Breaks Interstate Park: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.  
{{Park
|Banner Image=
|Park Type=State Park
|Park Website=https://www.breakspark.com
|Trail Map Link=https://www.breakspark.com/park-information-hours/park-maps-and-trail-info/
|Activities=Hiking, Boating, Biking, Geocaching, Horses, Fishing
|Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers, Lakes
|Park Amenities=Pools, Fast Food Grill, Sports, Picnicking, Playgrounds
|Lodging Types=Campground
|Camping Amenities=Site water, Dump station, 20 amp electrical, 30 amp electrical, 50 amp electrical, Showers, Playgrounds, Wi-Fi, Camp Store
|Area=4,500 acres
|Operated By=Breaks Interstate Park Compact
|Parking=37.296389, -82.296944
}}
{{Park trail map}}


-->{{Infobox Trail
__TOC__
                    | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
== Park Overview ==
                    | City = Breaks
                    | State = Virginia
                    | Marking = N/A
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}}
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
                    | Hike Time = 3
                    | Distance = 4.5
                    | Elevation Gain = *
                    | High Point = *
                    | Latitude = 37.286752
                    | Longitude = -82.296031
                    | Medical = Pikeville, KY
}}<!--
 
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-->{{Trail page needs
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| KML =
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description =
| Photos =
| Winter photos =
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| Trail pins =
| Other = Not a trail
| Comment = Convert to a park page
| Date reviewed = 10/24/2015
}}<!--
 
Start of Main Page -->
== Overview ==
[http://www.breakspark.com/ Breaks Interstate Park] offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge.  Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.
[http://www.breakspark.com/ Breaks Interstate Park] offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge.  Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.


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An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails.  Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215).  First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail.  Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork.  Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail.  Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached.  Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge.  Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle.  Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.
An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails.  Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215).  First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail.  Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork.  Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail.  Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached.  Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge.  Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle.  Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
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Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.


== Misc. Information ==
==Gallery==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
{{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}
 
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Parking lot for Towers Tunnel Trail|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.2865,-82.30358}}
== Maps ==
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Overlook|Marker Title=Towers Tunnel Overlook|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.28369,-82.30354}}
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Prospectors' Trail|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.28511,-82.30308}}
<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="450">
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=River and Prospectors' trail intersection|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.29004,-82.30941}}
 
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Grassy Creek and River trail intesection|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.29589,-82.31410}}
37.2865,-82.30358~Parking lot for Towers Tunnel Trail~ ~MarkerA.png
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Grassy Creek and Laurel Branch trail intersection|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.29821,-82.30890}}
37.28369,-82.30354~Towers Tunnel Overlook~ ~MarkerE.png
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Laurel Branch and Geological trail intersection|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.29468,-82.30474}}
37.28511,-82.30308~Prospectors' Trail~ ~MarkerG.png
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Overlook Trail|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.29271,-82.30803}}
37.29004,-82.30941~River and Prospectors' trail intersection~ ~MarkerG.png
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Toilet|Marker Title=Visitors Center|Marker Description= |Marker Location=37.28727, -82.2958}}
37.29589,-82.31410~Grassy Creek and River trail intesection~ ~MarkerG.png
37.29821,-82.30890~Grassy Creek and Laurel Branch trail intersection~ ~MarkerG.png
37.29468,-82.30474~Laurel Branch and Geological trail intersection~ ~MarkerG.png
37.29271,-82.30803~Overlook Trail~ ~MarkerG.png
37.28727, -82.2958~Visitors Center~ ~MarkerQ.png
</display_map>
 
 
[http://www.virginiaoutdoors.com/inc/parkfiles/_parkmaps/breaksinterstate-parkmap.pdf Park trail map]
 
== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:placeholder.jpg|caption
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>
 
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to.  -->
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]

Revision as of 08:00, 25 November 2019

Breaks Interstate Park
Park Type State Park
Located
External Links Official Website

Official Trail Map

Entrance Fee Unknown
ActivitiesThings to do at the park HikingBoatingBikingGeocachingHorsesFishing
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park PoolsFast Food GrillSportsPicnickingPlaygrounds
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park WaterfallsVistasRiversLakes
Park Trails

20 Trails / Total of 15.94 miles25.653 km <br />

Lodging Types Campground
Camping Amenities

Site waterDump station20 amp electrical30 amp electrical50 amp electricalShowersPlaygroundsWi-FiCamp Store

Park Area 4,500 acres18.211 km² <br />
Operated By Breaks Interstate Park Compact
Main Location Map
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Park Overview

Breaks Interstate Park offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge. Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.

How to get there

From Kingsport:

  1. Take I-81 north to Exit 14 (VA-140/Abingdon).
  2. Turn right/NE onto VA-140 and travel half mile.
  3. Turn right onto W Main St/US11/US19 for just under a mile.
  4. Turn left/norht onto US-19 and travel 29 miles to Rosedale.
  5. Turn left onto VA-80 and continue for 40 miles to park entrance.
  6. There are several parkings lots for the main trails.

GPS address for visitors center 627 Commission Circle Breaks, VA 24607.

Route Description

The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.

Trail Miles Blaze Difficulty Usage
Beaver Pond Trail 0.4 Purple Easy Dnr hiking.png
Campbranch Trail 0.7 White Easy Dnr hiking.png
Center Creek Trail 0.5 Purple Medium Dnr hiking.png
Cold Springs Trail 0.5 Yellow Medium Dnr hiking.png
Deer Trail 0.5 Purple Easy Dnr hiking.png
Geological Trail 0.35 White Medium Dnr hiking.png
Grassy Creek Trail 0.5 Yellow Medium Dnr hiking.png
Grassy Overlook Trail 0.5 Green Medium Dnr hiking.png
Ladies Loop Trail 0.24 Gray Moderate Dnr hiking.png
Lake Trail 0.5 Orange Easy Dnr hiking.png
Laurel Branch Trail 1.25 Red Medium Dnr hiking.png
Loop Trail 0.4 Green Easy Dnr hiking.png
Mountain Bike Trail 3.0 Green Medium Dnr hiking.png Dnr bike.png
Overlook Trail 0.75 Green Medium Dnr hiking.png
Prospectors' Trail 1.5 Orange Medium Dnr hiking.png
Rattlesnake Trail 2.5 Orange Medium Dnr hiking.png Dnr bike.png
Ridge Trail 0.5 Blue Medium Dnr hiking.png
River Trail 1.0 Blue Difficult Dnr hiking.png
Tower Tunnel Trail 0.2 Yellow Easy Dnr hiking.png
Towers Overlook Trail 0.15 Red Easy Dnr hiking.png

An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails. Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215). First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail. Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork. Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail. Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached. Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge. Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle. Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.

Typical Conditions

Being a VA/KY state park, the dirt and gravel trails are kept in excellent condition. Some of the trail sections are narrow with steep dropoffs, so pay attention. After rain, some of the dirt trails are reported to be slippery.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.

Gallery





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