Breaks Interstate Park
Breaks Canyon, May 2003
Map showing the location of Breaks Interstate Park
Map showing the location of Breaks Interstate Park
Location on Kentucky/Virginia border
Map showing the location of Breaks Interstate Park
Map showing the location of Breaks Interstate Park
Breaks Interstate Park (the United States)
LocationKentucky and Virginia, United States
Nearest cityElkhorn City, Kentucky
Coordinates37°17′47″N 82°17′49″W / 37.29639°N 82.29694°W / 37.29639; -82.29694
Area4,500 acres (1,800 ha)
Established1954
Visitors286,401[1] (in 2014)
Governing bodyBreaks Interstate Park Compact
www.breakspark.com

Breaks Interstate Park is a bi-state state park located partly in southeastern Kentucky and mostly in southwestern Virginia, in the Jefferson National Forest, at the northeastern terminus of Pine Mountain. Rather than their respective state park systems, it is instead administered by an interstate compact between the states of Virginia[2] and Kentucky.[3] It is one of several interstate parks in the United States, but only one of two operated jointly under a compact rather than as two separate state park units. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Kentucky Department of Parks are still major partner organizations.

The Breaks is also sometimes referred as the "Grand Canyon of the South.” Russell Fork river and Clinchfield Railroad (now the CSX Transportation Kingsport Subdivision) both pass through it. It is accessed via Virginia 80 and Kentucky 80 between Haysi, Virginia and Elkhorn City, Kentucky, and passes through the community of Breaks, Virginia, east of the park.

History

This area was previously covered by a vast inland sea around 180 million years ago.[4] Over subsequent millennia, the Russel Fork gradually carved through the rock to form the spectacular valleys. Early human activity saw the area serve as hunting grounds for Shawnee and Cherokee people. In 1767, American frontiersman Daniel Boone passed through the area looking for an easier westward passage through Pine Mountain.[5] Boone subsequently gave the area its current name, The Breaks.

Preparations have been made to provide elk viewing areas. Elk were seen near the park in 2023 for the first time since the 1800s.[6]

Geography

Breaks Interstate Park is located about 5 miles (8 km) east of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. The park covers 4,500 acres (1,800 ha). The park's main feature, Breaks Canyon, is five miles long and ranges from 830 to 1,600 feet (250 to 490 m) deep. The canyon was formed by the Russell Fork river through millions of years of erosion.[7]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, nearby Elkhorn City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]

Climate data for Elkhorn City, Kentucky
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)		 83
(28)		 89
(32)		 92
(33)		 98
(37)		 100
(38)		 101
(38)		 100
(38)		 102
(39)		 90
(32)		 85
(29)		 80
(27)		 102
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 42
(6)		 47
(8)		 56
(13)		 66
(19)		 73
(23)		 80
(27)		 83
(28)		 82
(28)		 77
(25)		 67
(19)		 57
(14)		 45
(7)		 65
(18)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 23
(−5)		 26
(−3)		 32
(0)		 40
(4)		 49
(9)		 59
(15)		 63
(17)		 62
(17)		 55
(13)		 43
(6)		 33
(1)		 26
(−3)		 43
(6)
Record low °F (°C) −14
(−26)		 −12
(−24)		 −3
(−19)		 21
(−6)		 25
(−4)		 40
(4)		 40
(4)		 45
(7)		 34
(1)		 19
(−7)		 9
(−13)		 −11
(−24)		 −14
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.19
(81)		 3.20
(81)		 3.43
(87)		 4.06
(103)		 4.89
(124)		 4.50
(114)		 5.20
(132)		 3.86
(98)		 3.14
(80)		 2.82
(72)		 2.91
(74)		 3.27
(83)		 44.47
(1,129)
Source: The Weather Channel.[9]

Activities

The park has trails for hiking 25 miles (40 km), mountain biking 12 miles (19 km), and horseback riding.[10] The park has a water park with five waterslides, a current channel, and splash pad for small children, and in the summer of 2014 the park also added a regulation-sized volleyball court. The park also offers fishing, paddle boating, canoeing, and hydro biking on Laurel Lake, and white-water rafting on the Russell Fork.[10] The Breaks offers world-class rock climbing with sandstone similar to the nearby New River Gorge. The park offers a lodge with 82 guest rooms, four cottages near Beaver Pond, five cabins overlooking Laurel Lake, and a 122-site campground and a group camping area with 16 sites.[10] The park has a visitor center with exhibits on the area's historical and natural features, a 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) conference center with restaurant, and an amphitheater.[11]


References

  1. ↑ Virginia State Parks 2014 Attendance and Economic Impact Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  2. ↑ "Virginia State Park Locations". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. June 25, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  3. ↑ "About". Breaks Interstate Park. Kentucky Department of Parks. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Our History | Breaks Park".
  5. ↑ "Our History". Breaks Interstate Park Commission. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ Lee, Murry (February 10, 2023). "Elk spotted in Breaks Interstate Park for first time in more than a century". WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Breaks Interstate Park". Virginia Tourism Corporation. June 27, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ Climate Summary for Elkhorn City, Kentucky
  9. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Elkhorn City, KY". The Weather Channel. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 "Things to do". Breaks Interstate Park. Kentucky Department of Parks. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Amphitheater Music Events". Breaks Interstate Park Commission. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
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