Breaks Interstate Park RV & Campground Guide

Laurel Lake is full of trout, making it a prime location for fly fishing. Trout fishing is allowed all year-round, and visitors must have a valid fishing license in Virginia to participate. The lake also offers opportunities for other types of fishing, such as bass, bluegill, and catfish. Beaver Pond and Russell Fork River are different fishing spots in the park that you can explore for a change of scenery. Please note that Breaks Interstate Park has strict fishing regulations, including catch-and-release policies, limits on the number of fish seen, and prohibitions against certain types of bait.

There are over 60 hidden geocaches in Breaks Interstate Park, including traditional, multi-caches, and earth caches. The geocaches might be cleverly concealed in tree hollows, beneath rocks, or even tucked away inside birdhouses. When you successfully locate a geocache, take a moment to sign the logbook and carefully return the cache to its hiding place.

Take a tour to the Virginia Elk Restoration Zone, where majestic elk roam freely. Numerous viewing areas also allow visitors to catch a glimpse of deer, turkeys, and hawks. Visitors can explore the park's natural beauty through its extensive trail system. The system includes the captivating Canyon Rim Trail and scenic Lakeview Overlook, which are favorites among bird-watchers.

There are good spots in the park, like the Backcountry area, where you can see the night sky without light pollution. Canyon Rim Trail, with its stunning views of Breaks Canyon, provides an equally captivating backdrop for stargazing. You can also explore the Lakeview Overlook, where you can see Lake Cumberland and the mountains around it below the Milky Way and other constellations.

The park has mammals like deer, elk, black bears, raccoons, and squirrels. Birds such as warblers, vireos, hawks, and owls live here also. In addition, you may spot snakes, turtles, frogs, and salamanders. The park's plant life includes oak, hickory, maple, and pine trees, along with shrubs like rhododendron, laurel, and azalea, complemented by wildflowers such as trillium, bloodroot, and violet.

Some popular trails include the 12.2-mile Breaks Interstate Loop and 12.5-mile Desert View Drive. Breaks Interstate Loop has excellent views of Breaks Canyon, but it is more complicated to navigate. The 8.4-mile Russell Fork River and Laurel Branch Loop Trail has some demanding sections but primarily moderate terrain. For a more relaxed experience, the 2.2-mile Tower Tunnel Trail leads hikers through a rock tunnel with views of the Breaks Canyon.

Glide serenely across Laurel Lake aboard pedal boats, ideal for leisurely exploration amid breathtaking scenery. Paddle along the river to embrace the solitude of the woods or venture downstream for an exhilarating encounter with rapids. Boat rentals and equipment are available at the seasonal boat dock, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Multiple designated swimming areas along Laurel Lake's shoreline provide a safe and enjoyable experience with lifeguards on duty in some locations. The park has a seasonal swimming pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Enjoy over 300 climbing routes available for every level of climber. The park's courses range from easy to extremely difficult and may require a combination of strength, agility, and strategy to conquer. Some of the most popular routes include the Cave Route and Dihedrals.

Bike on 12 miles of moderate to rugged trails, testing your skills and limits. Some trails open for biking are Flatwoods Loop Trail, Mountain Home Trail, and Fern Hollow Trail.