Discover Pike County: Heritage, Water and Mountains

Fishtrap Lake is a 1,130-acre reservoir in Pike County, Kentucky. Steep, lushly vegetated mountains surround the water; the lake is also a haven for native wildlife, particularly deer. Along with historical exhibits, river trails and hiking opportunities, Pike County offers a variety of themes to consider when planning a trip. Start by deciding whether you want to focus your stay more on culture, nature or activities on the water.

Cultural History and Memorial Sites

In Pikeville, the Big Sandy Heritage Museum presents historical exhibits about the coal industry. Other topics include the development of local education, which the museum covers through artifacts, photographs and videos, as well as a timeline of American Civil War events in Pikeville. The Hatfield-McCoy Festival takes place annually and helps visitors better understand the feud and the region’s history.

The Pike County Heritage Hall presents the county’s history through display cases and old photographs. Its topics range from Native American prehistory to agriculture, industry and commerce, as well as politics and coal mining. In this way, it brings different chapters of regional history together rather than focusing on a single subject.

Dils Cemetery is also connected to the history of the Hatfield-McCoy feud: The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic District and is described as the first integrated cemetery in eastern Kentucky. Randolph McCoy, Sarah McCoy, Roseanna McCoy, Sam McCoy and Martha McCoy are buried there. The Dils/York House offers historical exhibits, educational programs about regional history and interactive art.

The Appalachian Center for the Arts is a venue in downtown Pikeville for performing and visual arts, as well as music; it also offers community cultural programs. Appalachian Wireless Arena is also in the heart of downtown and serves as a center for culture, education and entertainment, as well as an event and conference venue. Those who want to explore the feud beyond individual sites can also take the self-guided Hatfield & McCoy Feud Historic Driving Tour through the rugged and scenic mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia.

Mountain Scenery, Trails and Wildlife

At Breaks Interstate Park, forests, cliffs and the Russell Fork River attract dozens of bird species. Hiking trails range from options for beginners to routes for people with advanced experience. The Canyon Rim Zipline offers another perspective on the steep rock cliffs of the Russell Fork River Gorge, following the cliffs from one viewpoint to the next. The park visitor center provides directions, maps and hiking trail guides.

Fishtrap Lake also offers several ways to spend time outdoors. Boat launch ramps are located at the dam and in the Grapevine and Lick Creek recreation areas. The Grapevine Campground on the lake has 36 campsites. The scenery around the reservoir and its wildlife offer a different focus from the hiking trails and viewpoints at Breaks Interstate Park.

For comparisons by trail length, the Bob Amos Trails offer five different routes ranging from 0.25 to 4.7 miles. The Real McCoy Trail also begins in Bob Amos Park and is 4.5 miles long in total. There is also a 3.0-mile multi-use trail that begins and ends at the track. The track itself has seven lanes and is suitable for walking and running.

Water Activities and Local Products

At Laurel Lake in Breaks Interstate Park, pedal boats, kayaks and canoes are available to rent seasonally, by the hour or half-hour. Options therefore vary by both boat type and rental duration. Those considering a trip on the Hatfield-McCoy River Trail will find a different kind of outing: a two-hour kayak tour passes the Pikeville Cut-Thru Project, a man-made channel for which a mountain and a river were relocated.

The Hatfield-McCoy River Trail is recognized as a Kentucky Blue Water Trail. Its section along the Levisa Fork has gentle rapids and flowing shoals and is suitable for canoes, kayaks and small one-person pontoon boats. The kayak tour runs on Class 1 waters and is suitable for beginners and families. This makes it possible to assess the tour in terms of a specific time frame and a designated water class; it is a different kind of outing from the seasonal boat rentals at Laurel Lake.

The Pikeville Farmers Market can also play a part in trip planning. Offerings include Appalachia Proud fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jams, honey, preserved goods and herbal teas. Along with the museums and historic sites, the market offers an everyday complement to the nature and water activities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Pikeville, Jenkins, Canada, Hart County, Logan, Mercer County, McCreary County, Bell County.

For the main travel overview: Kentucky.