Breaks Interstate Park
Encyclopedia
Breaks Interstate Park, also referred as the "Grand Canyon of the South", is located in southeastern Kentucky
and southwestern Virginia
at the northeastern terminus of Pine Mountain. It is administered as a state park
by the states of Virginia and Kentucky, and is one of two interstate parks in the United States
.
The Breaks is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River
, through which the Russell Fork river and Clinchfield Railroad
(now the CSX Transportation
Kingsport Subdivision
) run. It is accessed via Virginia State Route 80, between Haysi, Virginia
and Elkhorn City, Kentucky
, and passes through the community of Breaks, Virginia
east of the park.
American frontiersman Daniel Boone
is credited with being the first person of European descent to discover the Breaks, which he first saw in 1767.
, Kentucky
. The park covers 4500 acres (1,821.1 ha). The park's main feature, Breaks Canyon, is five miles long and ranges from 830 to 1600 ft (253 to 487.7 ) deep. The canyon was formed by the Russell Fork river through millions of years of erosion.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and southwestern Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
at the northeastern terminus of Pine Mountain. It is administered as a state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
by the states of Virginia and Kentucky, and is one of two interstate parks in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Breaks is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, through which the Russell Fork river and Clinchfield Railroad
Clinchfield Railroad
The Clinchfield Railroad was an operating and holding company for the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway . The line ran from the coalfields of Virginia and Elkhorn City, Kentucky, to the textile mills of South Carolina...
(now the CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
Kingsport Subdivision
Kingsport Subdivision
The Kingsport Subdivision is a 133.2-mile railroad line owned and operated by CSX Transportation in the U.S. states of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee...
) run. It is accessed via Virginia State Route 80, between Haysi, Virginia
Haysi, Virginia
Haysi is a town in Dickenson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 186 at the 2000 census. The pronunciation of the final syllable is that of "sigh".-Geography:Haysi is located at ....
and Elkhorn City, Kentucky
Elkhorn City, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,060 people, 437 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density was 525.5 people per square mile . There were 506 housing units at an average density of 250.8 per square mile...
, and passes through the community of Breaks, Virginia
Breaks, Virginia
Breaks, Virginia is a small Virginia community located in Breaks, Virginia is a small [[Virginia]] community located in Breaks, Virginia is a small [[Virginia]] community located in [[Buchanan county,Breaks is located very close to the [[Kentucky]] border and is east of [[Breaks Interstate Park]]...
east of the park.
American frontiersman Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
is credited with being the first person of European descent to discover the Breaks, which he first saw in 1767.
Geography
Breaks Interstate Park is located about 5 miles (8 km) east of Elkhorn CityElkhorn City, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,060 people, 437 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density was 525.5 people per square mile . There were 506 housing units at an average density of 250.8 per square mile...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The park covers 4500 acres (1,821.1 ha). The park's main feature, Breaks Canyon, is five miles long and ranges from 830 to 1600 ft (253 to 487.7 ) deep. The canyon was formed by the Russell Fork river through millions of years of erosion.
Amenities and recreation
- Park Lodge with 82 guest rooms
- 5 modern cabins, overlooks Laurel Lake
- Campground with 122 campsites with utilities
- Rhododendron Restaurant
- Visitor's center - Highlights the area's historical and natural features
- Rhododendron Lodge Conference Center - 6000 square feet (557.4 m²), seats up to 525 people
- Mountain bikingMountain bikingMountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
- HikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
- approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) of trails, ranging from easy to difficult - FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
in Laurel Lake - Horseback and pony rides
- White water rafting on the Russell Fork
- Amphitheater