Trail Map -

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THE TRAILS
A trail system has been established on the approximately 16,000 acre Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, opening 41 miles of existing roads and trails for wildlife observation, photography and education. Trails are open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset, daily. Ten miles will be open exclusively for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. Thirty one miles are open to year-round pedestrian use (walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing). Twenty three miles are also open to bicycles. Twenty two miles are also open for horses. Seven miles are open for vehicles, bicycles, horses and pedestrian use.

Freeland Road:
Nice views of the valley abound on this short boardwalk leading through a wet field to a beaver pond and bubbling spring. Around the pond, visitors may walk to a stand of balsam fir, a plant community typical of Maine and Canada. Trail length is .24 mile each way. Pedestrian only. It does not loop.

Idleman’s Run Trail: This short pedestrian trail travels through woodlands along Idleman’s Run. Trail length is .39 mile. Continue up the trail to FR 80, then back to the beginning using the road to make a loop.

Forest Road 80 and Idleman’s Run Road:
This public access route is open for pedestrians, bicyclers, horse-back riders, and vehicles. Forest Road 80 provides access from the valley to Dolly Sods Wilderness Area.

Beall (pronounced “bell”) Trails:
A parking area on Old Timberline Road, off of Cortland Road, leads to 4.53 miles of trails. Loops go north and south from the parking area. Beall north trails pass through forest, field, shrub swamp and bog habitats, with a spur trail leading to the Blackwater River. Beall south trails offer good opportunities for viewing grassland birds, before dipping into the forest, down to the Blackwater River. Pedestrian only.

Camp 70 Trails:
Trails travel east and north from the parking area. Most are open to bicycles and horses. One loop that provides a beautiful overlook of the valley’s wetlands is open for pedestrian travel only. Check the trail map. Trails travel through a mix of forest and field, skirting wetlands. Access is provided to Canaan Valley Institute and Western Pocahontas Land Corporation land. Seek permission from adjacent landowners if you wish to use their property.

Figure 2: Boardwalk at the beaver pond on the Freeland trail. Courtesy of the Friends of the 500th.

Figure 3: This trail was an access road to a hunting cabin on the Beall Farm.

A-frame Road and Adjacent Trails:
A-frame Road is a public access route open for pedestrian, horse, bicycle and vehicle use. From Rt. 93 to the parking lot at the end of the gravel road is nine miles. Only part of that is Refuge land, but all of it is open for public access. For most of its length, the road passes through the forested slopes of the valley. In a few locations, there are nice views of the valley. The primary parking area is near beaver ponds along Glade Run. Parking is also permitted on the side of the road. Trail loops west of the road provide an opportunity to experience the valley’s wetlands, and the fields and forests of middle ridge. East of the road, trails lead through forest to U.S. Forest Service land, with more valley views. Some trails are open to bicycles and horses, while others are pedestrian only. Check the trail map. As always, seek permission from adjacent landowners if you wish to use their property.

Contact Information: Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
HC 70 Box 200
Davis, WV  26260
Phone:  (304) 866-3858
Fax:  (304) 866-3852

  If you have any questions regarding this site, please email us at fw5rw_cvnwr@fws.gov

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Website created by Karen Jenkins and Jackie Burns 2004