Breaks Interstate Park Overlook

Breaks Interstate Park straddles the Kentucky–Virginia line, jointly managed by both states under an interstate compact — an arrangement that exists at only one other park in the country. The draw for riders is the canyon itself: the Russell Fork river carved a gorge through Pine Mountain that runs five miles long and reaches up to 1,600 feet deep, making it the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi. KY-80/VA-80 is the access road, a sinuous mountain route that connects Elkhorn City on the Kentucky side to Haysi on the Virginia side, and the park entrance sits roughly seven miles east of Elkhorn City.

Once inside, a series of named overlooks — Clinchfield, Stateline, Towers, and others along the rim — each offer a different angle down into the gorge. The drop is genuine: standing at the edge, birds of prey sometimes circle well below eye level. The Visitor Center near the entrance has maps, restrooms, and exhibits covering the area's natural and cultural history. A small day-use fee is collected at the entrance, so carry a few dollars. The park is a full-season destination, though the mountain road can carry sand and debris in early spring and following heavy rain, so scan the surface as conditions change.