Timeline
Heritage
The Road
Rt 58
Daniel Boone Trail
Lee County, VA -
Phone:
Website:
click here
Hours of Operation:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Historical Significance
The view from the Pinnacle Overlook provides a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, the Cumberland Gap, and the historic Wilderness Road. The states of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee are all visible from the overlook which can be accessed via the Skyland Road near the park's main visitor center.
Pinnacle Overlook Today
The first great gateway to the west, Cumberland Gap is a mountain pass that was used by wildlife, Native Indian tribes, and later by settlers moving west.
Daniel Boone was hired to blaze a trail beginning in Southwest Virginia through Cumberland Gap known as the Wilderness Road. It became the route westward for pioneers who travelled west through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Both the North and the South vied for control of the Cumberland Gap during the Civil war.
Today the park consists of approximately 20,000 acres and 70 miles of hiking trails. There are numerous scenic and historic features in the park and ranger led programs are offered throughout the year including tours of Gap Cave and the historic Hensley Settlement.
