Summary
The park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the South” due to the amazing views of the gorge that the park offers.
There are many reasons to visit Breaks Interstate Park, including hiking, camping, fishing, and scenic drives. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, which range in difficulty from easy to strenuous, offering stunning views of the park’s natural beauty. The park also has several camping grounds, including RV sites and cabins, making it easy for visitors to stay overnight and enjoy the park’s beauty.
One of the most popular points of interest in the park is the Breaks Gorge, which is a stunning 1000-foot-deep canyon that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The park also has several other attractions, including the Tower Room, which offers stunning panoramic views of the park, and the Laurel Branch and Grassy Creek waterfalls.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was created in the 1950s as a joint project between Virginia and Kentucky, and that it is one of only two interstate parks in the United States. The park’s location also makes it a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to a wide variety of bird species.
The best time to visit Breaks Interstate Park is in the fall, when the park’s trees and foliage turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. However, the park is open year-round and offers plenty of activities and attractions to visitors no matter what time of year they visit. Overall, Breaks Interstate Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors and stunning natural beauty.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Breaks InterState Park
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Pound River - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
Mullins Pond Campsite
Grapevine - Fishtrap Lake