Wilderness Road State Park

Indian Ridge Trail

The Indian Ridge Trail is a 1 mile, moderate difficulty loop that is accessible near picnic shelter 1. This trail passes through mixed wooded areas and over soft limestone ledges. Along the way, hikers are rewarded with views of the Wilderness Road and surrounding mountains. From here it is easy to imagine the hardship and determination that were the hallmarks of traveling the road. Hikers will see a variety of hardwood trees and a few cedars and hemlocks along with the abundant wildlife of the region as they hike the trail.

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Wilderness Road Trail

The Wilderness Road Trail is a flat, fine gravel road for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The 10 mile, easy trail lies upon the former railroad bed of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, however, the route dates to even earlier times. The trail follows the route of a road blazed through the wilderness in 1775 by Daniel Boone and a small group of men. Known as the Wilderness Road, this trail became the principle route westward and by the 19th century over 300,000 settlers had traveled west from here through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky. Today you can follow this historic trail through the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park which is spread over the states of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

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Picnic Areas

Picnic areas with tables and outdoor grills are located between the fort and the picnic shelters as well as behind shelter 1.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 445-3065
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.9716 -83° 31.4966

Karlan Mansion

Karlan Mansion is unfurnished but available for rent for special events. It is situated on the park property and was built in 1878 by Robert McPherson Ely. The Ely family had been in Lee county since around the time that Daniel Boone cut the Wilderness Road. Many of the house's building materials such as the brick were acquired locally (the bricks were made from the land), but marble imported from Italy was used in the fireplace. Robert McPherson did not live there long with his wife and three daughters. They stayed in Missouri while the house was being built and were visiting family when Robert went for a swim in the creek nearby, fell ill from Typhoid fever, and died in 1880 at the age of 24. The wife and daughters continued to live in the house after his death and the house and nearby area came to be known as Elydale.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 445-3065
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.8183 -83° 31.4783

Wilderness Road Outpost

Snacks and other merchandise are available seasonally at the Wilderness Road Outpost, located by Wilderness Road Trail.

• Season/Hours: Call Park (276) 445-3065/Call Park (276) 445-3065
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Martin's Station

The park is home to a replica of Martins Station, a frontier outpost that played an important role in the region. This highly authentic replica was built by about 100 volunteers using traditional tools and methods, using oxen to haul local timber to the site for construction. The fort is built of poplar, an abundant hardwood that is easy to work with. Visitors to the fort will see historic interpreters who play the role of 18th century farmers and settlers. One can see them perform a variety of tasks while teaching about frontier life.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Wed - Sun 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.9900 -83° 31.6950

Visitor Center

The parks visitor center teaches visitors about the settlement of Virginias frontier and the thousands of people who passed through the area on the way to Kentucky. People can also learn about the constant danger of Indian raids from the Shawnee and Cherokee tribes as well as this areas role in the Revolutionary War. The visitor center features a large theater that shows an 18 minute film that tells more about life on the frontier. The visitor center also has a gift shop that sells souvenirs. These include many replicas of 18th century tools, weapons, and household items in addition to books about the history of the region.

• Season/Hours: All Year/ Monday - Sunday : 10:00am to 4:30pm
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.8349 -83° 31.5750

Camping Area

This park is mainly a day use facility closing daily at dusk. However there is a primitive group camp site just east of the visitor center that is accessible from both the multi-use trail and from highway 58. Contact the park for more details. (276) 445-3065

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (276) 445-3065
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.9000 -83° 31.4299

Picnic Shelter 1

The picnic shelters have horseshoe pits, water fountains, and electricity.

• Season/Hours: Year Round/Dawn until Dusk
• Fee: $53 per day
• Location:36° 37 57.58, 83° 31 28 99

Picnic Shelter 2

The picnic shelters have horseshoe pits, water fountains, and electricity.

• Season/Hours: Year Round/Dawn until Dusk
• Fee: $53 per day
• Location:36° 38 0.56, 83° 31 30.96

Picnic Shelter 3

Large shelter with fireplace. The picnic shelters have horseshoe pits, water fountains, and electricity.

• Season/Hours: Year Round/Dawn until Dusk
• Fee: $84 per day
• Location:36° 38 5.68, 83° 31 33.74