Canaan Valley

Kent Mason, Photographer / Conservationist

Canaan Valley is the largest high elevation wetland east of the Rocky Mountains. Located in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, this unique valley is 14 miles long and 2 to 4 miles wide. The elevation varies from 3,200 to 4,300 feet. It's wet, cool to cold boreal climate is similar to that of Maine and Canada and contains many of the plants and wildlife found much further north. The 16,000 acre Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge occupies a large part of the valley and provides opportunity for wildlife watching, photography, hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. The combination of bogs, wetlands, shrub land, heather, meadows, spruce, fir, hemlock and mixed forests found throughout the valley provides a diversity of wildlife habitat. Cabin Mountain located on the southeast side of the valley is a popular downhill and crosscountry ski area. This gallery provides a visual tour of Canaan Valley.