Permits

Hikers enjoy the backcountry

NPS Photo

Backcountry Camping
Five backcountry campsites are located in the park and require a backcountry use permit, which must be picked up in person at the visitor center. Backcountry permits are free of charge.

Backcountry campsites can be reserved up to three months in advance by calling the park visitor center at [phone].


Camping - Group Sites
$35.00 - Day

Group camping is available with reservations.

Group campsites can be reserved up to three months in advance by calling [phone].

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Special Use Permits
Special Use Permits are required by the National Park Service to assure that parks remain unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Any activities that would cause damage to park resources cannot be allowed.

Providing opportunities for appropriate public enjoyment is an important part of the National Park Service mission. Approval of special uses of the park—unrelated to public enjoyment—may be allowed if not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation. However, the National Park Service can only allow uses that are:

1. appropriate to the purpose for which the park was established, and
2. can be sustained without causing unacceptable impacts.

A special park use is defined as an activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

• provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
• requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• is not prohibited by law or regulation;
• is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service; and
• is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

The following activities may require a Special Use Permit at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park:

• Weddings and Vow Renewals: Plan your special day in the park.
• First Amendment Activities: Political events, public assemblies, demonstrations, the distribution of literature, and other similar activities.
• Commercial Film/Still Photography: Learn about guidelines and requirements.
• Sporting or Special Events

Completed applications, along with a non-refundable $200.00 application fee, must be received by the park no less than 45 days prior to the start of the event. The fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and must be submitted with the application in the form of check or money order made payable to the "National Park Service". Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, may also apply.

You will receive a response regarding your application within two weeks of receipt.

For more information regarding Special Use Permits, or if you have any question as to whether or not one is required for your activity, please call [phone], or email - with "Special Use Permits" as the subject.