If you’re looking for an amazing family-friendly road trip, there is nowhere more breathtakingly beautiful than the Grand Canyon of the South. And guess what? You can save some money on gas and skip the trip to Arizona, because the Grand Canyon of the South is actually right here in Virginia. Many long-time residents of Virginia are not aware that this national treasure exists. Located along the Virginia and Kentucky border, Breaks Interstate Park is one of the most exquisite sites in the state and is sure to make for a memorable visit.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Located in Jefferson Forest, Breaks Interstate Park is located in both southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia. This bi-state park is only one of two of its kind in the entire country. The park is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the South because it is the deepest gorge that can be found east of the Mississippi River.
DM/flickr
The body of water that flows through the gorge is the Russell Fork River. This tributary is 51.9 miles long and flows through the Appalachian Mountains before eventually forming Big Sandy river along with the Tug Fork.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Are you wondering about the best way to explore the Breaks? There are so many options! Visitors can choose among 25 miles of scenic hiking trails, all varying in difficulty. A majority of the trails are about one mile long, which is perfect if you are traveling with younger hikers.
Breaks Park For those looking to explore the area on wheels, there’s the Mountain Bike Trail which offers incredible scenery and overlooks. This 12-mile loop trail ranges in variety and difficulty.
Famous pioneer Daniel Boone is credited with being the first European to discover the Breaks in 1767. Frontiersman such as Boone would refer to passages through the mountains as “breaks,” which is the reason for the park’s name. These breaks were truly rare finds. The present day park covers 4,600 acres. The gorge itself measures 5 miles and plunges an impressive 1,650 feet and makes for a spectacular view.
Breaks Interstate Park/Facebook
The adventurous soul can even opt for white water rafting through the heart of the canyon. Take caution: these rapids are some of the wildest and most difficult rapids and should only be attempted by experienced rafters. This extreme activity is available on Saturdays and Sundays during the first few weekends in October, as water is released from the John Flannagan Dam to create these incredible rapids.
Breaks Park
Whether you participate in one of the park’s many activities or simply decide to marvel at the view, there truly is no wrong way to experience the beauty that is Breaks Interstate Park.
K.G.Hawes/flickr
Have you had the opportunity to visit Virginia’s Grand Canyon? Did you know that the Old Dominion was home to the Grand Canyon of the South? If so, please feel free to share your experience at this wondrous place; we’d love to hear from you!
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
DM/flickr
Breaks Park
For those looking to explore the area on wheels, there’s the Mountain Bike Trail which offers incredible scenery and overlooks. This 12-mile loop trail ranges in variety and difficulty.
Breaks Interstate Park/Facebook
K.G.Hawes/flickr
Looking for more beautiful natural areas to explore that rival the Grand Canyon of Virginia? We put together this Natural Wonders Road Trip through Virginia that visits some of the state’s most stunning sites and features, including Luray Caverns, Crabtree Falls, Falling Springs Falls, Natural Bridge, and of course, the Grand Canyon of the South!
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Address: Breaks Interstate Park, 627 Commission Cir, Breaks, VA 24607, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Grand Canyon of the South April 30, 2022 Sarah M. Why is Breaks Interstate Park known as The Grand Canyon of the South? Breaks Interstate Park encompasses parts of both Kentucky and Virginia and it’s truly a wonder to behold. The park is glorious; it’s marked with an abundance of nature, bountiful hills, and sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of “The Breaks” is a five-mile, 1,650-foot-deep gorge that’s commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the South, and even the Grand Canyon of Virginia. It’s a beautiful place to explore, and we’re partial to the Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail, a six miler that traverses some of the best scenery in the Bluegrass! Is there another Grand Canyon of the South? The Breaks isn’t the only Grand Canyon of the South; the United States is home to some captivating canyons scattered all across the country; these are places of immense beauty and splendor that rivals the iconic Arizona canyon. Kentucky, which lays claim to half of Breaks Interstate Park, is home to the resplendent Red River Gorge. Dubbed The Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. A magical place any time of the year, Red River Gorge offers some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country. While the hiking is unrivaled in this park (there are 60 miles of mapped hiking trails in various spots throughout the Gorge), those with limited mobility or who wish to explore the scenery in a more leisurely manner can take the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 46-mile route with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the country.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Grand Canyon of the South
April 30, 2022
Sarah M.
Why is Breaks Interstate Park known as The Grand Canyon of the South? Breaks Interstate Park encompasses parts of both Kentucky and Virginia and it’s truly a wonder to behold. The park is glorious; it’s marked with an abundance of nature, bountiful hills, and sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of “The Breaks” is a five-mile, 1,650-foot-deep gorge that’s commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the South, and even the Grand Canyon of Virginia. It’s a beautiful place to explore, and we’re partial to the Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail, a six miler that traverses some of the best scenery in the Bluegrass! Is there another Grand Canyon of the South? The Breaks isn’t the only Grand Canyon of the South; the United States is home to some captivating canyons scattered all across the country; these are places of immense beauty and splendor that rivals the iconic Arizona canyon. Kentucky, which lays claim to half of Breaks Interstate Park, is home to the resplendent Red River Gorge. Dubbed The Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. A magical place any time of the year, Red River Gorge offers some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country. While the hiking is unrivaled in this park (there are 60 miles of mapped hiking trails in various spots throughout the Gorge), those with limited mobility or who wish to explore the scenery in a more leisurely manner can take the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 46-mile route with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the country.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Breaks Interstate Park encompasses parts of both Kentucky and Virginia and it’s truly a wonder to behold. The park is glorious; it’s marked with an abundance of nature, bountiful hills, and sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of “The Breaks” is a five-mile, 1,650-foot-deep gorge that’s commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the South, and even the Grand Canyon of Virginia. It’s a beautiful place to explore, and we’re partial to the Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail, a six miler that traverses some of the best scenery in the Bluegrass!
Is there another Grand Canyon of the South?
The Breaks isn’t the only Grand Canyon of the South; the United States is home to some captivating canyons scattered all across the country; these are places of immense beauty and splendor that rivals the iconic Arizona canyon. Kentucky, which lays claim to half of Breaks Interstate Park, is home to the resplendent Red River Gorge. Dubbed The Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. A magical place any time of the year, Red River Gorge offers some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country. While the hiking is unrivaled in this park (there are 60 miles of mapped hiking trails in various spots throughout the Gorge), those with limited mobility or who wish to explore the scenery in a more leisurely manner can take the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 46-mile route with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the country.
