Breaks Interstate Park – What kid could pass up a water park on top of a mountain that has four water slides, a spray ground, current channel, in-pool basketball and volleyball areas and giant swimming pool! More wet fun includes pedal boats, canoes, and fishing on the lake.
For those older kids and adventure hounds, you can book a thrilling Zip Line Experience or in October a white-water rafting ride that travels through the gorge. For land lovers, the park provides hiking, biking, geocaching, horseback riding, and birding. Your family has a choice of camping, cottages, rooms at the lodge or a luxury cabin all surrounded by trails leading to overlook views, deep mountain forests, a sparkling lake and a recently updated water park at the pool.
The luxury cabins have fully equipped kitchens, or if the cook is on vacation, your family can enjoy all their meals in The Rhododendron Restaurant which offers a broad menu selection along with breathtaking views of the gorge from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The Visitor Center and Museum provide information, guided tours, educational exhibits, and grist mill demonstrations. Breaks claim to the fame as the “Grand Canyon of the South” is well deserved because the overlooks and scenic views of the 5-mile gorge 1650 feet below are truly spectacular. Perched on the mountain tops and ridges between Virginia and Kentucky, this 4,600-acre park provides plenty of kid fun out of doors.
Just north of Breaks is the quaint village of Haysi, VA. You will find the new Ridge View Off Road Trail at the Kiwanis Park Trailhead. The ATV Trail takes riders from Haysi to Breaks Interstate and connects with Coal Canyon ATV Trail near Grundy. Over 100 miles of mountain adventures and watch for members of the wild Elk Herd that is part of a restoration program in the area. Bring your
Side x Side, ATV/UTV or Dirt Bikes to ride the trails. Or bring your mountain bikes for plenty of exciting riding on any of the 5 Spearhead Trails. Visit SpearheadTrails.com for maps, permits, and regulations for the ATV Trails.
Near Clintwood, VA families can tackle an uphill hike to the top of Birch Knob Observation Tower for a breath-taking view of three neighboring states. Ranges of mountains covered in green forest provide a great backdrop for selfies. Bluegrass, gospel and country music lovers love to visit the Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood to experience the sounds, voices, life and music of the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley. Life music performances are scheduled at the Ralph Stanley Museum or the Jettie Baker Center in Clintwood, VA.
