On June 22, 1998, TN State Parks announced the creation of the Cumberland Trail State Park, Tennessee's 53rd State Park and the only state park of its kind. In September 2002, the park was renamed the park Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park in recognition of Wilson's dedication and leadership in catalyzing efforts to build the trail.

Past, Present, Future

Over the next eight to 10 years, the state will work in partnership with the Cumberland Trail Conference (the CTC) an associate organization of the Tennessee Trails Association, and other volunteers to solicit public and private support for acquisiton of additional land along the trail. The CTC is building the Cumberland Trail at the ground level.

Upon completion, the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park -- the state's only linear park -- will be 300 miles, cutting through 11 Tennessee counties from the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border, to the Signal Point near Chattanooga.

One hundred fifty miles of the Cumberland Trail are open and ready for exploration. This includes the Cumberland Mountain Segments above LaFollette and Jacksboro and in the Cumberland Gap National Military Park, the Grassy Cove Segment on Black and Brady Mountain in Cumberland County, the Tennessee River Gorge Segment in Prentice Cooper State Forest, and the Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment in the Obed River Gorge and Catoosa WMA.

The Cumberland Trail wanders among the remnants of the Cumberland Mountains that once rose as high as the Rockies. The trail represented a barrier to all who dared push through storied gaps westward onto and over the Cumberland plateau. It now provides a linkage north to south, forming natural connections and opportunities for scenic vistas and curious geological formations.

Activities

Visit Cumberland Trail.Org for activities and maps

Special Events