Breaks Interstate

Consider visiting Breaks Interstate Park, a unique park that spans the borders of southwestern Virginia and Kentucky. With only two interstate parks in the entire country, Breaks is a rare and breathtaking destination. The park covers 4,500 acres of woodland and Appalachian Mountain scenery, which is a natural wonder to see. The park gets its name from the break in Pine Mountain created by the Russell Fork River. The gorge formed over millions of years as the Russell Fork River roared its way through Virginia into Kentucky, headed for the Ohio River. It’s called the Grand Canyon of the South, and you won’t find a view like this everywhere.

Start your trip with a visit to the Rhododendron Restaurant, where the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a spectacular view of the gorge. You can step out onto the balcony and get even closer to this magnificent natural phenomenon. The lunch buffet is a treat on weekends, but there is a regular menu during the week. Be sure to try the cherry cobbler, and enjoy the delicious fried chicken, true southern style.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, Breaks Interstate Park offers a wide range of lodging options. You can choose from the park lodge buildings, which are named after plants, including Redbud Hemlock, Dogwood, and Catawba Lodges. The lodge has 70 rooms and one suite in the Rosebud Lodge, all of which have a view of the gorge. Alternatively, there are four split-level Woodland Cottages with two bedrooms and one bath, sleeping up to four adults. All have fully furnished kitchens.

The five lakefront cabins have a rustic appearance but are more luxurious. They all have a covered front porch with rocking chairs and a back deck complete with a hot tub overlooking

Laurel Lake. Imagine soaking in your hot tub and catching a nice-sized fish. You might even see some fish swimming in the clear water below. Two cabins include two bedrooms and two baths, one with a loft and additional space. One cabin is three bedrooms and three baths. There is even one cabin that is handicap accessible.

If you’re looking for camping on a slightly more luxurious scale, there are three yurts. Each yurt has a microwave inside and an outdoor cooking area featuring a picnic table, fire ring, and a charcoal grill. There are no bathrooms in the yurts, but they are located close to a campground bathhouse. One is handicap accessible.

Breaks Interstate Park offers many activities for adventure seekers, including zip-lining across the Grand Canyon of the South, whitewater rafting on the Russell Fork River, and rock climbing. If you prefer tamer adventures, you can enjoy a pedal boat, canoe, or kayak ride on Laurel Lake, bike with either a pedal or electric bike, fish, or do some leisurely hiking along the 25 miles of trails for bird and wildlife viewing. The park is home to white-tail deer, black bear, and many smaller species. There are two fledgling peregrine falcons that have been reintroduced to the area that are nesting down in the gorge. You might see beavers and mink along the river.

Breaks also has a large water park with a 4,000 square-foot beach-entry shallow pool, a current channel, four water slides, a spray ground, in-pool basketball and volleyball courts, and some shade spots if you want to avoid the sun. You won’t want to miss the eight overlooks in the park, which offer breathtaking views of the park. Many of the hiking and biking trails lead to the overlooks. One overlook you don’t want to miss is the State Line Overlook. From there,