Hiking areas begin developing around Davis

DAVIS, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Mountaineer Trail Network has unveiled its new trail sign system for Camp 70, which is a roughly 30-mile trail system around Davis that includes well-known areas like Moon Rocks.

The Mountaineer Trail Network was created by the West Virginia State Legislature in 2019 to spearhead an effort to make West Virginia a premier recreation area. The new trail sign system is meant to make the area more accessible for visitors with kiosks set up that include maps of the trails and how difficult they can be.

Mountain Trail Network Executive Director Andrew Walker praised Camp 70 for its natural beauty. “It’s just an amazing place for people to be able to go mountain biking or hike. There’s spruce forests, exposed rock areas, beautiful vistas. It’s an amazing place to be able to go and recreate.”

The sign project cost $30,000, and Camp 70 will receive another $20,000 grant for maintenance and trail enhancements.

During the presentation for the sign system, Nathan Sams of the National Youth Science Academy—which is where the presentation was hosted—talked about a new land development that the academy is planning to create.

The National Youth Science Academy hosts summer camps that bring together students from all over the country and the world for STEAM-related enrichment. They academy is currently raising funds to build facilities that will house 150 students and staff, a cafeteria, and an amphitheater.

Along with the summer camp, the National Youth Science Academy plans on having the facility be available to the surrounding Davis and Thomas area as well as opening reservations for private use.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.