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Attractions
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Location: 91 Bartlett Park Rd / Middlesboro, KY 40965
Phone: 606-248-2817
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Come visit one of the premier national parks in the entire country in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. You can walk in the footsteps of Daniel Boone and America’s first pioneers who discovered the first gateway to the west. The park offers over 85 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding opportunities, as well as back-country camping. Make sure to check out the Visitors Center just outside of Middlesboro, KY on Highway 25E. Also, the park has some fantastic points of interest, including the Pinnacle Overlook, the Tri-State marker, Gap Cave (tour information on park website), and Hensley Settlement (tour information on park website).
Photo by Harold Jarrell
Hensley Settlement
Location: 91 Bartlett Park Rd / Middlesboro, KY 40965
Phone: 606-248-2817
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Ever want to take a step back in time and see what life was like in the early pioneer days in Appalachia? A trip to historic Hensley Settlement allows you to do just that. This old mountain settlement sits atop Brush Mountain at an elevation of 3,000+ feet. It once housed multiple families and over 200 residents. Cabins, barns, and even a school house are still located on the settlement and the Cumberland Gap National Park has schedule tours for your convenience. The 2016 tour schedule is as follows:
Prices
Adults- $10.00
Visitors with Golden Age, Interagency Senior Pass or Access Pass - $5.00
Children under the age of 12 - $5.00
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May 15 - October 31 (No shuttle offered August 13- 14)
Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
Depart 12:30 pm; return 4:30 pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Depart 9:00 am; return 1:00 pm
Pinnacle Overlook
Phone: 606-248-2817
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Description: The Pinnacle Overlook boasts one of the most breath-taking, spectacular views in all of Appalachia. Located just a few miles from the visitor center, you can follow the signs up a windy black top road to the top of the Cumberland Mountain. At the top you will reach a parking lot, and just a few steps away from the parking area you follow a short path to the overlook pavilion, where can stare in amazement at the very best scenery that Appalachia has to offer. Views into all three states (KY, TN, and VA) can be seen from this overlook. Not far from the overlook is the Three-State marker, where you can stand in all three states at one time.
Gap Cave
Location: 91 Bartlett Park Rd / Middlesboro, KY 40965
Phone: 606-248-2817
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
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After years of being closed to the public, the National Park has began to give guided tours of the famous Gap Cave (also known in the past as Cujo’s Cave). This is one of the most unique attractions in the entire area, and it’s a great activity to check out in the summertime since the cave stays nice and cool.
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Join park rangers on an exciting two-hour adventure exploring this majestic underground cathedral! Discover glistening stalagmites and flowstone cascades. You might even catch a glimpse of a bat or salamander.
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September 1 - September 30: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10 a.m.
How to participate in a Gap Cave Tour:
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REQUIRED! Make a reservation, by noon the day before desired tour date
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Come to visitor center and pay for your tour at least 30 minutes before your tour starts
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Meet at Daniel Boone Parking and Exhibit Area at least 15 minutes before your tour starts
Pine Mountain State Park Lodge
Location: 1050 State Park Rd / Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-3066
Website: http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/
Kentucky’s first state park is a hidden gem in the Commonwealth. Located just south of Pineville, KY, the park has over 15 miles of some of the finest hiking trails in all of Appalachia including favorites like Hemlock Garden Trail, Honeymoon Falls Trail, Chain Rock Trail, and much more. The park has an adjacent 18-hole golf course in Wasioto Winds, a lodge with both rooms and cabins for rent, and a brand new zip line and canopy tour (see below). Visitors can also enjoy many fantastic overlooks, including the famed Chain Rock Overlook that overlooks Pineville.
Chain Rock
Phone: (606) 337-3066
Website: http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/
Chain Rock is a unique point of interest that sits within Pine Mountain State Resort Park. From the parking lot at the top of Pine Mountain, it is a short hike to the Chain Rock overlook. There, legend has it, the chain was put between two large boulders to keep them from falling onto the town of Pineville.
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Honeymoon Falls
Phone: (606) 337-3066
Website: http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/
Honeymoon Falls is one of the most serene places in all of Appalachia. It consists of two twin waterfalls on either side of the Honeymoon Trail. There is a new staircase that leads up the trail. It is one of the must-see sights within Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
Wasioto Winds Golf Course (18 Hole)
Click here for location
Phone: 1-800-814-8002
Website: http://parks.ky.gov/golf/18_hole/pine-mountain/
Description: This 18-hole golf course is nestled in shadows of Pine Mountain and offers one of the most spectacular back drops for a game of golf that you can find anywhere in the nation. This eighteen-hole course includes five par 3 holes and five par 5s. True to its links nature, the course is relatively flat, with water coming into play from three lakes, a creek and several wetlands areas. Six arching bridges span the water throughout the course. Other course features include wide car paths, a practice range, and two practice putting greens.
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Middlesboro Country Club (9 Hole)
Location: 155 Country Club Ln / Middlesboro, KY 40965
Phone: (606) 248-7435
Website: www.middlesborocountryclub.com
Middlesboro is home to the oldest continually played golf course in America. It was founded in 1889, the same year as the town, as a way for the English investors and businessmen who were settling in the area to have some recreation. Nestled inside a beautiful circular valley, the golf course was proven to be the center of impact for the meteor that created the unique valley that the city of Middlesboro sits in. The golf course hosts several golf scrambles and events throughout the year, make sure to check out their website for details.
Cannon Creek Lake
Click Here For Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 248-2482
Website: www.bellcountytourism.com
Description: This 250-acre impoundment in central Bell County is a phenomenal fishery for largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky bass as well as trout, bluegill, crappie and catfish. There are no gas-powered motors allowed on the lake, making it ideal for kayakers. There is access to a boat ramp on Cannon Creek Rd which is located in the Meldrum Community, with access from Old Pineville Pike.
Cumberland River
Click Here For Hwy 119/Hwy 987 Take Out
Click Here For Hwy 2014 Take Out
Phone: (606) 248-2482
Website: www.bellcountytourism.com
Description: The Cumberland River offers opportunities for both kayakers and canoers as well as anglers. Healthy populations of quality smallmouth bass exist, as well as largemouth and Kentucky bass, bluegill, walleye, and catfish. There are currently two-take outs (one under the Wilderness Trail-Off Road Park entrance bridge) which can be accessed at the Hwy 119/Hwy 987 intersection, and another near the Bell County Fairgrounds on Hwy 2014. We are currently working on finding new access points and potential take outs, so stay tuned!
Bell County Historical Society
Click Here For Location Map
Phone: (606) 242-0005
Website: www.bellcountyhistorical.com
Description: The Bell County Historical Society is located right beside the Middlesboro Post Office on 20th St. It houses many artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the county’s history including the Middlesboro meteor crash, coal mining, Indian artifacts, and much more! Hours and info are on website.
SkateWorld
Click Here For Location Map
Phone: (606) 248-0219
Website: http://skateworldky.com/
Description: Skateworld is located on Cumberland Avenue in Middlesboro, KY. This iconic Middlesboro establishment has been around for decades. Skateworld accommodates parties and church groups as well as individual skaters as well. There is also a pro shop within the facility as well. Check the website for prices, hours, and more info!
Hillcrest Lanes Bowling And More (Harrogate, TN)
Click Here For Location Map
Phone: (423) 869-4120
Website: https://www.facebook.com/HillcrestLanesBowlingCenter/
Description: We have 20 Lanes of Bowling, League Bowling, Pool Tables & Arcade Game Room. We have discounted information for Birthday Parties & Church Groups. Also, if interested in joining and/or being part of a bowling league team, call or come by and see Sherry, James, Joe or Tommy.
RC Arena
1620 Dorchester Ave / Middlesboro, KY 40965
Phone:(606) 269-4557
Website: RC Arena | Middlesboro KY | Facebook
Description: Just opened in 2022, this amazing indoor RC car dirt track features competitive races all year long! Check out the Facebook page linked above for their schedule. For more info, email them at rcarenaky@gmail.com
Golden Ticket Cinema Movie Theater
Click Here For Location Map
Phone: (606) 248-0426
Website: Middlesboro 4 - Golden Ticket Cinemas - Ticketing, Concessions, Gift Cards, Rewards (gtcinemas.com)
Description: Golden Ticket visitors a four cinema theater in the Middlesboro Mall. Located just beside HeHuDarz. Visit website for movies currently playing, showtimes, etc.
Bell Theater
Click Here For Location Map
Phone: 606-499-0660 or 606-337-2958
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Bell-Theater-125134245078/
Description: The newly renovated Bell Theater in Pineville features events of all kinds, from movies to plays to concerts. For upcoming events, please check their Facebook page linked above.
Wildlife Management Areas
Check out the interactive map of the Wildlife Management Areas below.
Corrigan Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 269-8164
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/CorriganWMA_ALL.pdf
Description: With over 54,000 acres (the largest parcel of which being a 34,000-acre tract adjacent to Middlesboro), Corrigan Wildlife Management Area offers hunters and anglers the opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful pieces of land in Appalachia. On Corrigan WMA, you can enjoy both the remoteness of a vast tract of quintessential Appalachian wilderness while being right beside the city of Middlesboro where you can access lodging, restaurants, shopping, and much more. With hundreds of miles of trails that contain countless breath-taking views of Middlesboro and the Cumberland Gap, as well as hunting opportunities for elk (special restrictions apply, see KDFW website), deer, turkey, grouse, quail, black bear (special restrictions apply, see KDFW website) and much more as well as fishing opportunities in ponds throughout the property as well as nearby Cannon Creek Lake, Corrigan WMA offers outdoor lovers a vast paradise of recreation and solitude while being right beside the city of Middlesboro.
Shillalah Creek Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For Fishing Access Location Map
Click Here For WMA Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 337-9317
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/ShilalahCreekWMA_ALL.pdf
Description: This 2,500-acre wildlife management area not only has great hunting opportunities for white-tail deer, turkey, grouse, black bear (special restrictions apply – see KDFW website for details), and much more. However, the most notable aspect of Shillalah Creek WMA is that it hosts one of only two streams in Kentucky where one can fish for native brook trout. It is also home to great hiking trails, as well as the beautiful Shillalah Falls.
Kentucky Ridge State Forest / Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For Access Location Map
Phone: (502)-564-4496
Website: http://forestry.ky.gov/Kentuckysstateforests/Pages/KentuckyRidgeStateForest.aspx
Description: This 15,000-acre jewel is located in central Bell County between the cities of Pineville and Middlesboro. It is bordered by Corrigan Wildlife Management area on its southern border. It is dually managed by the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is open to not only hunting and fishing, but also horseback riding and primitive camping.
Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 269-8164
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/BooneForestlandsWMA_ALL.pdf
Description: This 30,000 plus acre tract of public hunting land is one of the most likely areas in the entire state to see an elk herd, and some Boone & Crockett elk have been taken from this particular tract. The area consists mainly of reclaimed strip land. The tops are largely open, with vast fields that resemble someplace in Montana rather than Kentucky, and rugged, steep timbered land comprising the mountain slopes. Other wildlife such as black bear, turkey, white tail deer, quail, and grouse can be found on the property.
Fortner Davis Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For WMA Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 269-8164
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/Fortner-DavisWMA_ALL.pdf
Description: This tract of land is approximately 1,500 acres that rests on the northern edge of Cannon Creek Lake. It adjoins the Corrigan Wildlife Management Area. There is a gravel road that runs through the center of it, however the gate for access is locked most of the time, so access is by foot only.
Asher Hunter Access Area
Click Here For Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 269-8164
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/AsherHuntingAcccessArea_ALL.pdf
Description: This 8,000 acre plus parcel of land lies in northern Bell County and is bordered by the Boone Forestlands WMA. Wildlife is abundant throughout the property, with elk being regularly seen. This piece of land is one of the most likely places in Bell County to witness an elk herd. Great hunting for whitetail deer, turkey, black bear (special regulations apply), grouse, quail, rabbit, and much more exist. Unlike other Wildlife Management Area, Asher Hunter Access Area allows for more reasonable access possibilities. ATV and horseback riding is allowed for hunting access here.
Elk Forest Wildlife Management Area
Click Here For WMA Access Location Map
Phone: (606) 269-8164
Website: http://fw.ky.gov/More/Documents/ElkForestWMA_ALL.pdf
Description: This WMA lies in Bell, Harlan, Leslie, and Clay counties and is over 16,000 acres of great public hunting. As the name suggests, this WMA is known to have large populations of elk within its boundaries. It is located in a remote section of northern Bell County before crossing into neihboring counties.