Breaks Interstate Park
State park
4.7 (2030)
627 Commission Cir, Breaks, VA 24607
Hiking, camping & rafting over 4,600 lush acres & a 5-mile gorge on the Virginia-Kentucky border.
Barbecue grillBasketball courtPicnic tablesPublic restroom
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Creek/RiverKY
Breaks Interstate Park Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Compare Breaks park river access with its separate seasonal waterpark, check sunset gates and fees, and avoid the old cross-river and cliff-jumping advice.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
No jumping, diving, rope-swing or cross-river access recommendation retained. Confirm current permission for each river location. Follow the separate waterpark rules only when that facility is operating.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Creek/River
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current park page lists $3 per car day admission and a $50 park pass. These are not a verified fee schedule for every river approach. Waterpark tickets and camping are separate; confirm charges before booking.
Best season
Plan the chosen activity using current operator notices. As checked October 14, the waterpark is seasonally closed and announces reopening Memorial Day 2027. Do not substitute a summer swim promise for a current river assessment
Nearby towns
Pikeville (Ky), Elkhorn City (Ky), Haysi (Va)
Water body
Russell Fork River And Grassy Creek; Splash Waterpark Is A Separate Developed Facility
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Pikeville (Ky), Elkhorn City (Ky), Haysi (Va)
Access location not verified
HAYSI (VA), KY
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Breaks Interstate Park: choose the activity before the entrance
The historical listing combines Ratliff Hole, Pool Point and Grassy Creek near the Kentucky-Virginia boundary. It should not be read as three confirmed swimming entrances. The operator provides river-access and angling information, but current swimming authorization at these archived spots was not established.
Named river access has sunset gates
The current park information page identifies Ratliff Hole, Center Creek and Garden Hole as day-use river-access areas. Their gates lock at sunset; vehicles left behind can be fined or towed. Ask the park at 276-865-4413 for the chosen destination's present route and parking. The contact address, 627 Commission Circle in Breaks, Virginia, is not a swimming entrance.
Withdrawn Pool Point and Grassy Creek instructions
Do not swim across the Russell Fork to reach Pool Point, approach the railroad trestle or follow archived downed-tree landmarks as a current Grassy Creek route. Those directions have not been reverified. Obtain a lawful approach for the intended activity rather than treating old swimmer reports as permission.
The river is not a gentle family float
Quiet-looking pools can lead into rapids
The operator's fishing guidance describes slippery rocks, abrupt drop-offs and rapids beyond quieter sections. Its advice against wading above a stated flow is not a safe-swimming threshold below that number. Neither clear appearance nor an angling access page proves tested bathing-water quality or safe depth.
Whitewater ratings are not swim suitability ratings
The park's whitewater page describes demanding sections, including Class IV-V in the gorge and Class III below Ratliff Hole. It cautions that this is not a leisure float and is for experienced paddlers. The previous gentle-current, family-friendly tubing and cliff-jumping recommendations are withdrawn. This review establishes no safe jumping area or rope-swing authorization.
A developed pool is a separate seasonal plan
Check Splash's current opening before booking
Splash in the Park is a separately ticketed waterpark with pools, slides and its own rules. Checked October 14, 2026, its page says it is closed for the season and announces Memorial Day 2027 reopening. Do not plan an October pool visit. The published admission categories depend on height or age, with advance admission priced separately; confirm the exact ticket and current terms. Its lifeguard rules and developed facilities do not describe riverbank supervision.
Keep admission and camping separate
The current park page lists $3 car admission and a $50 park pass, not universal free entry to every approach. Waterpark tickets and booked overnight stays are separate costs. Campgrounds A/B/C are described as seasonal, while D and the yurt are listed year-round; verify availability and chosen-site facilities directly. No campsite, restroom, rental shack or accessible river entrance is promised at every historical swimming spot.
Getting There
Choose a named park access and obtain current operator directions before travel. The operator identifies Ratliff Hole, Center Creek and Garden Hole day-use areas. Do not follow the old Pool Point route requiring a swim across the river, access the trestle or use downed trees as Grassy Creek navigation markers. Park contact address is 627 Commission Circle, Breaks, VA 24607; it is not a verified river entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Operator says Ratliff Hole, Center Creek and Garden Hole gates lock at sunset, with late vehicles subject to fines or towing. Fishing-page access via Grassy Creek Trail is not verification of the archived swim route. No step-free river-entry route established.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
No jumping, diving, rope-swing or cross-river access recommendation retained. Confirm current permission for each river location. Follow the separate waterpark rules only when that facility is operating. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Pool Point
Scenic spot
4.8 (14)
Patty Loveless Dr, Elkhorn City, KY 41522
Ratliff Hole River Access Point
Park
4 (8)
181 Breaks Pk Rd, Elkhorn City, KY 41522
Elkhorn Creek Riders Retreat
Campground
11290 Ashcamp Rd, Elkhorn City, KY 41522
Restroom
Public bathroom
5 (1)
1708 Kincaid Pk Dr, Falmouth, KY 41040
Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Visitor center
4.7 (8968)
Quarters 43, 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Restroom
Big South Fork NRRA - Stearns Ranger Station
Association / Organization
4.3 (8)
300 Wilburn K. Ross Hwy, Stearns, KY 42647
Welcome Center
Visitor center
4.8 (91)
Welcome Center, Ic-8024A, Olive Hill, KY 41164
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Breaks Interstate Park Swimming Spots
Are Ratliff Hole, Pool Point and Grassy Creek confirmed swim entrances?
Current swimming permission at the three archived spots was not established. The operator's named river-access and fishing information is not a swimming clearance.
When do river-access gates close?
The operator says Ratliff Hole, Center Creek and Garden Hole day-use gates lock at sunset. Late vehicles may be fined or towed; check current access before departure.
Can I swim across to Pool Point or jump from the cliffs?
Those recommendations have been withdrawn. No cross-river access route, safe jumping depth, trestle access or rope-swing authorization was verified.
Is the Russell Fork a gentle tubing river?
Not according to the park's whitewater guidance. It describes demanding rapids and warns that the river is not a leisure float. A quiet-looking section is not proof of safe downstream conditions.
Is the waterpark available in October?
As checked October 14, 2026, Splash's operator page says it is seasonally closed and announces Memorial Day 2027 reopening. Check that separate facility's current calendar and ticket terms before booking.
Are admission, facilities and camping included everywhere?
No. Current park car admission is listed at $3 and a park pass at $50; pool tickets and camping are separate. A/B/C campgrounds are seasonal while D and the yurt are listed year-round. These are not universal riverbank amenities.
Highlights
Sunset river-access gate information
Park and waterpark costs separated
Seasonal pool status clearly identified
Dangerous archived access advice withdrawn
Unique Features
Kentucky-Virginia boundary park
Russell Fork technical whitewater distinguished from a leisure swim
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not cross the river as an access route, jump from cliffs or use a rope swing
- The operator's fishing guidance warns of slippery footing, drop-offs and rapids below quieter pools; its flow limit is a warning against wading, not a safe-swimming threshold
- Current depth, bathing-water quality and river supervision not established
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
A jointly named Kentucky-Virginia park with distinct river-access, camping and developed recreation facilities; one historical listing does not describe every park service.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Use lawful park viewpoints and permitted trails. No location-confirmed gallery for all three archived swimming spots is approved; scenery would not establish safe water or entrance permission.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Use permitted trails and access, respect signs and property boundaries, protect banks and carry out litter. Do not enter railroad infrastructure or create an informal creek route.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan the chosen activity using current operator notices. As checked October 14, the waterpark is seasonally closed and announces reopening Memorial Day 2027. Do not substitute a summer swim promise for a current river assessment.
Difficulty Level
Operator describes slippery rock and abrupt drop-offs for river wading, and demanding whitewater. No gentle-current, easy-access or child-safe classification retained.
Fee
Current park page lists $3 per car day admission and a $50 park pass. These are not a verified fee schedule for every river approach. Waterpark tickets and camping are separate; confirm charges before booking.
Facilities
Do not treat all park facilities as amenities at Ratliff Hole, Pool Point or Grassy Creek. The previous seasonal raft-shack claim was not verified. Splash is a developed pool facility, not infrastructure at a natural hole.
Activities
Park sightseeing, hiking and permitted fishing; technical whitewater only for suitably experienced paddlers. Separate seasonal waterpark swimming requires its own admission and opening check.
Phone
276-865-4413 (Breaks Interstate Park); visitor center extension 3221
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Operator lists campgrounds A/B/C as seasonal, with campground D and the yurt year-round. Confirm reservations, current availability and chosen-site facilities. River day-use access is not overnight permission.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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