The town of Cumberland Gap is famous in American colonial history as a vital passageway through the lower Appalachian mountains. The town was a natural opening in the rugged land, making it the perfect passage for Native Americans and for wild buffalo to wander towards superior grazing lands. Daniel Boone is one of the most illustrious names in Cumberland Gap history, having blazed the 200-mile trail we now know as the Wilderness Road. Many traveled this trail after Boone, including Abraham Lincoln’s grandparents and parents.

The Gap was not without its battles—history saw countless bloody skirmishes between the Natives and the settlers in the beginning years. Later, the North and South forces held the Gap during the Civil War.

Today, we know Cumberland Gap as a unique town in the midst of peaceful mountains and a rich history. These mountains are now shared by three states— Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. If you were thinking this, you’re right: you can stand in all states at once at the Tri-State Peak. But one of our favorite attractions is the Pinnacle Overlook, with with a birds-eye view of the three states and plenty of room for a picnic under the mountain sun.