Canaan Valley Resort State Park, West Virginia

Nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains, Canaan Valley Resort State Park is in scenic Tucker County. It’s the highest elevated valley east of the Mississippi River, with an average elevation of 3,200 feet. Home to wetlands and unique plant life not often found in the eastern United States, the park has more than 18 miles of marked trails that you can hike or run year-round. One of the things that I thoroughly enjoyed when I stayed at this park was that the deer were very friendly here and they would come up and eat apples out of your hand. Also, it was fun to ride the ski lift (which operates year-round) to the top of the mountain and see very beautiful views from the top. I remember while staying at this state park I had a chance to hike to the top of Bald Knob which is the third highest mountain (altitude of 4,843 feet) in West Virginia.

Driving to this park is also a real treat as this section of West Virginia is part of the Appalachians and there are not many sections of road in West Virginia that are straight and level. Most roads are very scenic and have a lot of curves and are usually climbing or descending. In 1957, the state of West Virginia made its first land acquisition with an eye toward further developing a ski industry in West Virginia. The land was granted to the state in the 1950s for the formation of a state park with the stipulation that the state makes a matching 3,000-acre acquisition. The state would go on to claim more than 30 properties between 1964 and 1970. It took until 1971, that the Canaan Valley Resort State Park was established centering on the ski slopes at the southern end of the Valley and eventually encompassing around 25000 acres. In 1972, an 18-hole golf course was also constructed there. The lodge at Canaan Valley State Park opened in 1977.

You’ll find plenty to do at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. In addition to being one of the best ski resorts in West Virginia, Canaan Valley has fun activities like geocaching, paragliding, golf in the spring, summer, and fall, and countless other activities like hayrides, horseback riding, lots of hiking, and almost 100 miles of single track mountain biking are available.

—-Location—-

Approximately 3 hours Southeast of Pittsburgh, to get to Canaan Valley from the north, take I-79 S. to Morgantown, WV. From Morgantown, take I 68 E. to route 42 S. Route had Friendsville, Maryland. Then follow Route 119 S. until it intersects with route 219 S. at McHenry, Maryland. Stay on route to 19 S. through Oakland, Maryland to Thomas West Virginia, and at Thomas take Route 32 S. into Canaan Valley.

—-Park Camping—-

This campground has 34 paved wooded sites with full hookup and has access to a laundry and shower facility. The campground is open from Memorial Day to October 31 each year. Also, here are 23 cabins and cottages that come with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, optional maid service is available for the cabins. The state park also has a 160-room lodge with all the features that you would expect a resort location to have.

—-Free Camping—-

Based on https://freecampsites.net/#!Davis,West%20Virginia there are 7 free campsites within 25 miles of Davis, West Virginia.

—-Area Camping—-

https://www.hipcamp.com/discover/west-virginia/canaan-valley-resort
http://www.stateparks.com/canaan_valley.html
https://www.allstays.com/Campgrounds-details/33671.htm
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/wv/davis/canaan-valley-state-park-3210
https://www.goodsam.com/campgrounds-rv-parks/details/default.aspx?cgid=800001935
https://www.campendium.com/canaan-valley-resort-state-park

—-Hiking & Biking & Horseback Riding—-

The longest trail in the park is the 3-mile Black Hollow Trail. All others are less than 3 miles, and most are less than 2. However, many of the trails are interconnected and can be combined. Most of the trails are good for beginners because they are easy to navigate, but a few have more difficult sections and cross several streams. The most difficult trail in the park is the Bald Knob Trail, with an elevation of 4,308 feet.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/west-virginia/canaan-valley-state-park
https://www.traillink.com/trail/davis-trail/
https://rootsrated.com/west-virginia-wv/canaan-valley-state-park-trail-running
https://www.singletracks.com/West-Virginia-bike-trails_DavisCanaan%20Valley
https://www.trailforks.com/region/canaan-valley-resort-state-park-16509/
http://www.canaanvalley.org/outdoor-recreation/horseback-riding
https://www.goldenanchorcabins.com/enhancements/canaan-valley-by-horseback-trail

—-Things to do—-

I was delighted to know that there are lots of fun things to do in the area around Canaan Valley. The Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, which is unique because the plants that exist within this 10,215-acre tract of land are normally found much farther north. The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a hiker’s paradise with its 20 miles of public trails. Also while you’re here, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a flying squirrel, or perhaps a black bear. I also got a chance to visit the Seneca Rocks formation and explored it and very much enjoyed seeing this natural wonder.

http://canaanvalley.org/see-do

Things to Do

Scenic Train Rides

Activities

http://www.tuckerwv.com/attractions/
http://canaanvalley.org/see-do/sightseeing/falls
http://www.skisoutheast.com/resorts/canaan-valley-resort/things/