Camping Regulations

 

General Camping Regulations

General camping regulations apply to all camping.

Resource Protection

The following activities are prohibited within Cumberland Gap National Historical Park:

• Digging, trenching, or leveling ground at your campsite.
• Chopping, cutting, sawing or driving nails into standing trees.
• Using mechanized saws in the park.
• Defacing or carving into trees, signs, shelters, or other park features.
• Disturbing, killing or hunting any wildlife, including snakes.

Please note: All plants and animals in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park are protected. Collection of any portion of a plant is prohibited unless specifically authorized by regulation or Superintendent's Compendium.

Fire

• Only create fire in established fire rings.
• Do not burn trash in the fire rings.
• Transport of firewood into the park is prohibited unless is it sourced from Lee County, Virginia or it is USDA certified. You may also utilize any dead or downed wood inside the campground or purchase wood from the campground entrance station. Store hours vary with season, check bulletin board at entrance station for current hours.

Firewood in violation of the above shall be burned immediately by the camper in established fire rings. Failure to comply with this action may result in citation and/or seizure of the firewood.

Pets

• Always keep pets on a leash 6 ft. or shorter.
• Dispose of pet waste in garbage. Do not litter.
• Do not leave pets unattended at a campsite.

Firearms

• On February 22, 2010, a new federal law went into effect that makes state and local laws applicable to carrying and possession of firearms inside the park. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park resides within three states, KY, TN, and VA. Due to this, the firearms policy varies depending on which area of the park you are visiting. It is the responsibility of the visitor to know and follow the firearms laws applicable to the state they are visiting.
• Weapons of any kind are prohibited in all federal facilities, on all cave tours, and on the park's tour buses.
• Other weapons capable of destruction, such as fireworks, bows, air rifles, blowguns and slingshots, are prohibited in the park.

Alcohol

• Alcohol is permitted only in campgrounds and picnic areas, provided the person in possession is at least 21 years old.
  

Frontcountry Camping Regulations

In addition to general camping regulations, the following apply to all frontcountry camping areas.

Check-in/Check-out

• Check-out time is before Noon.
• Check-in time is after 2 pm.
• If you do not have a reservation and arrive after the entrance station closes, please go on-line to Recreation.gov to reserve an available site. Please do not setup on a site without making a reservation. You may be relocated the next day if your site is already reserved for the following night. Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive nights.

General

• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Generators are permitted during non-quiet hours as long as they are properly muffled and do not create unreasonable noise.
• Carry a flashlight or lantern when walking after dark to watch for tripping hazards and snakes.
• Mark your campsite when you leave so others know it is occupied. Be aware though that articles left unattended on an unpaid campsite for 24 hours may be impounded.
• When your stay is over, please check that you haven’t left personal possessions behind.

Waste, Water, and Food

• When food is not being prepared or eaten, it must be stored inside a vehicle or bear box to prevent wildlife access to human food. Do not feed or play with wildlife. Wild animals that become dependent on human handouts may lose their ability to forage independently when campers disappear in the "off-season."
• Potable water spickets can be found near each comfort station. Please make sure the spickets are shutoff when you are finished using.
• A dump station is available to dispose of your grey and black water when arriving and before leaving.
• Washing dishes or clothing inside the comfort stations is prohibited.

Rules of the Road

• Obey the 15-mph speed limit and the stop signs in the campgrounds. Watch for children at play.
• Parking on the grass is prohibited. Overflow parking is located at the campground entrance station or at the 0-4 shelter when not in use.
• Overnight camping is not permitted in parking lots, overlooks, or along roadsides in the park.
• Mini-bikes, mopeds, and motorcycles are permitted only on improved roads.
• Golf carts are prohibited. Roller skating and skateboarding or not allowed.

Backcountry Camping Regulations

In addition to general camping regulations, the following apply to backcountry camping activities.

• Permits are required for all Backcountry camping. Permits are free but must be picked up in person the day before or the day of camping. Camping duration may not exceed 14 days.
• Permits for the Backcountry campsites can be reserved in person at the Visitor Center or by phone by calling [phone].
• Campsite capacities: Gibson Gap-12 person max, Hensley Camp– 20 persons max, Martins Fork- 25 persons max, Chadwell Gap- 12 persons max, White Rocks- 12 persons max
• Camping is permitted only at designated backcountry campsites. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park offers five backcountry sites. Each site is equipped with bear cables and a fire ring. Campfires are only permitted in established rings.
• A seasonal water spicket can be found at the eastern end of the Hensley settlement. Seasonal springs can be found throughout the park. Boil and treat water before drinking or carry in your own drinking water.
• No hunting is allowed anywhere in the park.
• Alcohol is only permitted at camp.
• Pack out what you pack in.

Backcountry Camping Regulations for Camping with Horses

In addition to general camping and backcountry camping, the following apply for individuals camping with horses.

• Campsite capacities: Gibson Gap- 6 horses, Hensley Camp- 20 horses, Martins Fork-20 horses, White Rocks- 8 horses. Chadwell Gap campsite does not accommodate horses.
• Horses must be tied to hitch posts at backcountry locations where they are provided. In backcountry campsites or any backcountry areas with no hitch posts, or if these are full, horses should be high lined. To prevent bark damage and to avoid trampling of root systems, do not tie horses directly to trees. Hobbled horses are prone to pawing.
• Horses are not permitted within the boundaries of Hensley Settlement. Horses are also not permitted within the Historic Gap. Please consult our trail riding map for other prohibited areas.
• Parking: Horse trailers may be parked in the paved parking area at the Colson Trailhead near Wilderness Road Campground or in the gravel parking area at the Chadwell Gap trailhead.
• Dismount and lead horses over all bridge crossings.
• Alcohol is prohibited while riding.
• Feed with a nose bag or a ground cloth to discourage wild animals. Dry feed before your trip with weed free grain or processed pellets to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Any leftover feed should be packed out.

Leave No Trace Seven Principles (U.S. National Park Service)