Got tired of the same boring routine and want a break from it? Then you should visit the Canaan Valley. As this place provides a calm and refreshing escape from all the materialistic world into nature. The Valley is situated in Tucker County, West Virginia US, surrounded by the Allegheny mountains. It is known for its peaceful landscapes and outdoor activities which run all year round. In this place you will find all types of activities from outdoor, adventurous to Relaxation. This place is a mixture of fun and peace and provides endless opportunities to explore. Whether you visit in summer or winter you are gonna enjoy every little moment. This blog helps you to cover everything including its activities, diverse wildlife, nearby attractions and tips to plan a perfect trip.
Top Attractions in Canaan Valley West Virginia
See these defined top attractions, in Canaan Valley, aiding your trip in unforgettable and exotic ventures.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
This state park achieves ranks in largest parks in West Virginia because it provides visitors with hiking, biking, climbing and various other activities throughout the entire year. Also it provides visitors with aerial views of the valley, as the beauty of the valley and its surrounding nature will blow your mind. The park is located on a high plateau in the Allegheny mountain and has a full service lodge, cabins and campgrounds. The lodges feature 100+ guest rooms and suites, a restaurant, cafe, fitness center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Along with this, the valley is a major golf and ski resort. The resort is $9 per room per night where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and peace of your surroundings while including in all of the fine accommodations and adventures the area has to offer.
Blackwater Falls State Park
The Beautiful park nestled in the heart of West Virginia known for its amber waters of Blackwaters Falls. You will not only enjoy the falls but also the 20 miles of hiking trails, largest sledding magic carpet on the East Coast, a comfy lodge and much more. The park provides different activities which include hiking on scenic trails and horseback riding through beautiful open fields. The vibrant foliage and rugged canyons create stunning breathing views which need to be captured. You can see scenic points in this park or explore through Elakala Falls , Lindy Point, Pendleton Falls and Blackwater River.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
A large & wonderful area known for its expensive landscape, unique plant life and hiking trails. This place is located in eastern West Virginia and is a part of the Monongahela National Park. Here you will see dry land, rocky plains along with the spruce forests. The terrain makes the area especially popular for photographers and bird watchers. And, also for several trails like the bear rocks trail, Raven Ridge trail, Rocky Point trail and more. Therefore, this place will provide you with a lot of fun and unforgettable experiences, especially on the trails.
Timberline Mountain
Timberline Mountain is the premier ski area in West Virginia with 2 chairlifts including the first high speed lift in the state. This place offers a variety of slopes for all skill levels. It’s a scenic destination for adventures to explore in winter and for this you will need more than 3 hours to explore the mountain. Also, visitors can relax in the renovated and expanded base lodge, where they can grab a bite at the Slippery Slope Bar and Grill. For doing the activities you can purchase the basic activities from the nearby Timberline Resort where you can see the Bike rentals, hiking accessories, and a lift access to the top of the mountains. The ski area features 22 miles of trails along with 2 terrain parks which provide various skiing options. The ski area provides multiple types of terrain which accommodate skiers of every ability level.
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge is the largest contiguous, high elevation wetland complex in West Virginia. It shelters a vast assemblage of rare plants and animals normally associated with more northern latitude. It is a 16000-acre refuge conserving the largest high elevation valley east of the Rockies. With 31 miles of roads and trails for hiking, 23 miles for biking and horseback riding, and 10 miles for cross country ski trails. This place is also open for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography, also it includes around 198 species of birds. Be prepared to have a great time visiting the park. A visit to the trails can be arranged one hour before sunrise and will be limited to one hour after sunsets.
Seasonal Guide for Visiting
Summer
Summer offers pleasant weather in Canaan Valley with many adventurous activities. Sometimes the temperature can be high and feels mild and humid, but cool. In this season you can enjoy top attractions and activities like swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking and the superb sunset view. Along with this, the nature lover and photography enthusiasts can capture many beautiful moments of the valley. That include a diverse range of plants, animals and around 200 species of birds.
Spring
Spring comes with blooming wildflowers and fresh greenery and also it’s a great time for hiking and visiting waterfalls. The falls look more pleasant in this season which makes it a memorable stop for everyone. You can enjoy the activities with stunning views and also get an opportunity to click pictures. People who want to explore more, can get towards the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Elakala Falls and events like Wildflower Pilgrimage.
Fall
Autumn is widely appreciated for its red, gold and orange trees, making it a beautiful place to throw in a little bit of photography. Not casually, but here the adventure activities are the real reason why people love to visit this resort in falls. And, those are its Nature hikes, sunrise view from the mountain’s top, mountain biking, golf, sporting clays, scenic chairlift ride.
Winter
The winter season offers various snow sports at Timberline Mountain including snowboarding, snow tubing, skiing and more with different trails also. The White Grass touring center is one of the top spots for outdoor activity. In the center you will see the snow covered field, which creates a magical experience. But try to come in early winters as in late December, sometimes the snow gets limited. But, the snowfall is usually reliable through the peak winter months. All these activities are done at the Canaan Valley State Park and the Timberline Four Seasons Park.
Where to Stay Near Canaan Valley
There are various hotels, motels and resorts where you can get any kind of room from luxurious to affordable. Here’s the list of some of the best and affordable stays near Canaan Valley.
The Inn at Canaan
A newly renovated motel with charming style and cozy comfort facilities. It offers modern lavish rooms, an inside pool, complimentary breakfast, and the beautiful view of nature, splendor in Canaan Valley. This motel is situated in the Tucker County of West Virginia. And, the Timberline Mountain, Canaan Resort and White Grass Nordic Ski Center are all within a five minute drive. No matter in which season you are going, the Inn is the perfect place to stay with the cost of around $143.
Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge
A beautiful lodge offering comfortable rooms with multiple indoor and outdoor activities. It is located on the Blackwater Canyon’s south rim and provides a large view of the forest area. The property amenities include an indoor pool, a full service restaurant, free parking spot and many family friendly activities. The staff are also extremely friendly and helpful. Opening hours of the lodge are from 6am to 10pm with the cost of around $131.
Canaan Valley Resort Campground and Cabins
The resort offers almost 59 campsites and 2 primitive tent sites. All these are paved sites with access to hiking trails, and offer basic amenities like electric, water and sewer and such more. On the other hand, you can go for the cabins. All the cabins and cottages have wood burning fireplaces, grills, picnic tables, and furnished kitchens. The cost for one night stay is around $59 in the prime season which is from May to October. And for the off season which is from November to April, the cost is $29.
Hampton Inn Elkins
This hotel of West Virginia located just 2 miles south of Downtown Elkins with a short drive of all major area attractions. It is a huge hotel occupying space from the foothills entrance to the Allegheny National Forest in West Virginia. Whether you are travelling to just relax your mind or for business purposes, you will definitely get exactly what you need. The hotel amenities include spacious and well organised rooms, free breakfast and parking, big meeting rooms, business center, indoor pool and much more. The staying cost of the hotel per night is $126 approx.
Why Visit Canaan Valley West Virginia
Canaan Valley is a must visiting spot as it offers endless activities, stunning views and provides unforgettable experience. Whether you are planning a day trip or a week in this lush valley, you are gonna enjoy every little moment. From outdoor activities like hiking, biking, snow sports, fishing, boating or golf to relaxing activities like bird watching, photography, or just sightseeing the natural views all these will keep you busy. Also for convenience the place offers exclusive lodging and dining facilities with multiple options from resort hotels and cabins to camping. Therefore, at this place you will easily experience the unique beauty of nature.
Nearby Attractions at Canaan Valley
Smoke Hole Caverns
It is an awesome place that provides a view of the life below the surface to the visitors. Smoke Hole Caverns is located in the Pendleton Country where you will see the scenic beauty of the West Virginia mountains. It offers multiple guided cave tours with unique rock formations. So it is recommended to bring a jacket and a pair of comfortable shoes, as the cavern temperature stays high.
Spruce Knob
It is the only highest point in West Virginia where visitors can enjoy the panoramic views and a peaceful natural setting. The mountain is located in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia and is about 400 acre high hill preserved by nature. Even in the mid summer, the top of this mountain provides a refreshing cool escape from the heat and humidity. When you visit here, you will see the color of autumn blends with greens of conifers and flowers, also some shrubs that refuse to succumb to the changing season.
Seneca Rocks
It is a famous rock formation rising nearly 900 feet. These amazing rocks are miles away from the nearest interstate. The town was originally called the ‘Mouth of Seneca’ named for its location at the mouth of Seneca Creek which is currently a very popular fishing spot. And also for hiking and rock climbing, offering incredible views from the top. The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center starts one and three miles behind a self-guided interpretive trip that can be taken. That offers the non-climber a way to reach the lofty heights of the rocks and view the scenic valley below.
Sample Itinerary (1–2 Days)
If you are visiting Canaan Valley for a 2 days trip then you can read out this itinerary which can help you in your journey.
Day 1: During your journey to the Canaan Valley half of your day will be spent on travel. So after that when you reach, get to the blackwater falls state park to see its namesake 57 foot amber colored waterfall, and also its other trails like the Boardwalk trail, Elakala falls. After that, have lunch in the town of Davis at the Sirianni’s Cafe or the Hellbender Burritos. Then drive to the Lindy point trailhead for a short hike of around 1 mile. And in the evening visit the neighboring town of Thomas to browse art galleries and shop along historic front street. Then End your day at the Purple Fiddle for live music and a casual dinner.
Day 2: Wake up early to hike the Bald Knob for a sunrise view or explore the Canaan valley national wildlife refuge. For lunch go to the Hickory Dining room at CV resort state park lodge which offers mountain views.
Best Things to Do in Canaan Valley
Outdoor Activities
For outdoor activities you can do any activity like hiking, where you can go for short or challenging hikes. The Canaan Valley State Park offers a full 18 miles of trails to hike or bike on. Also the 22 miles of trail open for mountain biking. If you are a first time hiker or biker, there are guides available to accompany you on your adventure through the woodlands. Another activity you can do is wildlife watching and for this, there are numerous birds to be spotted on the refuge. These can be found along every trail on the refuge. Some other animals which may possibly be seen are whitetail deer, black bear, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, fisher, fox, coyote etc.
Adventure Activities
For adventurous activities you can have activities like fishing. This is an outstanding activity and you will love to take part in this, but be sure to bring the fishing license. Some of the top spots for this include the canaan valley wildlife refuge, pendleton lake, and the blackwater river. The refuge waters include 14 miles of blackwater river and 4 of its tributaries as well as two beaver ponds. The next thing you can do is cross country skiing, that is a great way to get outside in the winter. All refuge trails are open for cross-country skiing with the exception of the Freeland boardwalk trail.
Travel Tips for Canaan Valley
Here are some of the tips regarding your journey towards Canaan Valley.
- To enter the Refuge you do not have to pay any kind of entry fee and also not for the activities like hiking, biking, photography. But, for some resort activities like golf, skiing, snowboarding there is a fee range between $45 to $80.
- Pack a pair of comfortable shoes, lightweight layers as the weather can vary and sunscreen to protect your skin from summer.
- Don’t forget to take some hiking gears such as backpack, hiking boots or reusable water bottle and most important Map.
- Go easy as the forest roads like the Dolly Sods are very rocky, narrow and often muddy in summer and closed in winter.
- Check the weather altitude, as the Canaan valley is located on a high plateau and often significantly gets colder or warmer.
Conclusion
Now it’s time to end the blog. Hope you enjoy it and get all the information regarding Canaan Valley. The Canaan Valley is a perfect destination for all nature lovers and adventure seekers. Visiting here you will find different unique things from diverse wildlife and scenic landscapes to year round activities. This beautiful valley offers a calm and relaxing atmosphere, and also provides staying facilities in the park including lodges, cabins and campground. Not only this , you can also stay in the nearby hotels and enjoy many other attractions around. Whether you are planning for a quick weekend escape or longer holidays, this journey promises a memorable experience.