Explore the Beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia

---

Blackwater Falls is a WV state park and is one of nature’s crowning achievements and West Virginia's most visited park. While its 2,358 acres of rugged natural beauty and towering hardwoods certainly don’t lack standout, jaw-dropping, Instagram-worthy features, the iconic Falls themselves are indisputably the park’s crown jewel.   18 miles from the bed and breakfast

 The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet.  13 miles from the bed and breakfast

 Otter Creek Wilderness is 20,698 acres in size. The Otter Creek Wilderness lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain. Most of the streams flow north into Otter Creek. Vegetation consists of second-growth timber, rhododendron, and a variety of mosses and lichens. Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the mouth of Otter Creek to 3,900 feet on McGowan Mountain. Otter Creek Wilderness has 45 miles of trails .  16 miles from bed and breakfast

Seneca Rocks, one of WV state parks, is one of the best-known landmarks in West Virginia. These rocks have long been noted as a scenic attraction and are popular with rock climbers.  25 miles from the bed and breakfast

The Cheat River flows north cutting a beautiful path all the way through Tucker County. When it comes to planning the best day out on the Cheat, look no further than our friends at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures.  BOA utilizes several miles of the Cheat from Parsons, WV all the way into Preston County.  They offer everything from lazy tube rides to canoes and inflatable kayaks to class II & III white water rapids rafting adventures great for everyone from an outdoorsy couple to the entire family.  BOA has wonderful, friendly guides and an outfitter campus located in St. George, WV.

(304)478-3775

30 miles from the BnB

Spruce Knob, at 4,863 feet, is the highest point in the state of West Virginia and the summit of Spruce Mountain, the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains.   25 miles from the bed and breakfast

Canaan Valley, one of the WV state parks, is an oval, bowl-like upland valley in northeastern Tucker County, West Virginia, USA. Within it are extensive wetlands and the headwaters of the Blackwater River which spills out of the valley at Blackwater Falls.  9.2 miles from bed and breakfast

NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, formerly known as the Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center, is a privately-owned adventure destination that encompasses 145 mountainous acres, including the two Tuscarora Quartzite fins of Nelson Rocks. Located in the beautiful North Fork Valley of Pendleton County, West Virginia, NROCKS is home to a Via Ferrata, The North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and incredible guided rock climbing trips. Come visit and experience an adventure of a lifetime! 

(877) 435-4842

 https://www.nrocks.com/

In 1974, Canaan Valley was designated as a National Natural Landmark because of its extraordinary wetland attributes. In 1994 Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge was dedicated as the Nation’s 500th National Wildlife Refuge with the purchase of an 86-acre wetland tract. Today, the Refuge hosts more than 17,000 acres of special habitat and contains an estimated 580 species of plants and 280 species of animals.  10 miles from the bed and breakfast

The River that runs through the BnB property, the Dry Fork, is the second largest tributary of the Cheat River. Stocked thoroughly with Brown, Golden, and Rainbow trout from March thru May. River access at Mill Run along River Road is strait forward and obvious (about 7 miles upriver of Hendricks). Scout for the best holes by vehicle. The river is wide and very user friendly through the Dry Fork Valley. Fish are stocked from Old Mill below Harman downstream four miles to Tucker County and from Route 26 to Red Run, a tributary. Length: 12.09 miles Stocked: once in February and once every two weeks March thru May Right out the back door of the bed and breakfast.

The short hike to Lindy Point takes you to the most scenic overlook in Blackwater Falls State Park.  If you go to Blackwater Falls State Park for the falls, stay for the overlooks.  This one, the most popular in the park, overlooks Blackwater Canyon from 3,000 feet above.  Although the parking area at the trailhead is small with room for only 4-5 cars, you can also park along the road or at the ski center one mile away.  The sign marking the trailhead is easy to miss; if you see the road sign advising of a rough road ahead, you're at the right spot - park here!  18 miles from the bed and breakfast

Cast off all year long in West Virginia. Any day during the four seasons can be a good day to go fishing. Cool off during the summer by fishing in any of the secluded streams. Try your hand at ice fishing during the winter. Whatever time of year you go, our rivers, lakes, and streams are stocked with trout, bass, bluegill, and other sport fish.

Enquire about a private fishing guide upon 

check-in.

Located on a great American Indian trading route through the Appalachian Mountains, Seneca Caverns takes you 165 feet below ground on a wondrous guided tour.  Witness history dating back over 460 million years ago, with rocks and minerals shaped by millions of years of water flow through majestic limestone that, at one time made up the sea floor.

https://senecacaverns.com/

Don’t let the name fool you. Smoke Hole Cavern is home to the second-highest cavern ceiling in the Eastern United States. Learn about the history of the people who used the cavern from the Seneca Indians to moonshiners.  Spot either the different species of trout in the cavern’s pools or the many features like the Room of a Million Stalactites.

https://www.smokehole.com/

 Practice your swing while surrounded by breathtaking views of the highest mountain valley east of the Rocky Mountains.  Canaan Valley Resort offers an 18-hole, par-72 golf course that provides the perfect amount of challenge for golfers of every level. 

Mountain Biking is truly a four-season activity in West Virginia.  Grab your fat-tire bikes and enjoy the mountain state during the winter. The peak season to hit the trail is during the summer and early fall when there is less rain, and the trails are drier.

Picture this: mountains beside you, grass below you, and a gleaming starry-night sky above. There’s a reason West Virginia is known as Almost Heaven. Here, you can get back to the basics and marvel at the natural beauty of a dark sky. West Virginia is home to showstopping stargazing spots with some of the clearest night skies east of the Mississippi. If you’re looking for an otherworldly experience, you’ll find that and more in a wide-open West Virginia sky.

With acres of wide-open public lands, West Virginia makes an excellent destination for hitting the trails on a hunt. From whitetail deer and native black bear to turkey and gray squirrels, the game is as diverse as the mountain landscape behind it. West Virginia’s hunting seasons start early in the spring and transition throughout the fall months. If you’re looking to connect with nature through a hunt, this is the place for you

Either Canaan Valley Resort or Timberline Mountain.

Get a breathtaking bird's eye view of the valley and Allegheny Mountains from a chairlift. The picturesque landscape becomes even more so in the fall as the leaves change and surround you in a sea of color. It's the best seat in the house.  Ride the lift both ways, or get off at the top and hike down. Whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed. Please note: Guests are required to wear close-toed shoes on the lift. 

The Canaan Valley trap shooting facility is a five stand sporting clays clay target field. Shooters fire five rounds from each shooting position for a total of 25 shots in an individual round. The trap can be set for an easy repetitive bird flight path for beginning shooters; or on automatic/wobble for more advanced shooters. The launcher fires birds (clay discs) in a variety of angles and heights. The trap resets itself automatically after each shot so the shooter is never sure which flight path the clay target will take.

For over 80 years, scientists have used the Fernow Experimental Forest to address biological issues that affect the many forests and biodiversity of West Virginia. Settled along the central Appalachians, many birds have been viewed or live within the forest. Some of those birds include thrushes, wood warblers, mourning warblers, and golden-winged warblers. Fernow Experimental Forest is located west of Canaan Valley State Park.

Founded in 1972 by the West Virginia Scenic Trail Association.  

The  Allegheny Trail is a 311-mile north-south trail from the Mason-Dixon Line at the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border until it meets the Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain at the Virginia-West Virginia border.

Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast is located in section 2 of the trail,  which is from Blackwater Falls State Park to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and is 91.8 miles long.  We offer support for hikers and we can  help you plan your hike through section 2. We also offer 3 different section hikes that involve shuttle out and hike back or you have the option of getting on trail from the BnB.  Call for more details.

Trout Hatchery and Trout Fishing

Season Opens March 1 

Season Ends first week of July

Monday- Saturdays 9am - 5pm

Sundays 1pm - 5pm

1602 Jessi Ours Rd

Scherr, WV 26726

Phone: 304-257-6232

 Situated 10 miles east of Elkins is the Bowden State Fish Hatchery. The facility is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. If you are traveling in from a distance, it is best to call ahead. You can also find out what time they are feeding for the day to get the full experience. The Bowden State Fish Hatchery stocks streams, lakes, and rivers throughout North Central West Virginia. The facility places more than 200,000 trout into waterways during the stocking season, which lasts from January until May 

304-637-0238

Cross country skiing is so fun! You will enjoy our quality rentals, expert lessons, and varied trails. Please walk in, just show up, as we don’t take reservations. We are ready for you! Plan on reduced access to our well ventilated lodge, utilizing our breezeway and its potbelly stove. Fire circles blaze daily near the lodge. Outdoor access to our cafe, 5 johnnie on the spots, and plenty of room on the mountain for skiers.  10 miles from the bed and breakfast 

https://whitegrass.com/

Newly renovated by new ownership Timberline Mountain features 1,000 feet of vertical drop and terrain that appeals to a wide variety of skiers and snowboarders. Ride to the top of the mountain in the brand-new Doppelmayr 6-passenger lift (the first of its kind in WV). The ski resort has also added a four-passenger mid-mountain chairlift that services beginner and intermediate terrain and offers easy access to two terrain parks and trail-side lodging. Other improvements include a re-graded learning area with a conveyor carpet lift, extensive upgrades to the snowmaking system, a fully remodeled rental shop, consolidated food service facilities and an updated outdoor area. 

https://timberlinemountain.com/

 12 miles from the bed and breakfast 

 Due to its high elevation and annual snowfall of about 180 inches, Canaan Valley Resort has a lengthy season for snow sports and recreation. The park has 47 trails for downhill skiers and snowboarders as well as trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Canaan Valley Resort also has a tubing park and covered ice rink. https://www.canaanresort.com/ski-winter-activities/skiing-snowboarding/

Sharpen your skates and head to our outdoor, covered ice rink located right behind the main lodge building. Witness an unbeatable view of Canaan Valley and the Allegheny Mountains while mastering your figure-eights or while warming up beside the rink's outdoor fireplace. Don't have your won skates, no problem, we rent them here.

https://www.canaanresort.com/ski-winter-activities/ice-skating/

Experience the thrill of racing down more than a quarter mile of fresh mountain snow on the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park. The longest sled run on the East Coast, the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a must-do every year. Create cherished memories and experience wintertime fun with friends and family at Blackwater Falls. 

https://wvstateparks.com/things-to-do/blackwater-falls-sled-run/

 Canaan Valley Resort State Park attracts snow sport enthusiasts from around the world, and while many of those come for skiing and snowboarding, many also come for snow tubing.  The park boasts an impressive snow tubing park that features runs that are 1,200 feet long – making it the longest multi-lane snow tubing park in the Mid-Atlantic. In order to reach the top of the tubing runs, the park offers visitors a “magic carpet” that will transport them up the mountain where they will be met with jaw-dropping panoramic views of Canaan Valley.

Snowshoeing around the mountains of Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls is the perfect way to begin your trek through Almost Heaven. Three area outfitters offer snowshoe rentals for a day exploring the snowy backcountry. Take advantage of the guided snowshoe tours at Whitegrass Cross Country Ski area. These informative treks led by historians, biologists, and local know-all’s are truly a one of a kind experience.