Breaks Interstate Park

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About Us

More than 180 million years ago, the Breaks Park and surrounding area were covered by a vast inland sea. As time passed and the earth's climate and land areas changed, the sea receded, and what is now the Russell Fork River began to carve the beautiful, immense gorge that we now call "the Breaks."

In more recent times, the Cherokee and Shawnee Indian tribes used this region as their sacred hunting ground. John Swift is said to have buried a treasure of silver somewhere in the gorge. But it was Daniel Boone who is credited with discovering the Breaks in 1767 as he attempted to find improved trails into Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. The Breaks was a very rare passageway, or break, across the 125-mile long Pine Mountain. However, an abundance of copperheads and rattlesnakes, treacherous terrain, and thick forestation forced him to turn back, making "the Breaks" a noteworthy end to his journey.

In 1954, through the joint efforts of Virginia and Kentucky, the United States Congress created the Breaks Interstate Park, a 4,600 acre tribute to the unmatched rugged beauty of this natural wonder. It boasts the deepest chasm east of the Mississippi River and is also unique in another way the Breaks Park is one of only two interstate parks in the country.

With plenty of recreation, beautiful scenery, affordable lodging, and friendly faces, your trip to Breaks Interstate Park will be one to remember.

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• Rates: Click here to learn more about our rates.
• Directions: The park is located in northern Dickenson County, where Dickenson/Buchanan County, Va., and Pike County, Ky., converge. From Haysi in northern Dickenson County, take VA 80 8 miles north to the park entrance, on the left. The park is located 7 miles east of Elkhorn City, Ky., on KY-VA 80.
• Activities: Swimming, hiking, boating, whitewater rafting (seasonal), whitewater canoeing and kayaking (with your own craft), and horseback riding. Pond fishing for bass and bluegill, and river fishing for bass, trout, and walleye.
• Facilities: Visitor center, campground (electric, water, and sewer available; alcohol not allowed), restaurant, gift shop, housekeeping cottages, motor lodge, pool and snack bar, hiking trails, bike trail, boat dock and rental boats, stable and rental horses, fishing lake (license may be purchased at visitor center), picnic shelters. Primitive camping allowed in backcountry by permit.
• Dates of Operation:
  • Gates: open year-round.
  • Visitor center: open April 1 - Oct 31.
  • Campground: open April 1 - Oct. 31.
  • Restaurant and gift shop: open April 1 - Dec. 21.
  • Cottages: open year-round.
  • Motor lodge: open year-round
  • Pool and snack bar: open Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day.
  • Boat dock: open seasonally.
  • Riding stable: open seasonally.
• Fees: A fee is charged for admission, and for campsites, cottages, motor lodge, picnic shelters, pool, pedal boats, and horse rides.
• Closest towns: Elkhorn City, Ky., is on KY 80 in Pike County, 5 miles west of the park entrance. Haysi, Va., is on VA 80 in Dickenson County, 8 miles south of the entrance.
• For more information: Breaks Interstate Park, PO Box 100, Breaks, VA 24607-0100. Phone (276) 865-4413 or 4414  for motor lodge reservations.