Grant County Chamber of Commerce

things to do

Page updated March 31, 2005

	Skiing at Canaan Valley		*Canaan Valley* One of Grant County's most utilized recreational resources is nearby Canaan Valley. Recognized for its excellent winter sports opportunities. In the winter, Canaan Valley Resort and timberline Four Season Resort open their slopes for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. *During spring, summer and fall, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and exploring are the primary activities.* *Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers swimming, tennis, nature walks, evening events and an 18-hole championship golf facility.*
	*Canoeing* Eagle's Nest Outfitters offers the perfect setting and 80 miles of river for canoeing, fishing or camping. They have several scenic river trips on which visitors can experience the fresh, clean waters passing between majestic cliffs, mountaineer farms, and vistas that are ever-changing to provide spectacular scenery especially in the spring and fall. *Eagle's Nest also offers a Canoe Clinic for those who want to learn how the correct method of paddling.*
	*Dolly Sods* Dolly Sods is an area of high elevation wind-swept plains on the Allegheny Plateau. At elevations of 2,600 to over 4,000 feet, the area has extensive flat rocky plains, upland bogs, beaver ponds, and sweeping vistas. The plant life and climate on this high plateau resembles northern Canada, and many species found here are near their southernmost range. The 10,215 acre wilderness was designated by Congress in 1975 and is located in West Virginia's Tucker and Grant counties. The high plains area was once covered with 7 to 9 feet of humus and a red spruce/hemlock forest where the average tree was four feet in diameter. Sadly, these once stately giants were felled during the timber rush of the late 1800's and hot fires in the logging slash destroyed the fertile humus layer. In the inhospitable climate and present rocky soil of Dolly Sods, red spruce now struggle to attain 12" in diameter. About the time the slash fires raged, local farmers burned the plains to create grazing land or "sods". The pioneer Dahle family used the sods for grazing about the turn of the century. Their German name became the present "Dolly" of Dolly Sods. The Dolly Sods Wilderness Area is located in the Monongahela National Forest, roughly 15 miles west of Petersburg, West Virginia. There are a number of ways to access this unique area. Most visitors will approach the area from the east, out of the town of Petersburg. From Petersburg, take WV 28/55 south. One mile past Smoke Hole Caverns, look for the brown Forest Service sign on the left side of the road pointing to the turn-off to the Wilderness area onto State Road 4. Follow the paved road steeply up a fold in the hills. At the first "S" turn in the road, look for the turn off for FS 19 on your left. It is signed and easily located. This will give you access to the southern part of the Wilderness area at it's intersection with FS 75.
			*Fishing* The South Branch of the Potomac River offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, some largemouth bass, trout (rainbow, brook, brown and golden rainbow), channel catfish, eel and carp. There are over 200 miles on trout streams nearby and the Monongahela Forest contains 600 miles of cold water streams, representing 50 percent of all trout water and 90 percent of native trout water in West Virginia. Besides the naturally produced (wild) populations of brown and rainbow trout, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources regularly stock rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and brook trout. Warm-water anglers will be equally entertained with 350 miles of stream and some of the best smallmouth bass waters in the state. Four state-record catches of smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and largemouth bass came from the South Branch. *Fishing from canoe, kayak or raft on a variety of float trips can be arranged by Eagle's Nest Outfitters, April through October - 304 257-2393.*
	*Greenland Gap* The primary feature of the 250 acre preserve is the well developed, symmetrical water gap formed by the North Fork of Patterson Creek. The entire Gap is ringed by Oriskany Sandstone cliffs, which rise 800 feet above the cool, clear waters of the creek. The gap was also the site of an April 1863 battle between a small band of federal troops and General Jones’ cavalry. Two trails, one on each side of the Gap, take visitors to the top of the cliffs for dramatic views. Both trails begin near the car pull-off and main entrance sign on the east side of the Gap. The trails are very steep and rocky and are difficult unless you are in good physical condition. Do not attempt to hike these trails without water, hiking shoes, kicking stick, and well conditioned legs and heart. While October with its fall foliage is the most dramatic and colorful time to visit, every season is beautiful at Greenland Gap. From Petersburg, take State Route 42 North to Scherr. At Scherr, turn right on State Route 93 and go approximately 500 feet turning right on Country Road 1. Keep left across the bridge and go for approximately one mile to the town of Greenland and turn right (do not keep straight on the gravel road) on County Road 3/3. You will enter the preserve after about 1/8th mile. The main entrance sign is at the east end of the preserve on 3/3.		*Greenland Gap - Harold Malde* *Greenland Gap - Harold Malde*
	*Kayaking* Kayaks are the new, hottest thing on the market today. They are great for enthusiastic beginners, stable and maneuverable. These crafts are a delightful way to paddle a river and great to fish out of. Experience one of Eagle's Nest Outfitters scenic river trips such as Smoke Hole Big Bend, Smoke Hole Caverns, Petersburg Gap, or the Trough Run Trip from a traditional kayak or one that you can sit ON. *Duckies, or inflatable kayaks, are more stable and forgiving and can be enjoyed with a minimum of instruction. They can be paddled individually or shared by two people.* Eagle's Nest Outfitters can help you with rentals or they can even provide a shuttle for those with their own equipment. Call them at 304 257-2393 for details April through October.
	Skiing at Mount Storm Lake		*Mount Storm Lake* *Mount Storm Lake, a 1200-acre lake built to serve the Mount Storm Power Station, is also a great recreational resource for fishermen and waters skiers.* *The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish and is also a favorite for windsurfing and sailing.*
	*Mountain Biking* *This is becoming one of the fastest growing activities in the area.* There are trails with varying degrees of difficulty or you can choose a less challenging ride on a rail-trail where you will be surrounded with just as much beauty. There are mountain bike events, instruction, races and hair-raising challenges on single tracks. That's why the Potomac Highlands have become one of the hottest destinations for biking enthusiasts on the east coast. From the miles of trails traversing the 900,000 acres of the Monongahela National Forest to the 76 miles of the Greenbrier River Trail, a world of mountain biking excitement is waiting in West Virginia.
	The Potomac Eagle near Eagle Rock		*Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad* Enjoy a three hour narrated excursion through a tranquil and pristine mountain valley. View historic farms and lush mountain greenery. Around every curve you are rewarded with the splendor of native wildflowers, evergreens, and mixed hardwoods in an unspoiled countryside environment. *American Eagle sightings occur on over 90% of all excursions. Step aboard the Potomac Eagle for a rail experience that you will remember for years to come.* *Reservations and information: call 1-800-22-eagle.*
	*Seneca Rocks* Seneca Rocks reaches nearly 900 feet above the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River and is also located in the Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks national Recreation Area encompassing 100,000 acres. Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest mountain, reaches 4,861 feet above sea level and has 60 miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Seneca Rocks provides a challenging hiking trail as well as over 375 routes for rock climbers to use in conquering the craggy cliffs. Situated close to the Seneca Rocks formation is Seneca Shadows Campground.		Seneca Rocks
			*White Water* Some of the best white-water on the South Branch of the Potomac River can be found in the Smoke Hole Canyon. In fact, Eagle's Nest Outfitters has a trip called the Lower Smoke Hole Canyon Trip that promises fairly steep rapids and enough complications to make paddling interesting. The Royal Glen Dam Trip is also a very popular stream that contains pleasant scenery and challenging white-water for novice and intermediate paddlers. This trip is often used as a warm up for the Smoke Hole Canyon Trip. Eagle's Nest Outfitters can help you with rentals or they can even provide a shuttle for those with their own equipment. Call them at 304 257-2393 for details April through October.