Canaan Valley, Mountain valley and National Natural Landmark in Tucker County, West Virginia, US.
Canaan Valley is a mountain valley and National Natural Landmark in Tucker County, spanning roughly 39 square miles at an elevation of 3,200 feet. The area features extensive wetlands that form the source of the Blackwater River and support a diverse array of plant and animal life.
The valley was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1974, protecting habitats from the Ice Age with ecosystems rarely found in the eastern United States. This designation helped preserve the valley's ecological character from intensive development.
The valley transformed from a logging region into a place where people come to enjoy winter sports and outdoor recreation year-round. Visitors experience the landscape through skiing, hiking, and other activities that connect them to the mountain environment.
The valley welcomes visitors during winter with skiing and in warmer months with hiking and outdoor recreation on mountain trails. Lodging options including hotels, cabins, and campsites are available, along with dining and other on-site facilities.
The area receives over 170 inches of snowfall annually and contains more than 580 plant species and 280 animal species in its protected wetlands. This remarkable concentration of biodiversity makes it an uncommon example of well-maintained highland ecosystems in the region.
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