Traveling in 2020 has become a challenge with the coronavirus pandemic. Doug and Dunovan cancelled a graduation trip to NYC, and we shorted and postponed a June camping trip in favor of some home renovations and a couple close to home getaways. Luckily, I had not planned a large cross country excursion this summer because our oldest son, Dunovan, graduated HS and is moving into college.
We needed a break from those home renovations and took 4 days to visit Canaan Valley Resort and Blackwater Falls State Park in WV.
Canaan Valley Resort
Canaan Valley Resort is best known for being a winter ski resort but it has a beautiful 34 full hookup campground, as well as the lodge and cabins. We visited here in October of 2018 and enjoyed the return trip as well.
This resort is part of the Canaan Valley State Park and hosts trails through forest and wetlands. We enjoyed the trails around the campsite and Doug, Dunovan, and Brodey took advantage of the Sporting Clay Range. This valley is the location of the headwaters for the Blackwater River, which leads to the gorgeous Blackwater Falls.
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| Most of the resort was closed and operated limited activities due to Covid 19. |
Blackwater Falls State Park
Just 15 miles from Canaan Valley is Blackwater Falls State Park. It is named for the 57-foot amber water fall, which is tinted by the tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. This 446 acre state park was established in the 1930s. We hiked several tails and walked the 214 steps down to get the best view of the falls. There is also a short, paved handicap accessible overlook on the other side of the canyon.
Just behind the lodge, is a nice 1 mile loop trail that takes you to Elakala Falls. You can view from the bridge or climb a short way down to the base of the water fall. Then follow Elakala trail to Balanced Rock Trail if you want to extend your hike.
On the north side of the canyon is the famous Blackwater Falls.
Overlook view from the south rim of the canyon.
Past the campgrounds in the park is Pendleton Point Overlook, which boasts beautiful views of Blackwater Canyon.
This is also the beginning of a nice hike on Pendleton Pace Trail. This lead us past Pendleton Lake through mountain laurel, to Pendleton Creek, which feeds into the Blackwater River.
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| Pendleton Lake |
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| "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir |
We needed some time to relax and just enjoy camping. This was social distancing at its best. Even though it wasn't as grand of a trip as we usually do in the summer, being with family and enjoying this time with Dunovan before he leaves for YSU in August was priceless.
