This was Kentucky’s first state park, and it came into existence in 1924. Located near Pineville, this is one of Kentucky’s most scenic parks, and is also one of its most modern. The Wilderness Road borders on the park, which was one of the most significant arteries of pioneer travel in the late 18th century. The 2,500 acre park is 36 miles southeast of Corbin (off Interstate 75) on US 25E at Pineville in Bell County. The park features 36 primitive camping sites, in addition to indoor lodgings. Nine miles of hiking trails can be found at the park also. The park is open from April 1 to October 31. There are no advance registrations for the primitive camping sites, and showers and rest rooms are provided. Sites are rented on a first-come basis.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park features 10 trails which range in difficulty from easy to difficult. The longest trail in the park is 1.75 miles, and is called the Laurel Cove Trail. Several trails can be hiked both ways to increase their length, and to a small extent, trails can be put together to make longer trails. Points of interest along the trails include Chained Rock, a precariously balanced rock over the city of Pineville chained in place to prevent it from falling in the 1930’s, Honeymoon Falls, Rock Hotel, and Laurel Cove. The trails are open year-round.

http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/default.aspx
Phone: (606) 337-3066
Address: 1050 State Park Road, Pineville, KY 40977

[tb_google_map address=”1050 State Park Road, Pineville, KY 40977″]

Cumberland Gap National Park is one of the most scenic parks in Kentucky. Its 24,000 acres lies in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The park consists of precipitous mountains clothed with dense deciduous hardwood forests. The park is open year-round.

For Scouts, the Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail is the largest highlight of the park. The ~20 mile long Mischa Mokwa is composed of three trails: the Gibson Gap Trail, the Ridge Trail, and the Ewing Trail. The Wilderness Road Campground offers a place to base-camp. Backcountry camping on top of the ridge is only permitted in the designated primitive sites. A free permit from the ranger station is required to camp in the backcountry. Patches for the trail are also available at the ranger station.

http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Phone: (606) 248-2817
Address: 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965

[tb_google_map address=”Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, KY”]