We make a point to travel and visit as many of our national and state parks as we can. Although this one does not have much to offer in the way of amenities, it would be a nice picnic spot and break point during a trip. The major downside to this park in our experience was the staff. Normally we find them very cordial and pleasant. Never before have we encountered such standoffish and almost rude personnel at a state or national park.
We visited this park due to the federal government shut down and were glad we did. The staff was very friendly. We toured the rebuilt fort on a day that the enactors were waiting on the arrival of school children, so we had them to ourselves. Each of them answered all of our questions in great detail. The fort was reconstructed using the methods and tools of the original construction. They lived period correct during the whole construction. They were dressed in the style of the day, doing jobs of the period. Down to the tanning of hides and making of munitions. Don't wait for a government shut-down to visit this wonderful historical experience!
Summer is best when the have the reenactments. A really nice easy flat horse trail along the wilderness road for us trail riders.
This Virginia State Park includes a recreation (these buildings are neither original nor even on the actual historical site) of a frontier settlement in the late 18th Century. Martin's Station was the last stop on the eastern side of the mountains for those following the Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap. As such it is a nice complement to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Recreated cabins, blacksmith shops, barns etc. with a helpful and entertaining staff, in costume and in character, to both guide you and explain life at the bleeding edge of America's westward expansion. There is a paved bike path following the route of Daniel Boone's Wilderness Road. A large picnic area complete with slides and swings for the kids. A small museum and gift shop in the visitors center.
You move back in time and see the fort as it was. The staff were very interested in making sure you got your questions answered and that you had a great experience. I go to many parks and this was one of the best staffed and most friendly I have been to.
We visited this park on a Sunday. Rangers and Staff were extremely helpful and nice. We brought our bikes to ride the Trail (visitor's center rents bikes if you don't have your own). It was a very nice ride, fairly level until you get close to the Cumberland Gap Park where the trail gets close to the highway and hilly. Saw very few other people on the trail. Trail was quiet and peaceful. The buffalo in the field were a nice surprise. We visited Martin's Station. The enactors there were very friendly and informative. The fort and surrounding area is impressive and educational. There were sheep, horses, chickens and a pig. Hope to go back and ride again in the spring.
This authentic representation of the fort that Joseph Martin was comissiioned to build in the 1700's is extremely detailed and amazes me how the human species perservered during this time in history. If you're lucky you'll catch the reinactors in full character living of life of hard work, dedication and inginuity
The national park just a bit further west is much better, bigger and offers tons more to see and do. ( Cumber Gap ) visitors center is small, film is okay but again almost a duplication of one of the films at the NP. Ranger at visitor station very nice and helpful "actors" portraying the frontier settlers at the so-so recreated fort not very friendly and not engaging at all. Buffalo at entrance was the highlight but can be seen from the road. Again if extra time go in, it does offer great views of the surrounding area.
My name is Betty Brooks(Merritt). I was born and raised in Ewing. My dad use to takemy sisters and brothers to the Sand Cave. My last visit to the Sand Cave was in 1966.It took us all day up the mountain. There were no trails to follow. We literely had to blaze the trail. Half day up and half day down. the Sand Cave was amazing, and still today it amazes me of God's wonder. I wrote a poem about this cave a few years ago.Everyone at my church was amazed about the poem. My sons and grandchildren plan to visit our town in the fall and go back to the Sand Cave. Lots of memories linger fromwhere I was born. My dad was the late Thurman Brooks . 230 Hurricane Circle, La Vergne, Tn 37086
On our way to Cumberland Gap National Park, we ran across this wonderful state park. The buffalo right outside the gates drew our attention first. Then we had a very nice visit with the ranger at the visitor center. We were pleasantly surprised by the reconstructed frontier outpost. The experience was enhanced by the two interpreters who were there. They explained how volunteers reconstructed the buildings using techniques common to frontier craftsman. The volunteers were even granted waivers by the state for not using modern safey equipment such as hard hats. We highly recommend a stop at this park.