The Cumberland Gap region spans 20,508 acres across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia with over 85 miles of hiking trails through mixed hardwood forests. The area ranges from 1,100 to 3,500 feet in elevation with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Cherokee Lake and Clinch River provide water recreation opportunities with boat-in access available at several campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Big Ridge State Park Campground offers trails varying from easy to moderate difficulty. "I've stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail. I've also finished the trip by hiking the loop back out by continuing on Dark Hollow to Big Valley Trail, to Ghost House Trail and back to Lake Trail (5.3 miles total)," notes a camper.
Water activities: At Powell Valley Resort & Marina, water recreation takes center stage. "Great food as well. Cornhole boards on the dock outside of the restaurant area, trivia nights on Thursdays. Campground is being upgraded in stages but is clean and family-friendly. The marina also has a number of rental pontoons available," according to a recent visitor.
Historical exploration: Near Alum Ford Campground, campers can visit mining villages and historical sites. "Take a steam train ride around the ridge tops, or wet your line in the streams. There is plenty to do here," mentions one reviewer who enjoyed the historical aspects of the area.
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Anderson County Park provides year-round camping with water views. "Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake," reports a camper who visited during the Thanksgiving holiday, noting that while other campgrounds close seasonally, this one remains open with full facilities.
Clean facilities: Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park Campground maintains good amenities for campers. "Great option for young families. Many activities at the park and it is also close to the birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have nice sites for larger campers and some for small units that are more shaded," explains a reviewer who appreciated the family-oriented environment.
Unique accommodations: Luxury glamping in Cumberland Gap continues to expand with multiple options across the region. "Open May-September, this property is located on Cherokee Lake. There are four glamping tents (two with king beds and two with queen beds) and the newest addition is a Micro A-Frame with a king bed," describes a visitor to Lakefront Glamping Resort Cherokee Lake Tennessee, adding practical details about the amenities.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Winter camping requires preparation but offers solitude. "I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend here. Other campgrounds in the area were closed, but this one is open year round. Bathrooms and showers remain open as well," explains a camper about Anderson County Park.
Site positioning: At Big Ridge State Park, site selection matters. "This seems to be a popular area to visit. The sites are small and close together. Not all of them have a suitable tent spot, and there were a lot of RVs. I wish there was a separate area for tents," advises one camper who visited during peak season.
Access challenges: Some Cumberland Gap glamping locations have difficult terrain. "The rain resulted in a very muddy area around the A-Frame and Tennessee mud is no joke. We accumulated about an inch of the thick gooey mud on our shoes," warns a visitor to Lakefront Glamping Resort, highlighting the need for appropriate footwear.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park offers swimming options for children. "Great place to swim for the summer with the kids," mentions a visitor who particularly valued this amenity during hot summer months.
Playground facilities: Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort caters to families with various activities. "We had the best time camping here in our pop up. The staff was friendly, the bathhouses were clean, the playground was unique, & plus it's dog friendly," shares a family who camped there with children.
Multiple activity options: For families seeking diverse experiences, Big Ridge State Park delivers variety. "Something for everyone. Clean lake, nice facilities, hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, gift shop, and a grist mill to check out," notes a satisfied visitor who appreciated the range of options.
Tips from RVers
Leveling preparation: Big Ridge sites require equipment for leveling. "Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road," advises an experienced RVer.
Dump station positioning: At Clinton-Knoxville North KOA, accessibility matters for services. "A great stop right off the highway. Super nice staff, easy in and out (make sure you pay attention to the left turn in past the gas station). Not the roomiest of sites, but fine for what we needed," reports a traveler who found the location convenient for highway access.
Electrical testing: Some campsites have electrical issues that require attention. "Want to give this 5 stars, because it was an awesome base for exploring Big South Fork. However, it is not staffed with a Camp Host, nor is there anyone at the entrance shack. My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004," warns an RVer about Alum Ford Campground.
