About This Park

Located on a high plateau in the Allegheny Mountains, Canaan Valley Resort State Park is a beautiful four-season destination. This mountain retreat is home to unparalleled natural beauty and recreational activities. Canaan Valley is a major golf and ski resort and one of West Virginia’s largest state parks. It has a full-service lodge, cabins and campgrounds, has been named one of America’s Best Parks by Arthur Frommer’s magazine, and has been listed among the 50 Great Places to Stay by Washingtonian Magazine. The resort website is here. 

Accommodations

Select an option below to learn more about the accommodations at this park.

Cabins

Camping

Lodge

Activities

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  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Snow Sports
  • Swimming
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Contact

History

Canaan Valley State Park was established in 1963 on 6,014 acres of land, part of which had been willed to the state by resident S. Maude Kaemmerling for recreational use. In 1971, the park opened its ski slopes on the 4,420 foot Weiss Knob. It was the state’s first ski resort and sparked a new industry in West Virginia. The park’s lodge has been managed by a private operator since the mid-1970s, but the state park system still provides certain services.

Dining

With multiple on-site restaurants, you’ll find dining options for all appetites at Canaan Valley Resort. Grab a quick bite before heading out for the day, or sit down with the family for a full meal. No matter what you’re craving, a tasty meal will be waiting for you. Visit canaanresort.com for more information, as menus and hours are subject to change. 

The Hickory Room– the main dining room offers daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner options every day throughout the year, as well as traditional holiday buffets. The glass-walled room features a panoramic view of the valley and a fireplace in the center, so every seat is the best one in the house.

Canaan Valley Resort also features the Laurel Lounge, Seasons Cafe, and Quenchers Pub. Each dining area has a unique feel to it and most importantly welcoming. 

To learn more about Canaan’s dining options, specials, seasonal hours, holiday dining events, and menus, click here for Canaan Resort’s dining page.

Trails

Download Park Trail Map

Bald Knob Trail

Access is at the top of the chair lift or ski area overflow parking lot. The trail ascends through meadows full of birds and butterflies to the top of Bald Knob (elevation 4,308 feet), offering a panoramic view of Canaan Valley.

Distance: 2.5-mile segment

Difficulty:  Most Difficult

Blackwater River Trail

This trail begins at the golf course parking lot, following the Blackwater River and passing through mixed northern hardwood stands and some of the largest big-toothed aspen in the park.

Distance:  1-mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

Monarch Trail

This trail can be accessed via Back Hollow Trail. Monarch butterfiles are drawn to the patches of milkweed in the open fields.

Distance: .25-mile segment

Difficulty: Easy

Railroad Grade Trail

Access points are the Cabin Area and Middle Ridge Trail. The trail follows the base of Canaan Mountain, passing through a hardwood forest and crossing several small streams.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Back Hollow Trail

The trail winds through open meadows and connects the Main Lodge and Cabin Area with the Nature Center.

Distance:  3 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult

Club Run Trail

The trail begins at the Cabin Area and follows a section of the Club Run tributary of the Blackwater River. The terrain of mixed forest shrub swamp wetland showcases a variety of wildflowers.

Distance:  1-mile loop

Difficulty:  More difficult

Ridge Top Trail

This trail connects Club Run and Middle Ridge trails.

Distance: .125-mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

Middle Ridge Trail

This trail begins at Balsam Swamp Overlook. Its open meadows and forest edge provide a good location for birdwatching.

Distance: 2.5-mile loop

Difficulty: More difficult

Deer Run Trail

This self-guided, interpretive trail within the Wildlife Observation Area can be accessed at the Main Lodge or Campground.

Distance: 1.5-mile segment

Difficulty: More difficult

Abe Run Trail

Many “nursery trees” can be seen along this trail that forms a loop off the Deer Run Trail.

Distance: .75-mile segment

Difficulty: Easy

Mill Run Trail

This loop is an offshoot of Deer Run Trail and includes benches overlooking the wet meadow.

Distance:  1-mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

Nearby Attractions

Thomas, Davis, and Elkins, WV

Dining, nightlife and cultural attractions can be found in nearby Thomas, Davis and Elkins. Come experience a taste of true West Virginia culture in these quaint, small towns.

Less than an hour’s drive from:

Blackwater Falls State Park

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Dolly Sods Wilderness Area

Seneca Rocks

Seneca Cavern

Smoke Hole Caverns

Mountain Trails Rides

Ride the trails in style! Mountain Trails Rides offers guided horseback rides and sleigh rides in winter.

Seneca Rocks Climbing School and NROCKS Outdoor Adventures

This town rocks! Guided rock climbing is available through both the Seneca Rocks Climbing School and NROCKS Outdoor Adventures. For a brag-worthy experience, take your adventure to the next level with the Via Ferrata at NROCKS.

Blackwater Outdoor Adventures

Think you have what it takes to take on the rapids? Blackwater Outdoor Adventures offers both whitewater and flat water excursions on the beautiful Cheat River.

Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad and the Potomac Eagle

All aboard! Scenic train excursions are available through the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad and the Potomac Eagle. Ride the rails to venture into some of the most remote locations in West Virginia.

Monongahela National Forest

Spanning nearly a million acres, this forest encompasses one of America’s most diverse ecological regions. Hundreds of bird species live here, as do 8 types of endangered animals and 75 kinds of trees. Highlights include Spruce Knob (the state’s highest peak at 4,863 feet), rustic camping, picnicking, and backpacking.

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