With six state parks, one national park, five wildlife conservation areas, multiple parks and recreation areas, there are plenty of places to explore by bike, hike or motorized vehicles for all levels of explorers. Each park has a trail system and maps available to help you explore the variety of terrain that is available.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park offers the original Hensley pioneer settlement which may be accessed by bus. Other attractions in the park include the historic
town of Cumberland Gap, the majestic underground cathedral of Gap Cave and earthworks at Fort Lyon at Pinnacle Overlook. Haws Ridge offers the opportunities for geo caching. The Royal Blue WMA, Chuck Swan WMA, and Coal Creek OHB are a favorite destination for ATV Riders. Big Ridge State Park and Savage Gardens are naturalist parks abundant in wildlife and rare seasonal wild flowers such as jack in the pulpit. Each season is a tapestry of color. Spring brings the pinks, whites and purples of flowering dogwood, red bud and violets. During the summer, the canopy of green provides shade, as well as fern guarded streams and blackberry picking. Fall is majestic when the oaks, maples, poplars and hickory turn the area orange, red and yellow with color. Winter is striking with early morning fog off the lake and the serenity of paddling through the stillness of the water.

Camping and back packing are available at many of the parks and recreation areas that are waiting to be explored.