts – is definitely a must! This educational center gave us a better understanding and appreciation for the area before we set out to explore the park.

Right at the entrance of the park, we stopped by a unique 50’s-style diner called Sara’s Restaurant to grab a bite to eat. It was such a fun surprise addition to our visit to Presque Isle with all the unusual vintage decorations, and the food was pretty good, too!

Here were some of our favorite stops around Presque Isle:

Lighthouses
Beaches on Lake Erie
Perry Monument on Misery Bay (super interesting history about the War of 1812 and Commodore Perry)

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Lake Monument

There are tons of things to do there…swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, and so much more. It was a really cool place to visit and we loved getting to take our first visit to Lake Erie at Presque Isle.

Niagara Falls, NY – Niagara Falls State Park

Next, we finally made it to one of our bucket list places…good ol’ Niagara Falls!

Words can’t even describe the beauty of this falls. From riding the Maid of the Mist to the bottom of the falls, to the many overlooks that allow you to take it all in, we were just absolutely in awe.

We enjoyed reading the stories of the history of Niagara Falls and the daredevils that attempted going over the falls in barrels and also stories of people that survived accidents. This force of nature is no joke.

Niagara Falls is actually over 176 feet in some sections. It’s big.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist

And…did you know that Niagara Falls actually consists of three separate waterfalls?

The American Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Horseshoe Falls

We also kept laughing about the Woody Woodpecker cartoons where he keeps trying to go over the falls in the barrel but the park ranger kept stopping him. Look it up if you don’t remember. It’s a classic.

Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s one of those places you just have to visit to appreciate it. We are so glad we got to see and experience Niagara Falls as a family.

Pittsburgh, PA

As we began making our drive south, next stop was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Pittsburgh Incline

Pittsburgh was a super family fun place to visit! We loved our time there and crammed in as much as we possibly could in 1 1/2 days!

Here are some of our favorite things we did:

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

We started our first afternoon/evening out at one of the museums, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

We absolutely LOVE museums!

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Carnegie Museum

Here were some of our favorite areas at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History:

Egyptians
Dinosaurs
Geodes/Gems/Rocks
Finding the “Section of Mystery” door

We made it through part of the museum and then went out and ate dinner at a food kiosk, the Asia Tea House (delicious!), in the nearby Schenley Plaza.

After a quick dinner, we went back in and hit the rest of the exhibits and then called it a night. We enjoyed our time at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and would definitely go back again one day.

Sightseeing Around the City

The next day, we got up and hit these places of interest:

Duquesne Incline – ride to the top of a historic incline and see a beautiful view of the city
Points of View Park – walk up the sidewalk from the incline to see the George Washington sculpture and read about the history

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Pittsburgh Statue

Then we hopped in the car and drove over to check out a pinball cafe and grab some lunch. Here were the places we visited that were fun!

Kickback Pinball Cafe – for any old school pinball lovers, this place is great!
Condado Tacos – right down the street from the pinball cafe, amazingly fresh build your own tacos!

Here are more pictures and details about exploring Pittsburgh and the Incline.

Carnegie Science Center

After lunch, we headed over to the Carnegie Science Center which was so much fun! We thought we had planned enough time there, but we actually ran out of time at the end. We couldn’t believe how much there was to see and do!

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Robot air hockey

Here were just some of our favorite areas:

Roboworld (interactive robots)
Bricksburgh (Legos galore!)
Miniature Railroad and Village
Planetarium
BodyWorks (All about the body!)
Sportsworks (with rock climbing and so much more!)

Road Trip to Niagara Falls Science Center

This is a must for any science lovers out there. We really enjoyed our visit to the Carnegie Science Center. There was even the USS Requin Submarine that you can tour, but we didn’t get to see this go around. Maybe next time!

Lansing, WV – New River Gorge National Park

A pleasant surprise that we came across on our drive home that was completely not planned at all was the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls New River Gorge National Park

This beautiful national park is the 63rd and NEWEST national park in the system (as of July 2021.) We happened to be driving through West Virginia and made a stop to visit for a little bit and to see the Historic New River Gorge Bridge which is the Western Hemisphere’s longest arch bridge.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls New River Gorge National Park Bridge

We stopped at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to learn a little more about the area. Then we made a short trek down the boardwalk to a viewing platform to see the view of the bridge and surrounding areas.

Road Trip to Niagara Falls New River Gorge National Park trail

We are already scheming and planning a time to go back to explore and hike this beautiful area as this short visit was just a small taste of all the region has to offer. We loved seeing this beautiful area and reading the history of the bridge, even if just for a short time.

A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
nps.gov

Final Thoughts

We absolutely loved our time exploring in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia on our family road trip to Niagara Falls. This part of the country offers so many unique places to visit and experience. If you head that way, be sure to plan accordingly to make the most of your time there and remember to have fun!

Family Road Trip to Niagara Falls

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area in the Smoky Mountains

By Michelle Fuson Leave a Comment

Located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, between Townsend and Gatlinburg, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area is a perfect place to gather with friends and family.

Whether you are picnicking, hiking or just playing in the river, Metcalf Bottoms has a little something for all ages!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Making Special Memories at Metcalf Bottoms

Metcalf Bottoms is one of those places that has such a special memory from my childhood. During the summer, our family would head up on Sundays after church and meet up with my mom’s extended family.

My Great-Grandma and Great-Great Uncle Jack would go early and get our special picnic area saved for us. The one with 3 tables where we could all eat together and spread out for the day.

It was also conveniently located right next to the best swimming hole in all of Metcalf.

By the time we got up there, Mamaw and Uncle Jack would have the bacon frying in the cast iron skillet to make the best ‘fried taters’ that I have ever had in my life. Mamaw was a pro at that (among many other things.)

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area Frying Taters — My Papaw taking notes from my Great-Grandma on frying taters.

We would often hike to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse or just spend the entire day playing in the river – catching crawdads, minnows or just floating up and down the river in our inflatable boat until our lips turned blue.

Now Metcalf has easily become one of our favorite summer places to take our kids. It doesn’t take much to persuade us to hop in the car and head to Metcalf for the evening.

While things are a little different now, we still enjoy some of those same things with our family and friends – playing in the river, picnicking, hiking to the schoolhouse, etc.

Now if only I can master ‘frying taters’ like my Mamaw, then we will be set!

History of the Little Greenbrier Area

The Little Greenbrier Community is most commonly known for Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Little Greenbrier School house, and the Walker Sisters Place.

When the Great Smoky Mountains became a National Park, most families had to leave their mountain homes. The Walker Sisters had a lifetime lease on their property which allowed them to continue living in the Smoky Mountains.

I remember my Great Grandma talking about visiting the Walker Sisters. She always said they had the best apples she had ever eaten.

Metcalf bottoms Walker Sisters — My Great Grandma with one of the Walker Sisters

Here is a great book to read more about the Walker Sisters and their story:

The Walker Sisters: Spirited Women of the Smokies

Find more books about the Great Smoky Mountains here.

5 Things To Do at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

You can easily spend a whole day at Metcalf Bottoms enjoying all this beautiful area has to offer. Here are some ideas for your next visit:

1. Have a Picnic

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the many table areas. If you get there at a less crowded time, be sure to snag a table by the river!

Plan ahead and bring hamburgers, hot dogs, and fry some taters over the stove on a cast iron skillet. Or for a quick and easier option, swing by and pick up a bucket of fried chicken (or some Sub sandwiches for a healthier option) on your way.

Have a picnic at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

2. Play in the River

Bring sand toys, nets and buckets for little ones to play in the river. Or for the older crew, bring your own tubes and let them ride down the river as many times as they want!

And don’t forget your chairs to sit and relax by the river while the kiddos play until their heart is content!

Play in the River at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

3. Hike to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

Throw some tennis shoes or hiking shoes in the car in case you want to trek to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. This hike is short and easy and gives a little peek into the lives of the community that once lived here.

For more info, read all about our hike to the Little Greenbrier schoolhouse here.

Hike to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

4. Hike to Walker Sisters Cabin

If you are up for a little bit of a longer hike, be sure to check out the hike to the Walker Sisters’ Cabin and homestead. This hike will take you past the schoolhouse and deeper into the mountains to see where these sisters live.

To see the Walker Sisters Place you can continue on from the schoolhouse on the Little Brier Gap Trail.

Hike to the Walker Sisters Cabin fromMetcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

5. Disconnect and Relax

Throw up some hammocks or bring your favorite chair to sit and relax and take in all the amazing sounds of nature. Bring a book to read or some card games to play with the family. Since there is no cell phone reception, it is easy to disconnect and enjoy nature.

Take a Hammock to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

Make Family Fun Memories at Metcalf Bottoms!

Metcalf Bottoms is a peaceful place to spend a day relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family. Next time you need to getaway from the hustle and bustle of life, throw in your swimsuit, some snacks and head to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Have you been to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area?

What about you? Have you been to Metcalf Bottoms before? What are your favorite things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains? Be sure to share your comments below!

Abrams Falls – Hike to Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains

By Michelle Fuson Leave a Comment

Looking for an amazing waterfall hike in the Smoky Mountains? Be sure to check out Abrams Falls in the Smokies. This 5 mile roundtrip hike is definitely one to put on your hiking bucket list.

Keep reading for more tips on where to find this beautiful waterfall and a few things you need to know before you head that way!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Abrams Falls Hike – Trail Information

Round Trip Length: 5.0 miles
Trail Location: Cades Cove Loop
Directions: Abrams Falls Trailhead
Trail Features: Waterfall
Round Trip Hours: 3 – 4 hours

The Abrams Falls hike is considered a more moderate hike. The total elevation gain on the hike is about 675 feet.

Abrams Falls Trail - Rocky area descending down — Hiking on Abrams Falls Trail

According to nps.gov, Abrams Falls and the Abrams Creek area is named after a Cherokee chief who lived in the area.

While the waterfall itself is only about 20 feet in height, the sheer volume of water flow coming over this falls make it appear much bigger! Between the sound of the gushing water flowing over the falls to the large pool of water at the base, it is such a beautiful serene place (when not too busy!) and will always be a favorite in the Smoky Mountains!

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

How Do I Get to Abrams Falls?

If you are using your GPS to locate the Abrams Falls Trailhead you can type in Abrams Falls Trailhead, Towsend TN” and this will give you an exact location. However, don’t forget that most areas of the Smoky Mountains typically do not have cell reception, so definitely have a back up plan with directions!

Since this trail is located in the Cades Cove Loop Road, keep in mind that traffic is often heavy at times, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Cades Cove is one of the best scenic drives in the smoky mountains

Also be sure to check the days and times that Cades Cove Loop is open. The loop is closed to motor traffic at certain days and times to allow bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy the loop.

From the Townsend Wye, it is about 7.5 miles on Laurel Creek Road to the entrance of Cades Cove. This road leads straight into the Cades Cove Loop Road.

There is also a visitor pavilion at the entrance that you can stop at and grab a Cades Cove Loop Guide for $1.00 that will tell you more about each stop around the loop.

Once on the Cades Cove Loop, you will see a side road right past Stop #10 that will lead you to the parking area for Abrams Falls Trailhead. It is marked with a sign so it is pretty easy to locate!

Learn More About Cades Cove

Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains is full of rich history of the early settlers in this region. Abrams Falls is one of the many unique things to experience in Cades Cove!

Be sure to read up a little more about what it was like to live in Cades Cove, as it makes visiting this part of the park even more meaningful!

Here are a few of our favorite books about the history of the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains: (While these are usually hard to find online, you can also stop by one of the GSMNP Visitor Centers to pick one of these up!)

Cades Cove (Images of America)

Legends of Cades Cove and the Smokies Beyond

The Cades Cove Story

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Hiking to Abrams Falls!

Locating the Abrams Falls Trailhead

From the parking lot, you will head towards the wooded area to locate the trailhead.

From there you will head to your right and cross your first (of many!) bridges on the trail. There will be a sign at the end of the bridge directing you to your left for Abrams Falls.

Abrams Falls Trail - Cross the Bridge - go Left to Abrams Falls_

From there you are on the right path so you should be good to go!

On the Trail

The first part of the trail is on relatively flat terrain.

Abrams Falls Trail - Relatively Flat First Part

It follows along the river for a while, which is pretty nice for scenery.

Abrams Falls Trail - Walks along the creek

As you start ascending, parts of the trail will become a little more rocky at times. Be sure to take your time and watch your step!

The Abrams Falls Trail also crosses quite a few footbridges along the way. We LOVE footbridges in the Smoky Moutains!

As you get closer to Abram Falls, you will make one last final descent where there are some rather treacherous drop-offs and rocky terrain. Be sure to keep the little ones in sight and take your time.

Abrams Falls Trail - Warning Sign- last descent

You will cross one last final footbridge and by then you should be able to hear the falls if you haven’t already! You made it!

Abrams Falls Trail - Last and Final footbridge

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

At Abrams Falls

Once you arrive at the falls, take your time and enjoy the scenery. Since this is a rather popular hike in the Smokies, there may be people lining up to take pictures at the falls.

Abrams Falls Trail - Bigger View of the Abrams Falls area

We always take a picnic lunch and sit and eat our lunch if we need to wait for people to clear out if it is a busy day. Take your time, be patient and be kind to others. The waterfall isn’t going anywhere!

Over near the base of the falls there is a rock that you can stand on to take a picture near the falls.

(Just remember to be careful as some of the rocks can be very slippery when wet!)

Abrams Falls Trail - Abrams Falls Up Close

There are also warning signs posted that “Climbing on Falls is Hazardous” and to “Stay on Constructed Trail.” There have been many fatal accidents over the years at Abrams Falls, so please be cautious and careful as you visit.

Once you are ready to head back, you will cross over the footbridge and take a right at the sign that is ever so kind to direct you back the correct way to the parking lot.

Abrams Falls Trail - Head back - Abrams Falls Parking Lot Sign

A Few Things To Consider

Although it is a rather popular hike for many first time visitors in the Smokies, the elevation gain on the Abrams Falls Trail can be challenging for some that are not used to hiking in the mountains. Be sure to take your time and let everyone in your group enjoy the journey to Abrams Falls!
While there are not any bathrooms between the beginning of the Cades Cove Loop and the trailhead, there are bathrooms at the parking lot near the trailhead of Abrams Falls. Be sure to stop by the Cades Cove Campground Store bathrooms beforehand if needed as well.

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Final Thoughts

Abrams Falls trail is worth the 5.0 mile (roundtrip) hike to see this captivating waterfall. While it does take some effort to get to Cades Cove Loop at times, it will always be one of the favorite hikes of many visitors when they come to the Great Smoky Mountains!

Have you been to Abrams Falls?

What about you? Have you been to Abrams Falls before? What are your other favorite waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains? Be sure to share your comments below!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

By Michelle Fuson 1 Comment

Looking to visit the beautiful Cumberland Gap National Historical Park?

From the beautiful panoramic views of the mountains, to the rich history of the first settlers (like Daniel Boone!) that paved the way westward, the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a must-see!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Sign

Located just right around the corner from the Great Smoky Mountains, the Cumberland Gap area of the southern Appalachian Mountains has a ton to offer!

Read on to learn a little more about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and things that you can do when visiting!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

How Do I Get to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park?

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located in Middlesboro, Kentucky, just a hop skip and a jump from the Great Smoky Mountains.

A great place to start your visit to Cumberland Gap is the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center.

The physical address for the Visitor Center is: 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965.

A Little History About Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is full of rich history. From the early settlers (like Daniel Boone!) that blazed a trail on Wilderness Road to the unique geology of this region, there is plenty of interesting things to learn about this region.

If you are looking to expand your knowledge about Cumberland Gap or Daniel Boone before you go, here are a few recommended suggestions that you can check out!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (Images of America)

Harrogate and Cumberland Gap

Who Was Daniel Boone?

Daniel Boone’s Own Story & The Adventures of Daniel Boone

Boone: A Biography

Get a Map of Cumberland Gap

With most parks you can access a map beforehand on their website to begin familiarizing yourself with the area. Head over to nps.gov to download a map of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

Of course there is nothing like holding a map in your hand, so be sure to grab one at the visitor center when you get there as well.

Drive Through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel

Right inside the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park is a 0.9 mile tunnel that you can drive through. The Cumberland Gap Tunnel is located on Highway 25E and is a really neat experience.

Be sure to drive through it at some point during your visit. It was definitely the longest tunnel we have ever been in and we were all really impressed by it!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Tunnel

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center

As with most park visits, the visitor center is always a great place to start. You can stop by and talk to a Park Ranger, ask about the best things to do, as well as get more familiar with the area.

Take a Picture at the Park Sign

But first things first – don’t forget to take a picture at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park sign to document your trip!

As soon as you arrive at the main visitor center parking lot, you can’t miss it. Whether you do it before or after you go into the visitor center, just be sure to stop by and take a picture before you leave the main visitor center parking area.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Family Picture

Check out the Informational Signs

There are some great informational signs posted outside the visitor center (near the bathrooms) that will give you a great overview of the area as well as popular things to do while you are there.

Also out in front of the visitor center entrance, you can find more interesting history about the Cumberland Gap area in a mural on the side of the building, as well as a canon from the civil war era.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center

Get a Souvenir at the Gift Shop

As with any National Park gift shop, this is a great place to grab some souvenirs to remember your adventures! They had some great books about Cumberland Gap, Daniel Boone and the surrounding areas as well.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Bookstore

This is also where you can get a stamp for your National Park Passport book.

Also, be sure to find our bear friend that is hanging out in the gift shop and say hello!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Bear Friend

Watch the Cumberland Gap Video

Most visitor centers also have a little film or video that you can typically watch when you visit. However, due to COVID, the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center wasn’t playing any videos the day that we were there.

HOWEVER…you can watch it online before you head that way! Easy peasy!

Explore the Grounds

Be sure to take a few minutes to walk around the grounds of the main visitor center. There is a cabin and little homestead that is right next to the visitor center.

There are also a few little trails that you can walk around.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Area

Have a Picnic

Across the parking lot from the visitor’s center is a path with some picnic tables in the shade. This was a perfect place for us to stop and have our lunch that we packed before we headed out for our day’s adventures at Cumberland Gap!

Drive to the Cumberland Gap Pinnacle Overlook

Once you are ready to explore a little more, take a drive up to Pinnacle Overlook. As you follow the windy road to the top, you will end at the parking area where you can hop out and take in some magnificent views of the region!

Hike out to the Pinnacle Overlook

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Pinnacle Overlook

From the Pinnacle Overlook building, it is only 200 yards to the overlook and is an elevation of 2440 ft.

There are actually two paths to get to the overlook. One near the building and then another walkway near the parking area. Take your pick!

They are both a super short trek. We chose to take the lower path out to the overlook.

Walking along the lower pathway to the pinnacle, you will come across a few informational signs along the way. One even informed us that we were now in Virginia!

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Info Sign

Right before you get to the overlook, you will also see some really interesting geological formations on your left.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Walkway

Then you will head on out to take in your views of the beautiful surrounding areas of the Cumberland Gap area.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Pinnacle Overlook Walking Out

Looking out at Pinnacle Overlook at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

View at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

After you have had some time to take in the views, be sure to head back the other way (up the hill) to see the Virginia/Kentucky state line that is painted on the pavement.

State Lines at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

That was a fun visual to stand in two different states at one time!

Visit Civil War Forts along the way on Pinnacle Road

As you head back down the mountain, there is also a short trail that will lead you to the site of what was originally a fort from the Civil War.

Forts at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

There really isn’t much to see, but if you want to get out and stretch your legs a little more, hike up a bajillion steps, and read some more interesting historical signs then that’s a good place to do that!

Oh, and there is also another canon up there, too.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Cannon

Hike to the Iron Furnace

Our next stop was over to see the Iron Furnace near Gap Creek. This is the site where an iron smelting business existed from the early 1820’s – 1880’s.

The Tennessee Road Trail trailhead starts right next to the parking lot right across the street from the little Cumberland Gap town.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Tennessee Road Trail

From there you can also hike to the Tri-State Peak (2.4 miles roundtrip) and stand in all three states at one time!

We didn’t have time that day, so we just took a little stroll along the creek and hiked to the Iron Furnace.

Iron Furnace at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

It was fun to walk around and explore and read more about the history of the Iron Furnace and the Cumberland Gap area during that time.

View of Iron Furnace atCumberland Gap National Historical Park

If time allows, this is also a great place to let the kids play and splash in the water. There were several families out enjoying the water while we were there.

Visit the Daniel Boone Visitor Information Center

Another quick stop was at the Daniel Boone visitor information center. It wasn’t open that day due to COVID and minimal staffing, but it was a great place to read more about the Cumberland Gap area and how Daniel Boone played a huge role in the development of the Wilderness Road.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Daniel Boone Visitor Center

Plus there were some really fun metal silhouettes of Daniel Boone and some early settlers traveling on Wilderness Road.

Daniel Boone Visitor Center at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Maggie rounded up some buffalo while she was there, too.

Buffalo at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

You can also hike on up the hill and walk on Wilderness Road from this area.

Take a Cumberland Gap Tour

Although we didn’t get to visit Gap Cave or the Hensley Settlement (they weren’t doing tours at the time of our visit), these are definitely things on our list to do when life returns to normal.

Hensley Settlement Tour

The Hensley Settlement Tour takes you to the historic homestead from the early 1900’s of the Gibbons and Hensley families. It a 1 mile hike to the settlement and takes about 3.5 hours for the tour.

Gap Cave Tour

The Gap Cave Tour takes you through the underground adventure of Gap Cave. This one mile tour of the cave takes about 2 hours and includes 183 steps. We love caves, so we hope to go back and do this one day!

Extra Hiking Options at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

With over 85 miles of hiking trails throughout Cumberland Gap, there are plenty of ways to see the park. Whether an avid hiker or just a beginner, there are many ways to see the beauty that this region offers!

There are some great Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Day Hike options that can be accessed on the National Park Service Website. Be sure to plan ahead and wear appropriate clothing and shoes to make the best of your hiking experience in Cumberland Gap.

Hiking Sign at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Although we didn’t get to do any of the hikes listed that go around, we have definitely added these two for our next visit:

Tri-State Peak Hike

From the Tennessee Road Trail (where the Iron Furnace was) is also the trailhead for the hike to Tri-State Peak. The hike is 1.2 miles one way (2.4 roundtrip) and is where you can stand in all three states at one time! (Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia)

White Rocks and Sand Cave

From Civic Park to Sand Cave, it is about 4 miles (8 miles roundtrip.) The pictures of Sand Cave are absolutely beautiful!

Along the way you can also take a slight detour and stop by White Rocks. It is located at the eastern tip of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park on the top of Cumberland Mountain.

Final Thoughts on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

From the beautiful panoramic views of the mountains, to the fascinating history of the first settlers that paved the way westward, the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a great place to spend a few days exploring as a family!

We absolutely loved visiting the area and think it is a great place to make more memories together as a family as you explore the area that opened up the gateway to westward expansion!

So have you ever been to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park before? What was your favorite part of the park?

And if you are looking for more parks to visit in Kentucky or Virginia, be sure to check out our visits to Wilderness Road State Park in Virginia or Mammoth Cave National Park and the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace in Kentucky.

Visit Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove

By Michelle Fuson 3 Comments

Looking for a super short and family friendly hike (or stroll?) in the Great Smoky Mountains? This half mile (round trip!) hike to the John Oliver Cabin is a great trail to stretch your legs and take in a little history of the Cades Cove area without much effort!

Read on to learn more about visiting the John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove and what to expect before you head that way!

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John Oliver Cabin Trail Information

Round Trip Length: 0.5 miles
Trail Location: Cades Cove Loop
Directions: John Oliver Parking Area in Cades Cove Loop
Trail Features: Historic cabin, Scenic Views
Round Trip Hours: 15-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

A round trip hike to and from the John Oliver Cabin usually takes us about 15-25 minutes. While the hike to the cabin only takes about 5-6 minutes (one way), we try to allot plenty of time for exploring and taking in the surrounding views!

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family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Learn More About Cades Cove

Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains is full of rich history of the early settlers in this region. John Oliver was noted as the first white settler in the Cades Cove area.

Be sure to read up a little more about what it was like to live in Cades Cove, as it makes visiting this part of the park even more meaningful! Here are a few of our favorite books about the history of the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains: