Middlesboro, KY (WOKI) The National Park Service wants your opinion on possible fee changes at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
The park is proposing higher fees for things like guided tours, picnic shelter rentals and camping.
Officials say the money you pay will go toward park improvements and future projects.
The park proposes to implement fee increases incrementally over the next three years, as shown in the table below:
| Guided Tours | Current (2024) | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gap Cave Tour – Adult | $8 | $12 | $18 | $24 |
| Gap Cave Tour – Child (5-12) | $4 | $6 | $9 | $12 |
| Gap Cave Tour – Interagency Senior/Access Pass | $4 | $6 | $9 | $12 |
| Hensley Tour – Adult | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 |
| Hensley Tour – Child | $5 | $10 | $15 | $20 |
| Hensley Tour – Interagency Senior/Access Pass | $5 | $10 | $15 | $20 |
| Picnic Shelter Rentals | Current (2024) | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bartlett Park – half day | N/A | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| Old Bartlett Park – all day | $30 | $50 | $60 | $70 |
| Sugar Run – half day | N/A | $24 | $33 | $42 |
| Sugar Run – all day | $30 | $48 | $66 | $84 |
| Lewis Hollow – half day | N/A | $24 | $33 | $42 |
| Lewis Hollow – all day | $30 | $28 | $66 | $84 |
| Campground O4 – half day | N/A | $24 | $33 | $42 |
| Campground O4 – all day | $30 | $48 | $66 | $84 |
| New Bartlett Park – half day | N/A | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| New Bartlett Park – all day | $30 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
| Civic Park – half day | N/A | $30 | $45 | $60 |
| Civic Park – all day | $30 | $60 | $90 | $120 |
| Wilderness Road Campground | Current (2024) | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-electric Campsite | $18 | $24 | $30 | $30 |
| Non-electric Campsite – Interagency Senior/Access Pass | $9 | $12 | $15 | $15 |
| Electric Campsite | $24 | $30 | $36 | $46 |
| Electric Campsite – Interagency Senior/Access Pass | $12 | $15 | $18 | $23 |
| Group Campsite | $39 | $48 | $58 | $68 |
The park is accepting public comment on the proposed fee increases now through September 4. Following public engagement and National Park Service approval, officials said new fees up to the amounts outlined above could be implemented as soon as October 2024.
Comments can be submitted by email or by mail to: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park / 91 Bartlett Park Road / Middlesboro, KY 40965 / Re: Fee Increase Comment.
