2K Sunday Gazette-Mail, February 19, 2017 OUTLOOK: Travel & Tourism STATE PARKS END-OF-WINTER Resort and Blackwater Falls state parks a hub of recreation even after the snow melts FUN INTER doesn’t last are open year-round and welcome visitors to enjoy spring greening, cool summer evenings, forever, but even when autumn foliage and winter sled riding. To plan it’s time to put away your next vacation, visit www.blackwaterfalls. W the skis, sleds and com or call 304-259-5216. tubes, the fun continues at Black- water Falls and Canaan Valley Canaan Valley Resort State Park Resort state parks near Davis in Because Canaan Valley Resort is a four-sea- son resort, there is always something to do, Tucker County. especially in the spring. It offers world-class Cool weather and snow-making equipment golf, rugged mountain trails for hiking and keep the slopes open as long as possible in the biking, and many special activities to let you new year, but eventually, spring returns and enjoy an escape from daily life. other forms of outdoor recreation take the Early season golf rates go into effect April place of snow activities. Blackwater Falls and 2 for the 18-hole, par 72 golf course that was Canaan Valley Resort state parks are close designed by Geoffrey Cornish. It has been together, so it’s easy to enjoy the offerings of rated four stars by Golf Digest and named one both parks during the same visit. of the top 10 courses in . Hikers and bikers can choose from among Blackwater Falls State Park 18 miles of marked trails that lead through woodlands, meadows, hills and streams. Many After the snow melts, Blackwater Falls State link with hundreds of miles of marked trails Park’s sledding and cross-country ski areas in the Monongahela National Forest. Spring take a break to make way for a wide variety is a good time and this is a good place for bird of other outdoors activities. The most popular, watching, wildlife sightings, plant discoveries of course, are hiking trails that lead you to the and star gazing. Bike and helmet rentals are famous Blackwater Falls on the scenic Black- available. water River, with side trips to the Elakala Falls Canaan’s newest outdoor sport activity is on the waters of Shay Run near the edge of trap shooting, one of the three major forms of From a snow-covered slope the and the Pendleton competitive clay pigeon shooting. Each shooter at Canaan Valley to a hiking trail Falls of Pendleton Run. Other trails take you gets 25 shotgun shots – five at Blackwater Falls, recreational to Lindy Point – 45 acres of pristine mountain shots per stand – with all shoot- views into Blackwater Canyon – and Pend- opportunities abound at state ing done under the authority parks in Tucker County. leton Point, which lets you see the canyon’s of a range supervisor. Reserva- deepest and widest point. tions are highly suggested for Special events and activities are scheduled this popular activity. all year, daily and on weekends. The Nature Many other recreational op- Center is open from Memorial Day through tions are available at this time Labor Day and features displays, programs of year. Geocaching is popular and information on the park’s natural re- for “treasure hunters” who use sources. GPS units to find hidden cach- A major spring event scheduled, for April es. Canaan Valley has five geo- 7-9, 2017, is the Becoming an Outdoors-Wom- caches hidden in the park, and an (BOW) spring workshop. This program the park offers GPS rentals for offers hands-on activities for adult women anyone who wants to try it. The ages 18 and older of all fitness levels and park’s Nature Center includes a outdoors experience. This is an opportunity 25-foot climbing wall that holds for women to learn new skills or hone existing up to three climbers at a time, talents. Early registration is required and the and family and friends can sign openings fill up quickly. If you have cabin fever and just want to up for the paintball field for an get away for a while on a budget, Blackwa- afternoon of active excitement. ter Falls State Park offers a several lodging Overnight guests can stay in options. The park boasts a 54-room lodge, 39 one of 160 beautifully appoint- vacation cabins and a 65-unit tent and trailer ed new lodge rooms and suites campground, which is open from Memorial with full amenities or one of Day through Labor Day. several cozy and comfortable From March 1 through May 18, 2017, take cabins and cottages, and enjoy advantage of the “Spring Cozy Cabin Break” meals at one of three resort early season special. It features discounted dining areas. Discounts are rates of 20 percent off standard cabin rates frequently available. Be sure to with a fireplace, housekeeping and linens ask when making reservations. provided. All you need is your own food and Most of these activities re- clothing. The special is for Sunday through quire reservations. Call 1-800- Thursday, with two nights minimum required. 622-4121 for information and Blackwater Lodge, cabins and restaurant scheduling. Photos courtesy of West Virginia Dept. of Commerce West Virginia State Parks irst to install electric vehicle charging stations

possible by doing our part to good way to encourage them Service promotes reduce admissions,” Redford to visit West Virginia as they conservation says. “We’re really preparing plan their vacations and busi- for the future as technology ness trips.” goals improves and more and more Learn more about West Vir- travelers are buying electric ginia’s state parks at wvstate- Electric vehicle (EV) driv- and hybrid vehicles. This is a parks.wordpress.com. ers can now rest assured that they West Virginia’s state lodge parks and return home SOUTH CHARLESTON without fear of running out of charge. EV charging stations ANTIQUEMALL have been installed at Pipes- tem, Twin Falls and Cacapon resort state parks, with plans Multiple Dealer Sales underway to install stations Throughout the Store at Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, North Bend and Tygart Lake state parks, at Chief Lo- Mon.-Sat.10-6 Sun. 12-5 gan Lodge, and at Stonewall South Charleston Antique Mall Resort. 617 DSt., So. Chas. 25303 Installation of stations is ForInformation Call 304-744-8975 funded by a grant provided by the U.S. Department of EV charging stations have been installed at Pipestem, Twin Energy through the West Vir- Falls and Cacapon resort state parks, with plans underway ginia Division of Energy. to install stations at Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, North “We’re opening the door for Bend and Tygart Lake state parks, at Chief Logan Lodge and a whole new demographic,” at Stonewall Resort. says Paul Redford, district administrator for the Parks and Recreation Section of Besides making the state conservation by preserving the West Virginia Division parks more attractive to EV and protecting natural areas of Natural Resources. “West drivers, the installation of the while providing outdoor rec- Virginia will be the first state stations fits in with part of the reational opportunities. that has EV chargers at all of mission of West Virginia state “We are trying to be as its lodge parks. With all the parks, which is to promote environmentally friendly as Interstate systems running MAKE YOUR through the state, we are sitting in an area that’s per- NEXT ADVENTURE fect for electric car charging AMOUNTAINRAIL stations.” thru the gorge Redford says State Parks From Huntington, WV to Hinton, WV and Return! ADVENTURE! officials anticipate the in- stallation of the EV chargers will make the parks more New River attractive to visitors from ® Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Huntington, WV Train Washington, D.C., and even Hinton, WV EXCURSIONS as far away as . “Once Since 1966 they visit us, we hope our hospitality and facilities will October21, 22, 28, &29, 2017 bring them back again,” says Four,300 Mile Long Round Trip One Day Excursions Through The Redford. The stations, which will Majestic &Historic, Grand Canyon of the East,The New River Gorge! have dual chargers, are clas- Heritage: $179 •Premium: $279 sified as Level 2 stations that Dome: $329 •Silver: $550 have 240 volts and can pro- Premium&Dome includes Breakfast and Dinner! duce 30 to 80 amps. Although SilverClass Includes Breakfast, Lunch,and Dinner! it is hoped the stations will 15% cancellation feeonand before September 1, 2017. help draw overnight guests No refunds after September 1, 2017. to the state park lodges, they also are available to any day Departing Elkins, Durbin, &Cass, WV. visitors who drive electric or 866-639-7487 See websitefor all excursion options. plug-in hybrid vehicles. There CALL: 866.746.1952 •MTN-RAIL.COM is no charge, so to speak, to www.NewRiverTrain.com use them.