Facility Overview

The National Wildlife Refuge Parking Area on Camp 70 Road serves as a critical outdoor recreation staging ground within the northern portion of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area. Situated just southeast of the charming mountain hamlet of Davis, West Virginia, this parking facility is an expansive, rustic open-air gravel surface lot. Surrounded by high-altitude wetlands, northern hardwood forests, and the meandering upper reaches of the Blackwater River, the area caters to outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Because it is an open-air surface trailhead without overhead beams or entrance portals, there are no vertical clearance restrictions, making it easily accessible for high-clearance 4x4 vehicles, standard passenger cars, light trucks with mountain bike racks, and adventure vans. The lot layout allows for pull-in parking along the perimeter, though larger recreational vehicles and vehicles towing long trailers should take caution due to limited turnaround radiuses along the narrow gravel corridor.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned where the mountain town of Davis meets pristine public wilderness, this parking area places visitors right at the epicenter of Tucker County’s renowned adventure corridors. Within minutes from leaving your vehicle, you can access:

• Camp 70 Trail System: Directly adjacent multi-use trails offering miles of non-motorized hiking, trail running, equestrian riding, and mountain biking across Canaan Valley\'s scenic wetland meadows.
• Upper Blackwater River: Immediate access for catch-and-release fly fishing, quiet water kayaking, and peaceful streamside exploration.
• Downtown Davis (1.5 miles northwest): A 5-minute drive connects drivers to Davis’s vibrant main street, celebrated for craft breweries like Stumptown Ales, historic dining favorites such as Sirianni\'s Cafe, local art galleries, outdoor gear outfitters, and coffee shops.
• Blackwater Falls State Park (under 4 miles west): Home to the iconic 57-foot amber-colored cascade, scenic river gorge overlooks, and winter sled runs.
• Canaan Valley Resort State Park & Timberline Mountain (10 to 12 miles south): Regional epicenters for downhill skiing, snowboarding, championship golf, and family outdoor adventures.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the parking facility is straightforward from downtown Davis. Drivers turn off WV-32 (William Avenue) onto Camp 70 Road, crossing the Blackwater River bridge and following the dirt-and-gravel roadway roughly 1 to 1.5 miles south into refuge property. While the road is maintained, it is predominantly packed dirt and crushed limestone with occasional washboards, ruts, or potholes, especially following spring thaws and heavy Appalachian rainstorms. Front-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles handle the road comfortably in dry and mild seasons, while winter visits require dedicated winter tires or all-wheel-drive capabilities due to snow accumulations at over 3,100 feet of elevation. Public transit does not operate in this rural backcountry region, making personal vehicles, rideshares originating locally, or bikepacking the primary modes of travel. The area connects seamlessly to major regional routes via WV-32, with quick links to US Route 48 (Corridor H) for direct transit to and from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Public Access: No day-use parking fees or refuge entrance permits required for standard day parking.
• Rustic Open-Air Surface: Hard-packed gravel and crushed stone surfacing suitable for standard vehicle weights.
• Unrestricted Headroom: Fully open-sky parking accommodating tall roof tents, overland conversions, and rooftop sporting equipment.
• Interpretive Kiosk: On-site bulletin board providing refuge boundary maps, trail regulations, and seasonal wildlife advisory notices.
• Pet-Friendly Access: Dogs are welcome on refuge trails and within the lot area but must remain on a physical leash at all times to protect vulnerable nesting wildlife.

Ideal For

• Hikers & Trail Runners: Direct jumping-off point to explore the extensive Beall Trails, Sand Run, and Blackwater View networks.
• Mountain Bikers & Gravel Cyclists: Instant connectivity into both the CVNWR doubletrack and the rugged singletrack paths of Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area.
• Fly Anglers & Paddlers: Convenient staging for putting in kayaks, canoes, or wading into native brook and brown trout waters.
• Wildlife Watchers & Photographers: High-potential habitat for spotting white-tailed deer, black bears, timber rattlesnakes, and over 180 species of migratory songbirds and raptors.
• Cross-Country Skiers & Snowshoers: Prime access point during snowy winter months when Camp 70 Road becomes a winter sports haven.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because cell service across Canaan Valley can be spotty or completely absent depending on your cellular carrier, download offline digital maps and trail GPS tracks prior to leaving town. The facility follows strict Leave No Trace principles; there are no public trash receptacles or permanent restroom facilities at this specific trailhead, so be prepared to pack out all garbage and waste. In deep winter, heavy snowfall can restrict roadside shoulders and parking space, so ensure your vehicle carries an emergency snow shovel and traction equipment. If you plan to embark on multi-day backcountry journeys, review refuge regulations, as overnight parking rules require permits through the refuge headquarters.