Payne Gap, KY

Tucked into the Appalachian mountains of Letcher County, Payne Gap is a quiet community of around 350 residents sitting right along the Virginia state line. Life here follows the winding ridges and hollows along U.S. Route 119, with neighboring Jenkins close by for everyday groceries and services. Outdoor recreation is practically in the backyard thanks to nearby Fishpond Lake, where locals head for peaceful fishing, lakeside camping, and exploring the surrounding ATV trails. It is a scenic pocket of eastern Kentucky that offers slow-paced rural living rooted in local coal country history.