GATEWAYS TO ADVENTURE
A Regional Outdoor Recreation Initiative for Buchanan and Dickenson Counties in Southwest Virginia.
Plan Purpose
Buchanan and Dickenson Counties are home to some of the most significant outdoor recreation assets in Southwest Virginia, anchored by Breaks Interstate Park as a major destination driver for the area. Together, the park and the surrounding communities offer a distinctive combination of natural landscapes, outdoor recreation experiences, and authentic community character.
This initiative provides an opportunity to establish a shared vision for the future, identify priorities, and explore ways to build upon Breaks Interstate Park’s role as a destination driver while strengthening connections to outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Buchanan and Dickenson Counties. The plan will consider how these assets can work together to enhance the visitor experience, support localities, protect and celebrate the area’s landscapes, and create greater economic and community benefit from outdoor recreation.
- Project Funding: Appalachian Regional Commission & Thompson Charitable Foundation
- In Partnership with: Buchanan County, Dickenson County, & Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission
- Leadership: Friends of Southwest Virginia
- Planning Consultant: SE Group
- Timeline: July 2026 – February 2027
- Final Result: one unified Regional Plan and 2 county-specific plans
Project Timeline
- September 21, 2026
- Community Survey Opens – take it here!
- September 21 – 24 , 2026
- First site visits in both counties.
Join us for the open house!
- First site visits in both counties.
- October 21, 2026
- Community survey closes
- Early November 2026
- Design team in town to visit proposed site improvements
- Late November 2026
- Draft plans reviewed by the project management team
- January 2027
- Final document revisions
- February 2027
- Final plan complete
Project Management Team
| Team Member | Title | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Bradley | Park Superintendent | Breaks Interstate Park |
| Dana Cronkhite | Director of Economic Development & Tourism | Dickenson County |
| Kim Davis | Executive Director | Friends of SWVA |
| Jordan Dillon | Director of Economic Development | Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission |
| Traci Evans | Assistant Director of Tourism | Buchanan County |
| Paula Hurt | Director of Finance and Human Resources | Friends of SWVA |
| Jen Otey | Outdoor Recreation Development Manager | Friends of SWVA |
| Sabrina Stanley | Communications and Community Engagement, Department of Economic Development | Dickenson County |
| Ryan Vaughan | Director of Marketing | Friends of SWVA |
| Ida Williams | SE Group Project Manager | SE Group |
Project Goals
- Strengthen the Regional Outdoor Economy
- Enhance Community Well-Being and Quality of Life
- Identify and Prioritize Investment ready outdoor recreation opportunities
Deliverables
Buchanan-Dickenson Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy
- Regional vision and goals
- Priority recreation corridors and destination connections
- Concept designs for 5-6 catalytic recreation projects
- Funding and grant readiness strategy
County Outdoor Recreation Master Plans
- Countywide recreation asset inventory and mapping
- Opportunities and needs assessment
- Recreation development and connectivity recommendations
- Priority projects and implementation roadmap
Get Involved
Make your voice heard and stay involved. Take the survey or attend an event in person!
Take the Community Survey
A ten-minute survey open to residents and visitors, shaping priorities across both counties.
Thank you for sharing your input!
Thank you to everyone who has participated so far! The growing number of points on the map shows the range of ideas and opportunities community members see for the future of outdoor recreation across the region.
Join us at Elk Fest and share your input!
The Gateways to Adventure project team will be at Elk Fest and would love to connect! Find our table and share your input on outdoor recreation in Buchanan and Dickenson Counties.
BUCHANAN COUNTY
Buchanan County has the foundations of a strong recreation destination. In December 2025, Breaks Interstate Park acquired the Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure site, now operating its campground and the Coal Canyon trailhead on county-owned land. It’s the anchor for a growing outdoor recreation ecosystem, backed by two nearby institutions of higher education, a world-class river and a downtown ready for more visitor spending
Already in Motion
Southern Gap acquisition
Breaks Interstate Park now operates the campground (5 cabins, 19 RV sites, 14 back-in sites) and the Coal Canyon trailhead.
Coal Canyon connectivity
Now linked to the Ridgeview Trail, connecting Buchanan’s ATV network toward Grundy and Haysi.
Anchor institutions
Appalachian School of Law and Appalachian College of Pharmacy bring a built-in community of outdoor amenity users.
Elk Restoration and Viewing
A growing wildlife tourism draw on reclaimed lands, in partnership with Virginia DWR and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
What We’re Planning
Building the Buchanan County Master Plan
A countywide recreation inventory, gap assessment, and ranked capital projects, paired with concept designs for the county’s highest-potential sites.
- Countywide Asset Inventory
- Priority Capital Projects
- Concept Site Designs
- Cost Estimates & Funding Strategy
- Implementation Schedule
DICKENSON COUNTY
Dickenson County holds some of the region’s most significant public land assets, including the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA) trail system, Russell Fork blueway access, Flanagan Dam, River and Tailwaters with strong fish populations, The Dixon Range shooting sports attraction, and stretches of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Already in Motion
SRRA Trail System
Connected to Buchanan’s Coal Canyon system via the Coal Canyon corridor, forming one of the region’s largest connected ATV networks.
Federal Land Partnership
Active coordination with the U.S. Forest Service on management improvements for Jefferson National Forest parcels.
New Lodging Capacity
53-room Sleep Inn Suites signals growing visitor demand in Clintwood.
What We’re Planning
Building the Dickenson County Master Plan A countywide recreation inventory, gap assessment, and ranked capital projects, paired with concept designs for the county’s highest-potential sites.
- Countywide Asset Inventory
- Priority Capital Projects
- Concept Site Designs
- Cost Estimates & Funding Strategy
- Implementation Schedule
