Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a premier West Virginia destination for wildlife viewing, hiking, and cross-country skiing across a rare high-elevation landscape.
At a Glance
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge protects 16,000 acres of the largest high-elevation valley east of the Rockies, offering over 30 miles of trails through open meadows, red spruce groves, and extensive wetlands. Visitors can hike the Blackwater View Trail, explore Camp 70 Trails, or ski cross-country through landscapes teeming with migratory songbirds, black bear, and deer. Once heavily logged and mined, the valley has been restored into a premier wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation destination accessible from Davis and Thomas.
Activities
- Hiking
- Biking
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Boating
- ADA
Features
- Mountain Views
- Rivers
- Wetland
- Wildflowers
- Interpretive Signage
- Visitors Center
Difficulty
Season
All Year; Day-Use
Area Trails
TEMPLATE TO CLONE & EDIT FROM
Length: 25.3 Miles
Elevation: 500 ft ↑ 700 ↓ (Elkins Trailhead)
Surface: Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel
- Hiking
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
The Allegheny Highlands Trail is open to hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers. E-Bikes are permitted on the trail, but remember, no E-Bikes are allowed in the Monongahela National Forest- including the Blackwater Canyon Trail.
Brown Mountain Overlook Trail
Brown Mountain Trail
Bog Overlook
Camp 70 Trail
Chris Clower Trail
Middle Valley Trail
Sand Run Trail
Cabin Mountain Trail
Blackwater View West Trail
Beall North Trail
Beall South Trail
Farm View Trail
South Glade Crossing Trail
Shady Hollow Trail
Fishing Hook Trail
Wilderness Way Trail
Rivers Edge Trail
Idlemans Run Trail
A-Frame Road Trail
Recreation Sites
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Safety
Boardwalk trails in the refuge may be slippery after precipitation.
Please stay on marked trails to protect sensitive habitat.
Cell service may not be available during your hike. Please plan accordingly and always follow Leave No Trace principles.
While Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes are permitted in the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, use is prohibited within the Monongahela National Forest. Click here for more information about USFS e-bike policies.
During hunting season, stay on established trails, wear bright colors like blaze orange, and make your presence known to ensure safety for all forest users.”
Directions
Multiple trailhead access points are available for the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge. From Thomas and Davis, travel south on WV-32; the refuge offices will be on the right. From Elkins, travel east on US-33 to Harman, then turn right onto WV-32 to the refuge office. From Seneca Rocks, travel north on US-33, continuing north at Harman onto WV-32 until arriving at the refuge.
Nearby Towns
Downtown
15 Minutes
30 Minutes
60 Minutes
