Take in panoramic views, celebrate Appalachian history, and enjoy the Honey Festival in Breathitt County, Kentucky

In the Appalachian hills of Eastern Kentucky, the remote wilderness of Breathitt County will take your breath away. This scenic county is a great setting for a leisurely Sunday drive with the family, a motorcycle cruise, or a nature excursion.

Visitors to this area can get a gorgeous panoramic view at the Southfork Elk View. The blacktopped road to the overlook runs along a ridge with sweeping vistas of wetlands, ponds, and diverse plant and animal life. Off-roading is popular among those who prefer to travel deeper into the hills.

Outdoor adventure seekers are also often drawn to The Dawkins Line Rail Trail, which stretches for 36 miles, originating in Johnson County and ending in Evanston in Breathitt County. Built along an abandoned rail line, it is the largest rail-to-trail system in Kentucky.

Fishing enthusiasts love Panbowl Lake for its abundance of bass and crappie. The manmade lake was formed in 1963 when the North Fork of the Kentucky River was dammed for the construction of a local highway. The lake’s unique setting brings the serenity of nature to the county seat of Jackson.  

While in Jackson, grab a pizza or hoagie from the family-owned Variety Pizza or some good ol’ fashioned country cooking from Cozy Corner Café Restaurant. Then, enjoy the serenity of Douthitt Park, a great riverside spot to relax and stretch your legs. Its splash pad is a great place to cool off during the summer months.

History buffs will take note that the county, officially formed in 1839, has a storied past and was sometimes referred to as “Bloody Breathitt” for a number of notable post-Civil War feuds that took place here. Visit the Breathitt County Museum to explore this story further, and to revel in the county’s rich Appalachian heritage through exhibits examining the area’s logging, coal mining, farming, home life, education, and military history. Speaking of the military, Breathitt County stands out as the only county in the United States to fill its quota of World War I soldiers with volunteers!

Every Labor Day Weekend, downtown Jackson is abuzz with activity as locals and visitors alike attend the Breathitt County Honey Festival. Breathitt County led the state in honey production in 1800s and early 1900s, and this annual celebration is a testament to the area’s longstanding traditions and community spirit.

If you’re an RV owner looking for a place to stay, check out Roaring Shoals Farm, a Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market that raises Black Angus beef cattle. Hook up your rig and enjoy their expansive property, which includes wooded areas, grassy fields, rock formations, a creek, and even a waterfall! While you’re there, schedule a tour with the owners to see how they manage the day-to-day operations on their farm.  

Hometown agents. Because personal service still matters.

For your convenience, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance has an insurance agency located in Breathitt County. Click here for more information.

The 120 is a blog series produced by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance highlighting each of Kentucky's 120 counties—because we're well-known for knowing Kentucky well.