This Quiet The United States Town Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
Resting about a 3-hour drive west of the nation's capital and a similar distance south of Pittsburgh, the unassuming town of Davis, West Virginia, is where surprisingly lofty Appalachian geography as far as the eye can see creates a true gem of a destination for nature lovers. Once a railroad and timber hub, this quiet community of around 600 residents now functions as a base to explore nearby protected areas, including Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley, and Monongahela National Forest.
In fact, outdoor recreation has largely replaced earlier industrial activity as the dominant draw, with visitors passing through year-round for hiking, skiing, and general access to some of the most distinctive terrain in the eastern United States. But even with that in mind, we feel Davis doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
An Appalachian Railway Town Turned Outdoor Tourist Destination
Davis was officially incorporated in 1889 during the rapid expansion of the timber, coal, and railroad industries in the highlands of northeastern West Virginia. The area's cool climate, abundant waterways, and mountainous terrain have since shaped both its historical development and modern identity. It was named after Henry Gassaway Davis, a prominent businessman, railroad executive, and later U.S. senator who played a major role in developing transportation networks across the region.
The arrival of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway transformed the then-budding community into a thriving industrial center, allowing vast quantities of coal and wood to be shipped from the surrounding mountains to the rest of the world. By the early twentieth century, sawmills, rail yards, and related industries supported a rapidly growing population. But as natural resources declined, the local economy shifted, eventually embracing tourism and building up infrastructure for outdoor recreation instead in recent decades.
Davis is more specifically located in Tucker County along the Blackwater River, sitting just above 3,500 feet (1,067 m) above sea level in the heart of the Allegheny range, a part of the broader Appalachian Mountains. Surrounded by rugged ridges, dense forests, and high-elevation plateaus, its location near a number of state and national parks places it among West Virginia's most scenic landscapes.
Parks, Landmarks, and Other Things to See and Do Around Davis
Given its position deep within West Virginia's wildernesses, Davis is surrounded by a not-all-that-surprising amount of world-class parks and other nature-oriented attractions. If it's your first time in the area, here are a few must-see locales that we highly recommend.
Blackwater Falls Boardwalk
Just minutes outside of Davis, this spot offers what may be the most accessible and iconic view of Blackwater Falls, the 57-foot (17.5 m) waterfall that serves as the centerpiece of none other than Blackwater Falls State Park. More than 200 wooden steps and observation platforms descend into the gorge, offering increasingly dramatic perspectives of the dark, amber-colored water as it plunges over sandstone ledges. The waterway gets its distinctive color from tannic acid released by fallen spruce and hemlock needles upstream.
This boardwalk is open year-round, and each season offers a different experience, from vibrant autumn foliage to frozen ice formations during winter, keeping it among the area's most visited attractions for a plethora of reasons.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
The Dolly Sods Wilderness is a 17,371-acre federally protected area also located a short drive from downtown Davis. Rising to elevations of 4,700 feet (1,433 m), this landscape is unlike most of West Virginia (or much of the east half of the United States, for that matter), featuring a mix of windswept plateaus, open heath barrens, sphagnum bogs, and stunted red spruce forests that resemble habitats found much farther north in Canada.
The area was heavily logged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and later used as a military training ground during World War II before being designated wilderness in 1975. Today, visitors come to explore more than 45 miles (72.5 km) of hiking trails that cross its various rocky overlooks, high meadows, and remote stream valleys. Popular backcountry viewpoints, like those at Bear Rocks or the Lion's Head, offer sweeping vistas of the Allegheny Mountains and surrounding forests that are certainly worthy of a photo or two.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Canaan Valley Resort State Park occupies more than 6,000 acres within the broad Canaan Valley, one of the highest large valleys east of the Mississippi River. Located about 8 miles (13 km) south of town, this park is a year-round destination known for its diverse recreational opportunities and picturesque scenery.
Here, you can ride a chairlift up to panoramic overlooks, hike through lush forests and meadows, and simply appreciate the valley's array of other pristine wildlife habitats. During winter, the Canaan Valley Ski Resort operates downhill ski slopes, snow tubing runs, and cross-country skiing trails, making it a sought-after destination even in the colder months.
The park also features an 18-hole golf course, fishing areas, and numerous advantageous spots for birdwatching and landscape photography. You can also stay overnight in comfort at the Inn at Canaan, a family-friendly accommodation with a mini golf course on-site as well.
Monongahela National Forest
Monongahela National Forest covers almost one million acres across the eastern half of the state, forming the vast natural backdrop surrounding Davis. Established in 1920, the forest protects some of the state's tallest mountains, largest tracts of public land, and most ecologically diverse biomes.
You'll be able to access hundreds of miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails within it, many leading to remote waterfalls, lookout points, and high-elevation spruce forests. This sizable parkland also contains several notable natural and historic landmarks, including Spruce Knob (the highest point in West Virginia, at 4,863 feet (1,482 m)), Green Bank Observatory, and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, just to name a few. Monongahela also boasts healthy populations of black bears, deer, and numerous bird species.
For most travelers, Monongahela National Forest serves as the primary gateway to the great outdoor spaces that now define Davis; an immense, all-encompassing park you will almost certainly step foot in, whether you know it or not, while exploring the area.
Staying Overnight in Davis
Overnight accommodations in and around Davis range from park lodges and resort hotels to cabins, motels, and campgrounds. For a scenic sleep, Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge provides upscale rooms within its namesake park, placing you close to a number of trails and viewpoints. As mentioned before, Canaan Valley Resort State Park also offers its own hotel rooms, campsites, and rentals, as well as convenient slopeside access during winter months.
Downtown Davis includes a selection of smaller, perhaps more budget-friendly inns and hotels, like the Alpine Lodge and The Billy Motel. Scattered along closeby forested roads and in the neighboring city of Thomas, there is a variety of rental cabins and vacation homes to be booked, too. But if you're more keen on spending the night under the stars, several campgrounds in Monongahela National Forest and other nearby state parks provide additional options for tent and RV stays.
Note that availability varies heavily by season, with winter ski traffic and summer hiking periods often filling rooms and cabins quickly in peak travel months, especially on weekends and holidays.
Come to Davis for an Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure Today
Davis perfectly combines its small-town vibes with immediate access to some of West Virginia’s most distinctive landscapes. Its position near a variety of incredible natural attractions places it within easy reach of remote-feeling forests, wetlands, and mountain terrain not too far from the Atlantic Coast and its many busy metropolises. With that, consider this community for your next outdoor escape in the United States, whether you're flying in, need a stop on a road trip, or simply want a quick weekend getaway from big city life.
