Description

Top Five Things to Do
1. Rent a lakefront cabin.
2. Mountain bike the 12 mile stack loop trail.
3. Birders bring binoculars for the Virginia Wildlife Trail.
4. Rent a pedal boat, canoe or john boat on Laurel Lake.
5. Geocache one of 60 sites.

Lodging

Breaks Interstate Park's accommodations range from woodland cottages to campsites, from lakefront log cabins to lodge rooms with breath-taking views.

Here, learning once again to breathe deep in the sweet air of the Appalachians, we believe you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for - even when you hadn’t imagined it yet. There are plenty of options if you want to get outdoors: Nature lovers will enjoy a hike on a scenic trail — most within the park are short in length and easy in difficulty. Access to Laurel Lake and Russell Fork are a big attraction for the water sports crowd.

The park also includes a campground with tent sites as well as electric and water hookups for RV campers.

Click here for Breaks Interstate Park's official web site for reservations and much more information about the park.

Park Grounds
Lodge rooms and cottage open; dining room open in Nov. 2020 for Fri. - Sun. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Dec. 2020 - Feb. 2021 closed; March 2021 for Friday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Campground closed Nov. 1, 2020 - March 15, 2021. Grounds and hiking trails are open; Museum by appointment only.

History 

180 million years ago, during the age of dinosaurs, in an area now lying across Kentucky and Virginia, a vast inland sea receded, leaving in its wake a veritable cradle of botany. Meanwhile the river that is now Russell Fork got about the work of carving out an immense, spectacular gorge, renowned as the largest east of the Mississippi.In the wilderness surrounding Breaks Interstate Park, fractal ferns, galax, colts foot, tea berries and a profusion of fungi and moss species dot an undergrowth of rich greens with their bright yellows, oranges and pinks. Hike one of the park’s trails to get a view of these magnificent colors.

Things to Do

Biking
The Mountain Bike Trail offers breathtaking scenery. The trail is a stack loop trail system offering up to nearly 12 miles of riding, from moderate to difficult. Depending on the route chosen, bikers may plan rides of varying length, with the possibilities of good climbs and long downhill runs. Positive reviews for this trail are posted regularly on the websites for hiking enthusiasts.

Birding
As a part of the Virginia Birding and wildlife trail, Breaks Interstate Park is home to a wide variety of birds. Some of those include the Swainson’s Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Turkey Vulture, Red Tail Hawk and Osprey.

Boating
Pedal boats, canoes and a Johnboat are available seasonally for rental by the hour or half hour on beautiful Laurel Lake. Visitors may use these boats as a means to explore, or for fishing. Our boat dock is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends only in April, May, and October.

Camping
The heart of an authentic Breaks Interstate Park explorer’s experience! Our 138 sites range from a great place to pitch your tent to full RV hook-ups. Most of these sites are wooded but if you prefer, grassy areas are available in C Bottom. Playgrounds, a basketball court, a well-stocked store and a laundry facility are available. The campground is open each year from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December. Campsites may be reserved in advance through the park website at breakspark.com.

Fishing
Laurel Lake, Beaver Pond, and the Russell Fork River offer a variety of fishing experiences, and the promise of a good catch. Laurel Lake, a twelve-acre man-made lake, and our two-acre Beaver Pond are stocked with bluegill and bass. The Russell Fork River is stocked with Rainbow Trout by Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries officials. A fishing License is required, and is available for purchase at the Park Visitor Center.

Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game for adventure-seekers of all ages. Using a GPS device, participants hide and seek small containers called caches, or “geocaches” and often post their experiences online. There are currently more than 60 geocaches hidden in and around the Breaks Park area.

Golf
Breaks Park has partnered with beautiful Willowbrook Country Club to offer our overnight lodging guests a great golfing opportunity! Located on State Route 609 only 1.5 miles from the Breaks Park entrance, this private course offers a challenging game of golf for any skill level. But along with a great game of golf, you’ll enjoy the scenic value of the course as well, surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, and dotted with Willow trees.

Nine holes of golf, cart included: $15 
Eighteen holes of golf, cart included: $30
Prices do not include tax. Exclusions may apply. Offer not valid on tournament dates.

Hiking
More than 25 miles of hiking trails lace the park, varying from easy to difficult. Most are less than one mile long, but interconnected trails offer the more ambitious hiker a good choice of routes over varying terrain. Maps with descriptions of each trail are available at the Visitor Center. Trail names give clues to the outstanding physical features of each: Cold Spring, Geological, Grassy Creek, Grassy Overlook, Lake, Loop, Overlook, Prospectors' Ridge, River, Towers, and Tower Tunnel. Both the Ridge and Geological trails are self-guided, with booklets available at the Visitor Center that detail points and notes of interest. Additionally, guided hikes are scheduled throughout the summer.

Outdoor Theater
The amphitheater presents special programs all season long, including movie showings and music events. The amphitheater may be reserved for rental when it is not scheduled for park use.

Rafting
For the serious adventurer, whitewater rafting is available on the raging rapids of the Russell Fork River. Each Saturday and Sunday during the first four full weekends in October, water is released from the John Flannagan Dam and Reservoir, creating world class rapids on the Russell Fork through the Breaks Gorge. Different sections of the river provide varying levels of difficulty. Rafters will find Class Two and Three rapids closer to the Flannagan Dam area, and rapids up to Class Six through the Breaks Park area on sections of the river where names like "twenty stitches," "broken nose," and "triple drop," give some sense of the adventure to be had here. The gradient of the Russell Fork ranges from five feet per mile to an unbelievable 180 feet per mile. One violent 75-foot stretch, aptly named "El Horrendo," is considered one of the most difficult in the East.

Swimming
Splash in the Park! Open daily from the Saturday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day. Features include a 4,000 square-foot beach-entry leisure pool, which anchors the water park. Additional features, including a current channel; four water slides; a spray ground; in-pool basketball and volleyball areas; shade structures; and other water features ensure that everyone will enjoy this facility. Concession available. Party/event packages available both during and after regular operational hours.

Admission Fees
Monday - Friday

• Under four feet tall - $6
• Four feet tall and over - $8
• Seniors (age 55+) - $6
• Infants age 1 and under - Free

Saturday - Sunday

• Under four feet tall - $8
• Four feet tall and over - $10
• Seniors (age 55+) - $8
• Infants age 1 and under - Free

Admission for kids under four feet tall is half-off after 3 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.