Exploring Canaan Loop Road: The Trail on Everyone’s List

Overview

The Trail on Everyone’s List

Canaan Loop Rd…. It’s probably the one trail in north-central West Virginia that is on everybody’s radar. Like it was for me, it is likely one of the first roads people take when they first get into off-roading, and for good reason. It offers a lot without more difficulty than beginners can take on while still being a fun drive for those with more experience.

I first drove Canaan Loop a little over 10 years ago in my stock Wrangler Sport. No lift or big tires. Not even all-terrain. Just about any SUV can make it. Unless you’re there during poor conditions you shouldn’t need a winch, but as with all off-roading recovery, gear is always good to have just in case. While the road doesn’t have a big risk for damage, be prepared for possible pin striping. There are parts of the trail that close in with branches.

I recommend starting from the opposite end of Blackwater Falls. There isn’t really a difficulty difference between directions but most of the “fun stuff” is on the Blackwater side and I prefer to keep that for last. There are also good camping options on Canaan Loop near route 32. If you’re in the area for a few days, you can set up camp and leave some gear behind before hitting the trail in earnest.

North Meets South

Canaan Loop has so much of what I love about West Virginia. The high elevation forests offer something truly remarkable. Because of glacial forces best described by better experts than myself, the plant and animal life is very unique to this region and consists of many living things more commonly found farther north. If you don’t know much about it, look into it. It’s very interesting natural history. If you are really interested, or just love the outdoors, visit Dolly Sods to see it in all its glory.

As far as the trail goes, the majority of it, in mileage if not time spent, is a pretty standard forest road…albeit with amazing scenery, so don’t feel the need to speed through parts of it. In the first few miles, you have the camping spots mentioned above, my favorite of which is shown in the video. It makes a great base to explore from, whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or eating and drinking in Thomas and Davis.

The Heart of the Trail

As you find yourself farther into the interior, you’ll be following Red Run. This small creek gives the road picturesque views and numerous places to stop and chill out. There are more spots to camp here, although I’ve never done it myself. After winding around and farther up the mountain, you’ll see a sign for the end of road maintenance and the last chance to turn around. This isn’t strictly true, but if you don’t plan on going all the way through, this is the place to stop.

Not much farther than the sign, the road quickly narrows with Rhododendron and other trees crowding the trail. I’ve found the mud and standing water is here most of the time, even if it hasn’t rained much recently. The roadbed is firm so even without aggressive tires you typically don’t have issues. That is one of the many reasons this trail is great for beginners. There are two water crossings in the last half as well. You’ll notice the dark color of the water that gives the Blackwater River its name. When I first got my Jeep, the novelty of driving across creeks and streams was exciting. While these aren’t extreme water crossings, I’ve seen them fairly high after rains but they have never been posed a problem. Always be careful though as conditions can change.

Blackwater Falls State Park

The road ends in Blackwater Falls State Park at Lindy Point. I recommend getting out and walking to the overlook. It’s a beautiful scene and a wonderful way to end a trail. There are plenty of places to hike and relax in the park. You can also venture out to Thomas and Davis to enjoy great pizza at Sirianni’s, eat some amazing sandwiches at Farm Up, visit galleries, listen to live music at the Purple Fiddle, or grab local beer at Mountain State Brewing and Stumptown Brewing. There is a lot to do here and you won’t be disappointed that you visited.