WILDLIFE VIEWING

Pine Mountain State Resort Park and Nature Preserve - KY's first park (1926). Part of the giant Appalachian Mountain system. Rewarding area for bird watchers, large variety of wildlflowerss, hiking, self-guided hiking trails. Offers elk viewing tours. Click here for more. Parks features pool, mini-golf, nature center, picnic shelters, playground, Laurel Cove Ampitheatre, breathtaking scenic beauty. Home of the Annual Mountain Laurel Festival. (606) 337-3066

Begley WMA - there are numerous elk in this area but very spread out.

Cannon Creek Lake - rainbow trout, largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, warmouth, channel catfish

Kentucky Ridge State Forest & WMA - Kentucky's 2nd largest state forest. Excellent for hunting and rugged back country hiking, many scenic overlooks, mountainous terrain, forested, squirrel, grouse, deer, turkey , black bear and much more. (606) 337-3011.

WILDLIFE CONTINUED:

Chenoa Lake - in Kentucky Ridge State Forest. Largemouth bass, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, channel catfish, brown bullhead. (606) 337-3011

Shillalah Creek WMA - Bell & Harlan Counties, along Brush Mountain north of Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Parts of undeveloped road requires 4WD. Old-growth forest, extremely rugged and steep terrain with many high cliffs; turkey, deer, raccoon, squirrel, grouse. (606) 878-9595

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park - Covers over 20,305 acres in Kentucky, Virginia & Tennessee. 2nd largest historical park in the U.S. The "Gap" is an 800-ft. deep natural break in the Cumberland Mountains. Pioneers led by Daniel Boone marked out the trail left by Indians, this become known as the Wilderness Road. More than 300,000 pioneers traveled the "Gateway to the West." (606) 248-2817

Gap Cave - a majestic underground cathedral. Join park rangers, with lanterns in hand, discover glistening stalagmites and sparkling stalactites and catch a glimpse of a bat or two. Civil War soldiers also explored the cave. Take this 2-hour adventure. A mile of walking and 183 steps have to be navigated. Children 5 and under are not allowed in the cave for safety reasons. (606) 248-2817 ext. 1075

Martins Fork Lake and Wildlife Managment Area (WMA) - Mountainous terrain, forested in second growth hardwoods. Fishing, boating in Martin's Fork Lake. Grouse, squirrel, turkey, deer, elk, furbearers and raptors can be found here.

Cannon Creek Lake - 243 acre lake. Wide variety of fish such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, warmouth and channel cat. (606‚ 248-2482

Good to Moderate Populations of: Squirrel, rabbits, grouse, deer, turkey and songbirds. Many species of wildflowers abound among ferns and mountain laurel. Fishing is a popular sport in this area.

GOLF:

  • Wasioto Winds - at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. 18 hole signature course has a pro-shop, rental clubs and carts. (606) 337-3066
  • Middlesboro Country Club - oldest continuously played golf course in the United States, 9 holes, semi-private. Pro-shop, concessions, club and cart rentals. (606) 248-3831

CAMPGROUNDS: 160 Campsites in the county

LODGING

  • Downtown Inn & Suites - 100 rooms, outdoor pool. (606) 248-5630.
  • Boone Trail Motel - 24 rooms. (606) 248-1340.
  • Holiday Inn Express - 46 rooms, 12 suites, 2 executive suits, outdoor pool. (606) 248-6860.
  • Parkview Motel - 21 rooms. (606) 248-4516.
  • Pine Mountain State Resort Park - lodge 30 rooms, 2 bedroom private cottages - 11, 1 bedrooms cabins - 9, primitive camping, restaurant. (606) 337-3066.
  • The Cumberland Manor Bed & Breakfast - 4 suites turn of the century home, country breakfast daily. (606) 248-4299.

RESTAURANTS

  • Creekside Market & Grill - fast food, (606) 337-6786
  • Engles Drive Inn - fast food, (606) 377-6145
  • The Flocoe - home cooking, deli specials, (606) 337-2034
  • Hamburger Hut - walk up and carry out, (606) 337-7555
  • L & K Truck Stop - daily specials, (606) 337-2845
  • Pine Mountain State Park & Resort - Fine dining, banquets, (606) 337-3066
  • Pizza Palace - pizza, (606) 337-6777

CRAFTS:

  • Cumberland Crafts - retail outlet of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, Cumberland Gap. Features fine crafts by over 800 juried artists in the southern Appalachian region. (606) 242-3699
  • Henderson Settlement & Log House Craft Shop - A United Methodist Mission founded in 1925, this 1300 acre mision includes a church, demonstration farm, greenhouse, orchards, garden, hiking trail, gym, recreational ballfields, basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court and swimming pool. Dining hall with food service for 15 or more. Converted guest houses for reunions or groups. Free mission tours by appointment. Craft shop offers a variety of handmade mountain/country crafts, quilts. (606) 337-3613
ATTRACTIONS:
  • Arthur Museum, Middlesboro. Home to the Bell County Tourism Commission and Visitor Center. This beautiful building is on the National Historic Register, built in 1890 to house the old American Association. Museum showcases city founder Alexander A. Arthur memorabilia. (800) 248-1075
  • Coal House - Middlesboro, home to the Bell County Chamber of Commerce. House is a unique landmark, built in 1926 out of 42 tons of bituminoius coal. (606) 248-1075
  • Bell County Coal Mining Display - next door to the Coal House, outdoor display features coal mining equipment from the 1960s. Includes a mine locomotive and coal cutting machines.
  • Lost Squadron/P-38 Museum - Middlesboro Airport. The main attraction is the Glacier Girl, which was crash landed in Greenland 50 years ago by the Tomcat Squadron. See and hear the history of this P-38 war plane and its amazing recovery from a 268 foot ice cap. (606) 248-1149
  • Hensley Settlement Tours - This is a preserved settlement located atop Brush Mountain where the Hensley's first settled in 1903. In the early part of the century, these settlers elected to remain on the mountain forsaking settled areas for an entire self sufficient way of life. The farmstead community has restored houses, barns, fences, schoolhouse and cemetery. Tours by appointment. (606) 248-2817
  • Cumberland Gap Tunnel - A twin-boore, 4600 ft. tunnel that passes under the Cumberland Gap. One of the most unique tunnels in the world. (606) 248-2817
  • Chained Rock - located at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Huge chain anchored to boulder seems to be holding rock in place 1,000 feet over the City of Pineville. (606) 337-3066.
  • Pinnacle Overlook - Cumberland Gap. Breathtaking view of four different states and seven different towns. (606) 248-2817
  • Tri-State Marker - Cumberland Gap. A National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the marker indicates where the states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia all meet. Possible to stand in all three states at once. (606) 248-2817
  • Carnegie Library/Bell County Historic Society & Museum - features artifacts and photographs of Bell County heritage. Volunteer-staffed and has an information booth. (606) 242-0005. www.bellcountymuseum.com
  • Centennial Park & Historical Canal Walk - nestled by the City parking lot, a wall of personalized memorial bricks behind the park water fountain; memorials honoring Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Korean War.
  • Ejectaflap Meteor Crater - 300 million years ago, a meteor crashed into the earth where Middlesboro is now located. There is an area in the center of town that is higher than the surrounding ground, pushed up from the meteor's impact. Area has been designed a distinguished geological site. (800) 988-1075
WMTH Corporation | P.O. Box 51153 | Bowling Green, KY 42102 | (270) 781-6858 | trailsrus.com