Get OUTSIDE

Here you'll find curious geology, scenic vistas, breathtaking beauty and a storied history you can't find in any other part of the state.

Breaks Interstate Park

This mountainous 4,500-acre state park straddles Virginia and Kentucky. It's also home to Breaks Canyon. Known as the "Grand Canyon of the South," this five-mile-long, more than 1,300-foot-deep gorge was formed by the once-raging Russell Fork River, forming a break in Pine Mountain.

MUST-DO CHECKLIST:

‡ Fly along the rim of Breaks Gorge on a zipline.

‡ Listen for bugling elk on a seasonal guided elk-watching tour.

‡ Snap photos of the iconic Towers from Towers Overlook.

‡ Hunt for 60+ geocaches strategically placed across the state park.

‡ Rent pedal boats and kayaks to take out on Laurel Lake.

Natural Tunnel State Park

Coined the "Eighth Wonder of the World" this state park awes with a 10-story-tall naturally-carved limestone tunnel. Peer into the tunnel, take in the views from Lover's Leap and splash around in a swimming pool with a colorful twirly slide.

MUST-DO CHECKLIST:

‡ Ride the chairlift to the floor of Natural Tunnel. Ranger-guided programs educate on the geologically wondrous tunnel.

‡ Cool off in a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide.

‡ Tour a historic replica of the Anderson Blockhouse.

‡ Stroll to Lover's Leap Overlook to peer into Natural Tunnel from high above.

‡ Spend the night in a yurt or cabin.

‡ Take a Cave Tour.

Wilderness Road State Park

Ewing

Get schooled in the frontier museum, then sit for a spell to watch the award-winning film, The Wilderness Road: Spirit of a Nation , at this state park. Explore a historic recreation of Martin's Station, an outdoor living history museum depicting life on Virginia's frontier in 1775.

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

Big Stone Gap

You won't find any hiking trails at this state park, but you will find a national historic landmark worthy of exploration. More than 40,000 historic artifacts and exhibits tell the story of Southwest Virginia from the pioneer era to the mining "boom and bust" era.

MUST-DO CHECKLIST:

‡ Take a self-guided tour of the Southwest Virginia Museum, an 1890s Victorian stone mansion with an original oak interior.

Clinch River State Park

St. Paul

Virginia’s 41st state park is currently under development, with the Sugar Hill Unit in St. Paul (Wise County) open for hiking, biking, and fishing. Sugar Hill currently has over 8 miles of hiking trails, a hike in picnic shelter, over 2 miles of river frontage, and significant cultural and historical attributes. The property contains remnants of an 18th-century French settlement. There are public boat launches available for boat access to the Clinch River at Artrip, Carbo and Old Castlewood (Russell County).

MUST-DO CHECKLIST:

‡ Watch the historic re-enactment of the Raid at Martin's Station.

‡ Enjoy a picnic lunch steps from the fenced-in buffalo viewing area.

‡ Rent a bike and cycle along the 8.5-mile Wilderness Road Trail.

‡ Let the kids burn off energy at the large ADA-certified playground.

‡ Brush up on American history with a walk along the 0.7-mile Pioneer Trail.

‡ Attend the monthly artisan series with hands-on workshops to create seasonal craft projects, like fused glass garden stakes.

‡ Explore a permanent outdoor exhibit called Southwest Virginia Walk of Fame that showcases the region's accomplished area natives.

‡ Stay the night at Poplar Hill Cottage, a quaint, gardenthemed cottage furnished with reproduction furniture.

‡ Spread a picnic blanket for an outdoor lunch on the museum's manicured grounds.

MUST-DO CHECKLIST:

‡ Hike the Riverside or Rock Bluff Trails at Sugar Hill for scenic views of the Clinch River.

‡ Explore remnants of St. Marie on the Clinch, a historic 18th-century French settlement that today is marked by a standing chimney.

‡ Bike the 3.4-mile Sugar Hill Trail Loop, which traverses the bluffs and banks of the Clinch River

‡ Watch native wildlife and birds or observe more than two dozen species of endangered freshwater mussels that live in the Clinch.

‡ Attend ranger led public education programs held weekly from April – October.