Canaan Valley Rentals Archives - Best of Canaan • Canaan Valley Vacation Rental & Real Estate

Dec 11 2025

Enjoy World-Class Winter Outdoor Activities in Canaan Valley

Winter vacations in Canaan Valley are the real deal. You wake up to snow on the decks, frost on the evergreens, and that quiet you only get in the mountains. At Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals, we help guests choose the right Canaan Valley home base so the days are filled with some of the best outdoor winter activities in the nation, and the evenings spent in your winter palace are even better.

Winter Vacations Filled With World-Class Outdoor Activities

1) Enjoy Exhilarating Downhill Skiing

Canaan Valley offers some of the best outdoor winter activities in the country if you’re looking for legendary downhill skiing and snowboarding. Some wonders you can find include:

Canaan Valley Resort State Park is a strong pick for families and mixed-skill groups because it offers 26 trails suitable for beginner to advanced skiers.
Timberline Mountain is a great option with two terrain parks, 22 trails, and West Virginia’s first high-speed 6-pack.

2) Snowshoe and Cross-Country Fun

Canaan Valley delivers outdoor winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing across breathtaking and peaceful terrain, such as:

Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers about 35 kilometers of marked, ungroomed, snow-dependent trails with no trail fees, plus easy $20 rentals at the Cross-Country Recreation Center and smooth golf course fairways for an effortless glide.
White Grass Touring Center adds more than 50 km of maintained routes climbing toward Weiss Knob, along with a cozy lodge and café.
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge keeps most trails open for both sports, so you can swap crowds for snowy woods and winter wildlife.

3) Tubing, Sledding, and Ice Skating Adventures

Enjoy outdoor winter activities that feel like a classic snow day. Canaan Valley stacks up tubing thrills with cozy, family-friendly extras like:

Canaan Valley Resort’s multi-lane tube park stretches 1,200 feet, one of the longest in the Mid-Atlantic, and the magic carpet lift brings you right back to the top, so the fun stays nonstop.
Blackwater Falls State Park adds the simple joy of sledding on its popular quarter-mile sled run surrounded by frosted evergreens. It’s the East Coast’s longest sled-run!
Canaan Valley Resort’s outdoor, covered rink is where you can take in valley and Allegheny Mountain views and warm up beside the outdoor fireplace.

Find Your Winter Palace From Our Canaan Valley Rentals

If you come once, you will understand why people return every year. Book with Best of Canaan Real Estate Sales and Vacation Rentals, and build your next winter getaway around the outdoor activities that make Canaan Valley feel like winter done right. You can even book your winter palace in the legendary ski areas!

Nov 20 2025

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!

Oct 03 2025

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.

Be sure to stop by Invisible in Thomas to see a collection of regional works that celebrate the Appalachian landscape.
Over in Davis, WV Highlands Gallery highlights handcrafted art and fine crafts that embody the charm of West Virginia life.
Shopping at Creature, a local art gallery, means browsing beautifully crafted collections of prints and illustrations that invite you to bring artful stories into your space.
Shop the curated collection of Appalachian artwork and artist-designed apparel at Bloom.

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!

Sep 03 2025

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!

Aug 02 2025

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.