DAVIS, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of fall foliage in West Virginia will further emerge this week.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize how the climate is just so much different here,” said Canaan Valley State Park and Resort superintendent Stan Beafore in an interview with MetroNews affiliate WMOV in Ravenswood. “In the southern part of the state or even the middle of the state, the leaves aren’t even changing yet.
Beafore said that in his view, West Virginia state parks are second to none, and offer an affordable but breathtaking excursion at this time of year.
“West Virginia has one of the greatest state park system in the nation. Actually, I’m biased, I think we do have the best state park system in the nation,” Beafore said. “It’s very diverse. For the next month, West Virginia state parks are the place to be.”
Beafore previewed some of his favorite parks in the area, aside from just Canaan Valley which he said is beautiful.
“There’s North Bend State Park (near Cairo in Richie County), which has a lodge and some cabins. It’s very nice,” he explained. “Also there’s Blennerhassett State Park (in Parkersburg) which is a historical state park. There’s an island and a mansion. It’s very old; if you’re into history, that’s a very nice state park to visit.”
He definitely encouraged state park enthusiasts to get to Canaan Valley over the next week or two.
“The colors are going to be peak here within the next ten days; it’s already starting. There’s some trees that are already in full color. But for it all to hit, it’s going to be about seven to ten days and it will be absolutely gorgeous here.”