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Welcome to the stunning Canaan Valley Resort State Park, a true gem nestled in the heart of West Virginia! With its breathtaking landscapes, diverse recreational activities, and cozy accommodations, you’ll find yourself immersed in the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. From challenging hikes to scenic chairlift rides and delightful dining options, Canaan Valley has it all. Join me as we explore the highlights of this incredible destination and craft the perfect itinerary for a memorable day in the great outdoors!
Entrance Fee:
FREE
Lodging:
Canaan Valley Resort State Park boasts an impressive lodge with over 150 guest rooms and a range of amenities. In addition, there are 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom cabins nestled among the trees in some of the most scenic locations. The cabins even include pet-friendly options.
The park also offers a campground with 60 sites, all equipped with full hookups. While the campground is open year-round, please note that water is typically shut off from October through March.
If accommodations at Canaan Valley Resort State Park are fully booked, Blackwater Falls State Park is located just 7 miles away and also offers a lodge, cabins, and a beautiful campground. We have stayed at both parks, and would recommend either!
Dining:
This state park offers an impressive array of dining options, likely more than any other park I’ve explored! With a ski resort and a golf course on-site, it’s no wonder there’s so much to choose from.
Here’s a quick look at the dining choices available:
– Hickory Dining Room: Open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—confirm the exact hours before your visit.
– Laurel Lounge: Open daily at 5 PM, perfect for drinks and dinner.
– Seasons Café: A daily stop for coffee, ice cream, and pastries.
– Quenchers Pub: Slopeside and ready to serve during ski season, from December through March.
– Bear Paw Food Court: Also available during ski season, Fridays through Mondays.
For detailed menus and hours (they can change from day to day), be sure to check out the park’s website: Canaan Valley Dining.
Must Know Before You Go:
- The park is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
- The scenic chairlift ride to Bald Knob has limited weekday hours. Please check the website for availability- Scenic Chairlift. All hiking options to Bald Knob are listed below.
- While this is a one-day hiking itinerary, the various outdoor activities this park offers year-round are endless, and you could easily spend the week here. During the warmer months, they offer hiking, biking, golf, clay shooting, swimming, scavenger hunts, geocaching, and scenic chairlift rides. During the snow season, they offer skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and snow tubing.
- While sightings are rare, black bears are present in the area. Please review wildlife safety before heading out.
- Please print or grab a map before heading out on any trail. Each trail in the park will be marked with a different color blaze. Blaze colors are listed below. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
- As always, please follow Leave No Trace principles.
1 Day Itinerary
Bald Knob (Green)
Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 800+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the large lot near the snow tubing area.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restrooms at Trailhead: Yes
Start your day with an exciting hike to Bald Knob! You have two great options for reaching the summit.
The first option is to begin at the trailhead located in the southeast corner of the snow tubing parking lot. Follow the green blazes. This 1.1-mile uphill journey will provide a solid workout, so be prepared! However, the stunning views along the way will keep you motivated.
If you prefer a more relaxed ascent, you can take the scenic chairlift from the main ski resort parking lot. This option offers a gentle ride up the mountain, followed by a pleasant 1-mile walk to Bald Knob, minus the elevation gain. Just keep in mind that the chairlift operates only during the summer and fall months, with limited hours, so be sure to check ahead!
Here are the current chairlift costs: adults pay $20 per person, and juniors (ages 6-12) pay $15 per person. Closed-toe shoes are required for the lift.
Blackwater River Trail (Red)
Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Trail Route: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 30+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the large lot near the golf course at the end of Park Road.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restrooms at Trailhead: Yes
Starting from the northwest corner of the golf course parking area, this easy-to-follow loop is marked with red tree blazes. As you hike, you’ll be surrounded by majestic trees and meandering alongside the picturesque Blackwater River, all framed by breathtaking 4,000-foot mountains. Every season brings its own charm—lush greenery and vibrant blooms in spring and summer, brilliant fall foliage, and year-round stunning mountain and water views. You will even have the opportunity to see wildlife at various points along the way, as well as some evidence of their hard work. We loved checking out the beaver dam that spans much of the river in one section. Don’t forget to bring binoculars! Several spur trails lead right to the water’s edge, providing the perfect chance to observe the local creatures up close.
Optional Add-On
Abe Run (blue), Mill Run (orange), Deer Run (green) Loop
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the first lot on the right, off of Campground Drive.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
If you have some time and energy after completing the last two trails, consider adding this lovely 2-mile loop to your adventure! You can park in the Campground Drive lot and choose your direction to explore the stunning variety of landscapes, including grassy meadows, towering trees, and diverse wetlands. While wandering through the park’s beautiful wetlands, make sure you keep an eye out for wildlife! Please note that the trail can become muddy, and the boardwalks may be slick, so make sure to wear shoes with good traction. This route is also fantastic for winter snowshoeing!
I hope you have an incredible adventure!
Looking for another West Virginia itinerary? Check out our Babcock State Park Itinerary!
Check out all of our hiking gear and apparel below!
Are you a fellow RV traveler? Check out our RV favorites here- RV Travel
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