Local lawmakers in Eastern Kentucky have outlined plans for a proposed luxury RV and motorcoach park near the entrance to Breaks Interstate Park, with state funding expected to be included in Kentucky’s 2028-29 biennium budget if approved during the next budget cycle.
The proposed development was discussed by Rep. Mitchum “Mitch” Whitaker, R-Fleming-Neon, during the Republican Party of Pike County’s monthly meeting on July 20 and by Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, during a Pikeville Rotary Club meeting on July 22. Both legislators said the project is intended to support tourism growth on the Kentucky side of Breaks Interstate Park and the surrounding Elkhorn City area.
According to the Appalachian News-Express, the planned facility would be a state-of-the-art motorcoach resort with space for 48 RV or motorcoach units. The proposed site is located on land created during construction of the new U.S. 460 near the Kentucky-Virginia state line, placing it near one of the primary gateways into Kentucky for visitors traveling from Virginia.
Speaking during the July 20 meeting, Whitaker highlighted the area’s tourism potential.
“Elkhorn City is in my district, and it is just an absolutely beautiful place; as you all know, it is a real gem,” he said during the RPPC meeting. “That place is ripe for development, and I am excited to see what it has in the future. The new park will be the first thing you will see coming into Kentucky from Virginia once this is done.”
Following the meeting, Whitaker said the project is intended to complement broader tourism initiatives in the region.
“This will be an important step in developing our side of the Breaks Interstate Park and other tourism efforts in the Elkhorn City area,” Whitaker told the News-Express following the meeting. “I recently toured several areas with the mayor, and they are wanting to do some great things over there.”
Whitaker also noted that much of the existing tourism infrastructure associated with Breaks Interstate Park is located on the Virginia side, and he would like to see additional visitor amenities developed in Kentucky.
Wheeler echoed that goal during the Pikeville Rotary Club meeting on July 22, describing the proposed $4 million RV park as part of broader efforts to encourage future tourism-related investment on the Kentucky side of Breaks Interstate Park. According to both legislators, funding for the project has been included in the next biennium’s budget, which would take effect during the commonwealth’s 2028-29 fiscal year.
If funded and completed as described, the development would add a new purpose-built motorcoach destination to Eastern Kentucky’s outdoor hospitality offerings while serving visitors traveling to Breaks Interstate Park and nearby recreational attractions.
For campground operators, RV resort developers, and investors, the proposal reflects how state governments continue to view outdoor hospitality infrastructure as part of broader regional tourism and economic development strategies.
Public investment in RV accommodations, particularly near established outdoor recreation destinations, may create opportunities for complementary private-sector businesses, including campgrounds, glamping accommodations, food and beverage services, outdoor recreation providers, and local tourism operators.
The project also illustrates how transportation improvements and gateway locations can influence site selection for future RV resort developments.
During their respective appearances, both legislators also discussed other accomplishments from the most recent session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Whitaker referenced changes to statutes concerning wild or feral horses that he said would help counties address issues affecting areas such as Phelps and Freeburn, while Wheeler highlighted transportation funding, support for a new childcare center at Pikeville Medical Center, and additional projects across his legislative district.