Tips for planning a fall vacation in West Virginia
Another autumn season is in the books here at The Golden Anchor Cabins. Though this is our busiest time of the year we did manage to get to a few lookout points and enjoy the vibrant colors. At the end of this post are some of our favorite pictures we took while out and about. While we were hiking the Middle Ridge Trail in Canaan Valley State Park in late in October it occurred to me that many that are not familiar to West Virginia and our fall season. Here's a quick list of tips to keep in mind if you're thinking about visiting Tucker County or anywhere in the Potomac Highlands to take in the changing of the leaves.
1 Timing is Everything
The last week of September and the first week of October is quite frequently when the leaves peak in Davis & Canaan Valley (north of our cabins). While Dolly Sods nears its peak at around the same time, the view from the Sods looking south into Grant County and Pocahontas County won't be changing until mid-October. Seneca Rocks and much of Elkins and greater Randolph County (south of our cabins) will see its peak in mid to late October.
2 Make Your Reservation Early
This is West Virginia's most traveled season. The most choice lodging locations will frequently begin seeing reservations for leaf-peeping during the spring months. By summer, all that will be available are mid-week stays. If you want to make sure you get a weekend where the leaves are stunning, my advice is to book it by May.
3 Watch for the Leaf Peeper's Festival in Davis to be Scheduled
The town of Davis holds an annual festival on its main thoroughfare where locals come out to play music, cook food on the street and sell crafts at the Fire House craft show. The Tucker County CVB plans this every year and they almost always time their dates with the peak turn. Follow the Tucker County's Leaf Peepers Festival here.
4 Halloween is a Last Chance Opportunity.
While much of the higher elevations have lost their leaves, Canaan Valley State Park's undergrowth is still very pretty and the weather is great for hiking through the crunchy leaves. The same rules apply to Blackwater Falls State Park. While the leaves may be gone at the top of the mountain, much of the valley floor's leaves are still pretty. As an added bonus, both parks have all sorts of Halloween activities including haunted houses.
Please enjoy our pictures. We're definitely not professional photographers but we hope they will inspire you enough to come stay with us and see our area's natural beauty for yourself. If you've enjoyed this article we encourage you to share it on your preferred social media source and don't forget to leave a comment for us!
