Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls
Follow Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap and across the Kentucky coalfields to the great falls of the Cumberland River.
- Distance
- 230 km (143 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 33 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- TN, KY
- Updated
- July 1, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 230 km (143 mi) with 7 stops, from Knoxville to Somerset. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Tennessee, Kentucky · More road trips from Gatlinburg
Route description
From Knoxville take TN-33 north through Maynardville and US-25E to the small town of Cumberland Gap, about 1 hour 30 minutes. The town sits at the foot of the gap, with a historic main street and the start of trails to the Iron Furnace. US-25E then passes through the twin Cumberland Gap Tunnels, which opened in 1996, into Kentucky.
The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitor center lies just north of the tunnels. From there a narrow and winding road climbs to the Pinnacle Overlook, with a view of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia; vehicles longer than 20 feet (6 m) and trailers are not allowed. The park has a campground at Wilderness Road, and in summer rangers lead tours of the Hensley Settlement, a remote mountain farm.
Middlesboro was built inside a meteorite crater, one of the few towns in the world where this is true. From Middlesboro take US-25E north through Pineville to Corbin, about 1 hour. Pine Mountain State Resort Park, near Pineville, was Kentucky’s first state park.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is about 30 km south-west of Corbin on KY-90. The falls are best after rain, and on clear nights around the full moon you may see a moonbow. The park has a lodge, cabins and a campground, and rafting trips run on the river below the falls in summer. Continue west on KY-90 and US-27 to Somerset on Lake Cumberland.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Knoxville
TN - 289 km
Cumberland Gap
TN - 33 km
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
HistoryMiddlesboro, KYThe mountain pass used by Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Road, where Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia meet. From the visitor center a winding road climbs to the Pinnacle Overlook; vehicles over 20 feet (6 m) are not allowed on it.
- 43 km
Middlesboro
KY - 561 km
Corbin
KY - 630 km
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
NatureCorbin, KYA 38 m wide curtain of water on the Cumberland River, one of the few places in the world to see a moonbow on clear nights around the full moon. Free parking by the falls.
- 744 km
Somerset
KY
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Knoxville → Cumberland Gap · 55 mi · 0 h 59 minOvernight nearby, for example: Wilderness Road Campground (2 mi); Rock Bottom Horse Camp (13 mi).
- Day 2: Cumberland Gap → Corbin · 41 mi · 0 h 44 minOn the way: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro.Overnight nearby, for example: Thompson Park (13 mi); KOA Journey (2 mi).
- Day 3: Corbin → Somerset · 46 mi · 0 h 49 minOn the way: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Somerset KY RV Park (5 mi); Bee Rock Campground (16 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Themes
FAQs
How long is Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?
3-day road trip of about 230 km (143 mi) with 7 stops, from Knoxville to Somerset. About 2 h 33 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 33 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls start and end?
It starts in Knoxville and ends in Somerset.
Which states does Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls pass through?
Tennessee and Kentucky.
Where can you camp along Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?
OpenStreetMap lists 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Low Meadow Farms, Knoxville Campground and Thompson Park.
When is the best time for Cumberland Gap and the moonbow at Cumberland Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
