WV Communities:

Davis

Community Description

Davis is one of West Virginia's best mountain towns. Its history as a timbering town gives this community a quaint feel. The towns location near some of the most spectacular natural areas in the state with great outdoor recreation resources makes it a top place to visit and live for outdoor enthusiasts. The local restaurants, breweries and shops in town provide a unique experience only found in Davis. The focus of outdoor recreation as a primary resource for the community has led to continued construction of trail systems that give access to hundreds of miles of trails right from the town center.

Check out the descriptions and details for all the outdoor recreation resources near Davis below.

Community Resources - Town of Davis Web Page, Mon. Forest Towns Davis Page, Tucker County Davis Page, WV Tourism Davis Page

Outdoor Stores/Outfitters - Blackwater Bikes, Double S Stable, Driftland Ski & Sport, White Grass Lessons

Stories

Highland Weekender: Davis & Thomas, WV (Highland Outdoors)

Outdoor recreation opportunities near Davis:

Backpackers hike a trail in Dolly Sods

Backpacking

Three separate wilderness/backcountry areas are within close proximity to Davis. Canaan Mountain Backcountry is linked directly to trails that start in town, so it is possible to go backpacking from Davis without driving. Dolly Sods Wilderness area, located on top of the mountain just across Canaan Valley from Davis, is the most popular wilderness area in the state. There are two public trailheads closer to Davis, both in the Canaan NWR. You will find more solitude in Roaring Plains Wilderness and Backcountry located just over the mountain from Canaan Valley near the small community of Laneville.

Two bicyclists ride the Canaan Loop Road

Bicycling

Bicycling near Davis can be done on Canaan Valley or Blackwater Falls state park roads, Blackwater Canyon Trail, and some secondary roads in Canaan Valley. Gravel road riding is also available on Canaan Loop Rd.

Blackwater Falls SP Campground

Camping

For more traditional campgrounds, try out Blackwater Falls SP or Canaan Valley SP. These parks have both RV and tent camping with some facilities. If you want to be out in the backcountry, try out Red Creek CG on top of Dolly Sods or Canaan Loop Rd. Dispersed Camping.

Kayaks move along the Blackwater River with big puffy clouds in the sky

Canoeing

Try out this unique experience paddling the Blackwater River and Tributaries. There is also paddling on Pendleton Lake, located at Blackwater Falls State Park.

a telemark skier moving down the hill at Whitegrass

Cross Country Skiing

Canaan Valley and the surrounding area is considered the best Cross Country Skiing in West Virginia. The high elevation of the valley along with ample winter precipitation produce an average of 160 inches of snow every year.

White Grass Ski Touring Center is the focal point of cross country skiing in the valley. They have 48 trails, grooming, rentals/sales and a wonderful cafe.

All of the trails in the valley turn into ski trails during the winter, so Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley State Parks along with Canaan Valley NWR provide skiing destinations. Backcountry skiing is also popular by heading into Canaan Mountain or Dolly Sods.

A skier at the top of Canaan Valley Resort slopes

Downhill Skiing

Canaan Valley is West Virginia's best place for winter sports. A large amount of natural snow plus continued improvement of facilities and services make it a great getaway. Two resorts are situated beside each other on the south end of the valley. Canaan Valley Ski Resort has been in operation since the early 1970's. Timberline is generating a buzz of excitement with new ownership that has focused on improved facilities and lifts to go along with its high quality terrain.

A person looks out over Blackwater Canyon

Hiking

The Canaan Valley area has the largest density of hiking trails in West Virginia. The continued focus of access to these trails from the town center has led to Davis being one of the best towns for hiking anywhere. There is a unique variety of natural environments here, including the canyon and waterfalls of Blackwater Falls SP, the wetlands and vistas of Canaan Valley SP, Canaan Valley NWR and Little Canaan WMA & the backcountry high mountain spruce forests of Olson Tower/Blackwater Canyon and Canaan Mountain.

A mountain biker rides at Little Canaan WMA

Mountain Biking

This area boasts the most storied history of Mountain Biking in the state and east coast. The first 24 hr mountain bike race was held here and although the gear and events have changed, the reason people come here to ride persists. This place has a lot of trails, a wide range of difficulties and a continually evolving community of riders. https://canaanvalley.org/outdoor-recreation/listings/mountain-bike-trail-suggestions

Canaan Mountain, Canaan Valley SP, Blackwater Falls Area, Little Canaan WMA

A group exploring the canyon of Red Creek

Swimming Holes

It does not get very hot in the summer around Davis and the water is always chilly, but if you want to swim or just splash around, check out the Blackwater River and Red Creek. The Dry Fork is lower in elevation and will be warmer.

A shredder pushes through a rapid on the Dry Fork River

Whitewater

The Blackwater River provides skilled kayakers a number of different challenging class V-V+ whitewater runs. For those looking for a fun but easier section, the Dry Fork is just outside Canaan Valley.

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