Best of Canaan • Canaan Valley Vacation Rental & Real Estate

Best Places for Stargazing in WV Tucker County

Tucker County has always been a place where the world seems to slow down. Here in the mountains, quiet nights and wide open skies create a setting that feels peaceful and beautifully remote. You can book your Cannaan Valley getaway with Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals and enjoy some of the best places for stargazing in the USA. We curated this guide to help you discover why West Virginia is truly “almost heaven.” 

Visit Some of the Best Places for Stargazing in the USA

Dolly Sods Wilderness

Dolly Sods sits high on the Allegheny Plateau with elevations that reach nearly 4,000 feet. The clean mountain air and minimal light pollution create one of the best places for stargazing in the USA. On a clear night, the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon, and shooting stars appear often.

Canaan Valley Resort State Park

Canaan Valley Resort State Park is among the most wonderful stargazing spots in the area, with large open fields and easy access, making it simple to find a comfortable viewing spot. Many guests enjoy walking out behind the lodge or heading to the golf course area after dark. The wide views and high elevation make the stars feel close enough to touch.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Famous for its waterfall in the daylight and equally impressive after sunset, Blackwater Falls State Park offers several of the best places for stargazing in the area. Pendleton Point Overlook is a local favorite. The deep canyon creates a dramatic foreground while the sky above puts on a dazzling show. It is a perfect blend of adventure and serenity.

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

For those who love peace and quiet, the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge offers wide-open meadows that turn into natural stargazing theaters at night. This is an excellent choice for photographers and anyone looking to escape the lights completely.

Spruce Knob

Spruce Knob is one of the best places in the eastern United States for stargazing. As the highest peak in West Virginia, it rises above surrounding light pollution and offers skies so dark that the Milky Way can be seen on clear nights with just your eyes alone! Visitors can hike the Whispering Spruce Trail to the observation tower, where panoramic views reveal countless stars and a brilliant sweep of the galactic core.

Find Your West Virginia Vacation Rental With Best of Canaan

One of the best places for stargazing is the comfort of your home away from home! Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals offers comfortable vacation rentals in the heart of Canaan Valley. Many of our homes sit in quiet areas with wonderful sky views right from the deck or backyard for stargazing trips that feel like stepping into a new world!

Explore the West Virginia Art & Music Scene in Tucker County

Tucker County is best known for its mountain views and outdoor adventures. Yet beyond the trails and ski slopes lies a creative heartbeat. The West Virginia art scene is alive in Tucker County, where galleries, festivals, and live music bring color and energy to every season. Book your stay in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, with Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals and start exploring!

Tucker County Is a West Virginia Haven for Local Artists

The natural beauty of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, has long inspired art lovers who call these hills home. In towns like Davis and Thomas, you’ll find painters, potters, photographers, and woodworkers whose work captures the spirit of mountain living.

Music in the Mountains of WV Tucker County

Music is part of the Tucker County lifestyle. From the sound of a fiddle echoing through the valley to the strum of a guitar at a cozy café, live music brings people together in the mountains. One favorite gathering place is The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia, where local and touring artists perform throughout the year, and lovers of art gather.

Celebrate Art With These Annual West Virginia Festivals

  • Autumn Glory Festival: This five-day event celebrates fall with craft fairs, art exhibits, parades, and live entertainment. The surrounding countryside offers some of the most beautiful foliage in the region, making it a perfect day trip during your stay in Canaan Valley.
  • Artober Fest & ArtSpring: Celebrate the vibrant creative spirit of the art community in Tucker County, West Virginia. These events bring together local artists, musicians, and creators for festivals and community gatherings that celebrate the region’s vibrant cultural landscape.
  • Mountain State Forest Festival: This event features a juried art exhibit, craft vendors, a Grand Feature Parade, and live performances that showcase the spirit of the Mountain State.

Stay and Explore the West Virginia Art Scene

From art-filled weekends to nights of live music, Tucker County offers endless ways to experience the creative side of West Virginia mountain life. Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals is proud to be part of this vibrant community, offering comfortable and scenic places to stay while you explore the Canaan Valley, WV, area!

Gander at the Breathtaking West Virginia Waterfalls

When people think of the Canaan Valley, they often picture sweeping mountain views, dense spruce forests, and tranquil meadows. But tucked among the rugged ridgelines and quiet hollows, some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in West Virginia steal the show. Come and see for yourself by booking a getaway to Canaan Valley, WV, with Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals!

Where To Spot Waterfalls Near Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Dolly Sods Wilderness – Untamed Beauty

Perched at 4,200 feet, Dolly Sods begins as a high plateau that funnels rainwater into the dramatic Red Creek Canyon. In just a few miles, Red Creek drops 1,500 feet, tumbling over boulders and cliffs into a series of West Virginia waterfalls that are as wild as they are remote. Along the Red Creek Trail, tributaries pour into the canyon, creating hidden cascades that reward the adventurous. If you’re looking for a waterfall experience surrounded by solitude and raw wilderness, Dolly Sods delivers.

Blackwater Falls State Park – Iconic and Accessible

No trip to the Canaan Valley region is complete without a stop at Blackwater Falls State Park. Towering nearly 60 feet, Blackwater Falls is among the most photographed waterfalls in West Virginia and for good reason. The tannin-stained waters, darkened by spruce and hemlock needles, crash dramatically into the gorge below. Visitors can enjoy easy access via a scenic boardwalk or opt for the Gentle Trail, a short walk perfect for families.

Just a short stroll from the park lodge, Elakala Falls waits to be discovered. Nestled within a dense hemlock forest, this series of four waterfalls on Shays Run feels like a secret escape. Cross the wooden bridge above the first cascade for a view you won’t soon forget.

Nearby, the Falls of Pendleton add to the park’s waterfall treasures. Mossy cliffs and the roaring Blackwater River create a serene backdrop, perfect for photography or a peaceful afternoon.

Douglas Falls – A Hidden Gem Near Thomas

Only minutes from the town of Thomas, West Virginia, Douglas Falls rewards those willing to take the back roads to see breathtaking waterfalls. Accessible via Rail Falls Road in Coakton or along the Allegheny Highlands Rail Trail, this waterfall is about 2.5 miles from downtown Thomas. The falls tumble into a pool surrounded by vibrant rocks streaked with iron ore, giving the scene a unique palette of reds, oranges, and browns.

Find Your Ideal Canaan Valley Vacation Rental

At Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals, we believe that having these natural wonders just outside your door makes life here extra special. The waterfalls of West Virginia will always be just around the corner, waiting to take your breath away. Book your stay today!

Your Guide to Exploring Dolly Sods Wilderness

If you are searching for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure in West Virginia, Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Canaan Valley area is the perfect place to begin. Known for its sweeping vistas, unique plant life, and rugged hiking trails, this high plateau in the Monongahela National Forest feels worlds away from everyday life. You can find your ideal Canaan Valley vacation rental from Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals!

The Dolly Sods Wilderness Is a Landscape Like No Other

The Dolly Sods Wilderness sits at an elevation as high as 4,000 feet. This height creates a unique climate that resembles areas much farther north, making it a fascinating spot for nature lovers. You will see heath barrens, bogs, and rocky plains, along with spruce forests that look like something from Canada. The mix of terrain makes the area especially popular for photographers and bird watchers.

Enjoy Hiking the Dolly Sods Wilderness Trails

  • Bear Rocks Trail: A favorite for first time visitors, this trail leads to stunning overlooks.
  • Raven Ridge Trail: This Dolly Sods Wilderness hiking trail offers multiple lookout points, including views southwest into Dolly Sods, east toward Bear Rocks, and into the open valley near Red Creek.
  • Blackbird Knob Trail: Enjoy scenes of waterfalls and swimming holes along Red Creek, sweeping views from Rocky Ridge and Raven Ridge, and a mix of rugged highlands, meadows, and forested sections.
  • Rocky Point Trail: Explore a nearly 2-mile route that connects the Red Creek and Big Stonecoal trails, winding through pine stands and rocky terrain before opening into a clearing with some of the best canyon views in the area.
  • Red Creek Trail: This Dolly Sods Wilderness trail begins at Laneville Cabin, following an old logging railroad grade along Red Creek. It passes through meadows, forests, and sub-alpine terrain.
  • Rohrbaugh Trail: The trail begins at the Fisher Spring Run trailhead and follows forested paths, streams, and thickets of rhododendron before reaching overlooks that offer expansive views of the Red Creek basin and Lions Head.

Go Berry Picking in Dolly Sods During the Summer and Fall

Berry picking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness is a favorite summer and early fall activity, thanks to the region’s unique high plateau ecosystem and cool climate. Expansive meadows and open ridges provide ideal conditions for wild blueberries and huckleberries, which are especially abundant from mid-July through late August. Cranberries grow in the wetter areas and are typically ready for harvest in September, especially near the headwaters of Red Creek.

Let Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals help you find the ideal Canaan Valley vacation rental for your adventure!

Enjoy the Best Affordable Vacations for Families

At Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals, we’ve helped families plan meaningful and affordable vacations for years. Our guests appreciate the personal attention and insight from our staff of locals who can’t imagine living anywhere else! We believe every family deserves the chance to make lasting memories, no matter their budget. Book your home away from home today in one of our vacation rentals in Canaan Valley, WV!

Why We Offer the Best Affordable Vacations for Families

Canaan Valley offers affordable vacations with endless opportunities for families to enjoy nature, connect with each other no matter the season. Below are just a few of the many highlights:

Fall Colors and Mountain Magic

Vibrant foliage, crisp air, and golden light create the perfect setting for a peaceful and affordable family getaway. Take in the colors from hiking trails to overlooks like Bald Knob or Lindy Point, or enjoy panoramic views from Bear Rocks Preserve or the Olson Tower. Families can also enjoy scenic chairlift rides or a sunset horseback outing through colorful forests.

Winter Fun on the Slopes

Winter vacations in Canaan Valley offer affordable skiing, snowboarding, and tubing for families at Canaan Valley Resort, White Grass Touring Center, and Timberline Mountain. With lift tickets and rentals priced more reasonably than many major ski destinations, families can enjoy world-class winter activities at reasonable prices.

Spring Surprises in the Mountains

Families can hike or bike blooming wildflower trails, forage for wild ramps, or fish in mountain streams. Don’t miss the ArtSpring Festival in nearby Thomas, a family-friendly celebration of local art, music, and food.

Summer Adventures That Won’t Break the Bank

Canaan Valley is the ultimate summer playground for families in search of affordable vacations. Cool off at the Mill Race Park splash pad, paddle the Blackwater River, or fish for trout at Canaan Trout Ranch. For a bit of excitement, try whitewater rafting with Blackwater Outdoor Center. Round out the day with blueberry picking or live music at the Pickin’ In Parsons Bluegrass Festival.

Comfortable Canaan Valley Vacation Rentals for Every Budget

Our curated collection of Canaan Valley vacation rental homes makes it easy to find a place that fits your family’s size and budget. Choose your ideal Canaan Valley vacation rental from family-friendly amenities such as full kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor spaces. Save even more by cooking meals at home and enjoying quiet evenings by the fireplace or under the stars.


Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals offers the best affordable vacations for families! Book your stay today!

Contact Us

Toll-Free: (877) 484.8680
Local: (304) 866.8680
info@bestofcanaan.com

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5546 Appalachian Highway (Route 32)

Davis, West Virginia 26260

Open 7 Days a Week
Monday – Friday 9-5 and Saturday and Sunday 9-4

AMY BARB, BROKER

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