Outdoors in Pikeville, Kentucky

Located just a short drive from the city limits, Breaks Interstate Park is frequently referred to as the Grand Canyon of the South. The park spans across the Kentucky and Virginia border to protect a five mile gorge plunging over a thousand feet deep. Residents utilize the park for rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and extensive wilderness hiking.

Check out the park lodging and adventure guides ->

Pikeville serves as a major gateway to the world famous Hatfield McCoy trail system. Off road enthusiasts bring ATVs and dirt bikes to explore hundreds of miles of rugged mountain terrain. The city is highly accommodating to riders and serves as a home base for weekend excursions into the Appalachian backwoods.

Learn more about the trail system ->

The Levisa Fork River provides a steady stream of water based recreation right through the center of the region. Residents launch kayaks, canoes, and inner tubes to navigate the calm currents. Local outfitters offer rental gear and shuttle services for spending a full afternoon on the water.

Find local kayak rental services ->

Sitting on the mountain overlooking the city, Bob Amos Park is the primary hub for local recreation. The park features a paved walking track, specialized mountain biking trails, and athletic fields. It also offers some of the best panoramic views of the Appalachian valleys and the river below.

Explore the trail maps at Bob Amos Park ->

The Pikeville Cut Through is one of the largest civil engineering projects in the western hemisphere. To solve constant flooding and traffic issues, the city worked with the federal government to move a mountain, reroute a river, and build a multi lane highway right through the new gorge. You can view the massive scale of this project from the overlook at Bob Amos Park.

Read more about the Cut Through project ->