Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Easy. Nice views of Canaan Valley abound on this short accessible boardwalk leading through a wet field, shrubland, and past a beaver pond and bubbling spring. An easy walk takes visitors to a stand of balsam fir, a plant community typical of Maine and Canada. Pedestrian only.

This short pedestrian trail travels through woodlands along Idlemans Run. Enjoy the wildflowers, and look for the completed stream restoration work. Trail length is 0.40 mile and is for pedestrian use only. Return on Forest Road 80 to make a loop which totals 0.9 miles.

Passes through forest, field, shrub swamp, and bog habitats. Pedestrian only

Connects Farm View Trail to Blackwater View Trail.

Heads south along the old Beall South trail loop. This trail offers great views of the valley and Blackwater River as it passes through old farm fields that have been converted to grasslands, riparian forests, and shrublands

Connects Beall North Trail to Blackwater View Trail.

Leads to a small viewing platform that overlooks a beautiful bog.

The Brown Mountain Trail travels north from the Camp 70 parking lot. This is a pleasant trail through the forest with a gently increasing grade. It leads to Brown Mountain Overlook Trail. Listen for different woodland birds, including scarlet tanagers and a variety of warblers.

Moderate. This loop on the valley floor provides a beautiful overlook of Canaan Valley’s wetlands. Watch for a variety of water birds and wetland plants. Pedestrian only.

Moderate. Camp 70 Loop Trail travels east from the Camp 70 parking lot. The trail provides excellent views of beaver ponds and the refuge’s central wetlands. This trail is open for pedestrian, horse, and bicycle use.

Passes through forested habitat and travels upslope for a beautiful view of the Valley. Look for woodland birds and other wildlife.

Moderate. This is a steep trail travels through northern hardwood forest for most of its length. Easy access for this trail begins near the A-Frame Road parking lot. Open for pedestrian, horse, and bicycle use.

This trail travels through forested and wetland habitat to join with Middle Valley Trail (west) and Cabin Mountain (east) on either end. A variety of wildlife can be viewed on this trail. 

South Glade Run Crossing Trail travels through forested and grassland habitats to connect Cabin Mountain trail to Middle Valley trail. The trail crosses Glade Run on a footbridge and has nice views of the Glade Run wetlands.

This trail crosses Sand Run and Glade Run as it travels along a low sandstone ridge. Near Glade Run alder thickets harbor unique plant and animal species. Bog goldenrod and cottongrass grow in the northern reach of the trail. From spring through fall be on the lookout for savannah sparrows, vesper sparrows, American bittern and many different warblers.

This beautiful trail parallels the Blackwater river. Bicycles and pedestrian west of Blackwater River. Bikes, horses, and pedestrians east of Blackwater River. Connects to Middle Valley Trail to make a longer loop.

This is a moderate uphill climb. Use this trail to connect to Shady Hollow trail and Hellbender Tail trail which leads on to Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area.

Fishing access to the Blackwater river. Fish for rainbow and brown trout. W.V. Department of Natural Resources stock in the spring and fall.

This short trail allows fishing access to a beaver pond area. Fish for bluegills and smallmouth bass.