Parsons / Thomas / Davis / Canaan Valley
Click here for a smartphone friendly cloud doc for Things to Do On-Site and Nearby
So much to see and do nearby in the river valley and on the mountain top.
The best resource for the mountaintop: www.CanaanValley.org -- by Tucker County Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce.
1. Thomas and Davis are former 19th and early 20th century coal mining towns turned tourist mecca's.
Things to do, eateries, brewpubs, antiques, galleries, shopping, ice cream, coffee shops and bakery, etc. sorted at the above weblink by our 4 towns -- Thomas / Davis / Canaan Valley and Parsons.
2. Check out both State Park Lodges
-
Canaan Valley State Park Lodge and Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge have an All You Can Eat breakfast buffets on Sat/Sun. for about $16 - $18/person... and includes coffee.
-
Blackwater Falls State Park and Lodge has many Blackwater canyon overlooks including one behind the lodge, Pendleton Point, Pase Point, and Lindy Point. And don't miss the short Elakala Falls trail just to the left of the Lodge. Of course, Blackwater Falls itself is amazing and shouldn’t be missed!
-
Also, take the Chair lift up at Canaan Valley state park (about $10).
3.Check out Douglas Falls in nearby Thomas along the Blackwater River.... also includes Alfred and Kennedy Falls -- google for directions, photos and details.
4. Check out Dolly Sods -- just past Canaan Valley off Rt. 32, skip the first entrance road (Lanesville rd. and take the 2nd entrance road just past Camden's Corner Mart in Dryfork (great sandwiches and sweets!) -- Bonnner Mountain Rd.
Make your goal Bear Rocks Preserve (google it / map it).
The drive to Bear Rocks in Dolly Sods once you leave Rt. 32 to Bonner Mountain Rd. and into the state park is about 30 minutes... and asphalt turns to gravel but its a decent road and worth the trip.
( - Things to Do On-Site and More Below - )
At Camp: Our Beach, River Tubes, Community Grill Pit
-
We have an amazing sandy beach at Brooklyn Heights Camp for all to enjoy. Located at the far end of camp upstream along the river. Bring the family down to water fun and please keep dogs on leash!
-
We provide some tubes for all to enjoy include some very large ones tethered to ropes and floating in the deeper swim holes off of the beach.
-
Bring you own kayaks to enjoy the flat waters or more.
-
There is also a couple of community bon-fire pits at the beach and a large grill pit for anyone to use and enjoy. Firewood is for sale by the wheelbarrow at $12.50 per packed wheelbarrow.
At Camp: Islands to Explore -
There are several islands along the 2100 feet of riverfront at the campground. When waters are low, there is much shoreline to explore. Feel free to wander and investigate safely.... a fire on the rocky shores is ok. During busy times, one can find much privacy along the shores of these islands and unusual access to points along the river.
Trails take you down or over to these islands, step carefully! -
One island, across from the office cabin, will have 4 community fire pits on the island -- no camping -- but first come, first served use to enjoy along with the shoreline and river access points accessible from this wonderful island oasis... a work in progress and still under development in 2024. Should be ready by Spring 2025. But feel free to explore nonetheless.
At Camp: Our Amazing Camp Waterfall
Near the main (first entrance to camp) -- just downstream towards the Hendricks Swinging Bridge, we have an amazing multi-tiered waterfall that may go up as high as 100 feet with about 10 tiers. In the spring and after heavy rains, it is truly one of the finest waterfall sites in Tucker Co. During peak summer and drought, it trickles, but its pathway down the mountain is still a stunning site to see.
At / Nearby Camp: Hike, Bike, Rollerblade & Swim
-
Brooklyn Heights Road is a dead end river road -- perfect for biking and rollerblading and long walks.
-
Walk downstream on Brooklyn Heights Rd. about 1/2 mile to the Hendricks Swinging Bridge (a pedestrian cable suspension bridge over the river to the town of Hendricks). Note the tall cascading waterfall feature on your left as you leave the camp area. Can be dry during summer droughts.
-
Cross the bridge and up ahead on the left begins the Allegheny Highlands Bike Trail -- 1st 4 miles to Parsons make for a beautiful walk or bike ride -- take your kids or dogs and enjoy the riverfront scenery and seasonal waterfalls along the first 2 miles or so of this trail!
Blackwater Canyon Bike Trail Van Service for biking from Thomas to Hendricks
Call Blackwater Bikes in Davis and arrange for a pick up for you and up to 3 total people with bikes --- pick up from Mill Race park in Parsons at 9am most days by arrangement... they will take you and your bikes up to Thomas where you will bike mostly downhill along the blackwater canyon back to hendricks and the nearby Hendricks swinging bridge via the Allegheny Highlands Bike Trail from Parsons. Downhill and then flat for about 14 miles -- spectacular scenery and exhilarating. No electric E-bike needed. Cost around $55 or $60?
Fernow Experimental Forest
About a mile from camp towards Parsons, this spectacular preserve includes gorgeous Elklick Run (creek) filled with waterfalls and shallow swim areas, a gorgeous road to hike or bike and just stunning creek valley scenery.
Take a sharp left turn after crossing over the concrete bridge off Brooklyn Heights Rd. on the way back to town onto State forest road 701.The first mile of this magnificent creek is filled with waterfalls, rapids, and spectacular creek topography... sometimes hard to see with summer foliage and often steep drops down into the creek canyon, use caution and enjoy.
At Camp: Dryfork River
Swim, fish, snorkel, kayak, canoe, tube
4 miles of wilderness deadend river road along the Dryfork. Plenty of parking areas and access to the river below off of Brooklyn Heights Rd.
Enjoy crossing over the Hendricks Swinging Bridge just half a mile walk downstream from camp.
OtterCreek Wilderness Area
OtterCreek Wilderness Area is best accessed across the river by car.... drive back into Parsons and go up Rt. 219 a couple of miles and turn right onto Rt. 72 -- drive through the villages of Hambleton and Hendricks and about 3 miles past Hendricks, off of Rt. 72, you will see parking for OtterCreek (sign is difficult to see -- RHS). Another beautiful swinging bridge and miles of spectacular hiking along OtterCreek.After you cross the bridge, go right, and walk up short set of step in hillside to begin the awesome creekside trail.
Get off the trail and hike along the boulders and rocks and crevices of OtterCreek. The trail is parallel, so you are always nearby.