Communities - Recreation

• Dickenson County - Dickenson County provides seven recreation areas, which include tennis courts, basketball courts, a swimming pool, horse rinks, picnic tables, and camping facilities.
• Breaks Interstate Park - The Breaks Interstate Park is a recreational and scenic park, encompassing an area of 4500 acres. The east and west sides of the park are separated by a 1,000-foot deep canyon carved by the Russell Fork River, dating back more than a million years. It is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the South.”

  The park facilities operate from April 1 until the Friday before Christmas, although persons may enter the park throughout the year, seven days a week for sightseeing or hiking.

  Available facilities include 82 motel units and two cottages, as well as campgrounds. The park also boasts a modern restaurant and gift shop on the rim of the Breaks Canyon and banquet facilities with a seating capacity of 525. Six picnic shelters, located within the park are used for family reunions and several other groups throughout the season. A visitor center houses natural and historical exhibits and geological and coal mining displays. An Olympic-sized swimming pool along with a kiddie pool can be utilized by the entire family. A boat dock offering pedal boat rental is located on beautiful Laurel Lake near the swimming pool. These boats may be used for pleasure riding and exercise, as well as bass and bluegill fishing. A network of walking and hiking trails allows visitors access to the depths of the Breaks Canyon or scenic paths that parallel Overlook Drive. Additionally, a nature drive that permits disabled individuals to view scenery from the comfort of their vehicles has been developed. Six scenic overlooks with guardrails and observation decks aid in viewing the spectacular scenery.

  In recent years, white water recreation (rafting, kayaking, and canoeing) on Russell Fork River has become a major sport, drawing white water enthusiasts from many parts of the world. More than 438,000 visitors visit the Breaks Park annually.

  • Grand Canyon of the South
    • Located in the Breaks Interstate Park is the largest canyon east of Mississippi, five miles long and 1600 feet deep.
    • The Towers is an imposing pyramid of rock more than one-half mile long and one-third mile wide. It is estimated to be 250 million years old.
    • Whitewater rafting draws enthusiasts worldwide. You can raft up to Class VI rapids in October. Native wildlife can be seen throughout the Park. Catawba Rhododendron is another beautiful attraction the Park has to offer. This magnificent plant blooms in mid-May.

• John W. Flannagan Reservoir - The U. S. Corp of Engineers owns and operates the John W. Flannagan Reservoir, a multi-purpose dam open for public use, consisting of 7,507 acres located in the Pound River Valley, 12 miles south of the Breaks Interstate Park. Recreational facilities include two amphitheaters, boat ramps, campsites, picnic shelters, playground equipment for children, hiking trails, tennis courts and a softball field. The 1143-acre lake provides swimming, sightseeing, water skiing, and bass, bream, walleye and trout fishing.
  • Located in the Cumberland Mountains of Dickenson County, Virginia, the lake stores the waters of the Cranesnest and Pound Rivers. It provides flood control, low-flow augmentation, fish and wildlife enhancement, water supply, and recreation.
  • More than 408,000 visit the reservoir annually.
  • With three campgrounds, five boat ramps, picnic area, fishing, hiking, hunting, boating, and picnic shelters for that family reunion or special event, it’s possible to find something for everyone at John W. Flannagan.
  • Swimming is available anywhere in the lake at your own risk where not posted or otherwise prohibited by law. Picnic shelters may be reserved by contacting the project office.

Looking for more things to do? Try your hand at catching some of those monster walleye and bass from boat or shore or take a breathtaking whitewater trip from the dam to Breaks Interstate Park on the river.

“Try your hand at catching some of those monster walleye and bass or take a breathtaking whitewater trip from the dam to the Breaks Interstate Park on the river.”

• Camp Jacob - Camp Jacob is a privately owned church camp. It consists of 185 acres, with 12 acres of boating and fishing. This camp offers hiking trails, horse trails, campsites, picnic areas, a playground, softball field, basketball court, archery range volleyball course. The public is invited to various scheduled activities sponsored by the camp. Fishing is open to the general public.
• Dickenson County - Dickenson County provides seven recreation areas, which include tennis courts, basketball courts, a swimming pool, horse rinks, picnic tables, and camping facilities.
• Center for Senior Citizens - There are two centers for senior citizens in the county. Activities include music performances, bus tours, shopping trips, luncheons, crafts, flea markets, and fellowship opportunities.
• Birch Knob Overlook