Elkins

Elkins is a city of 7,000 people (as of 2020) in Randolph County, West Virginia. It is home to Davis & Elkins College, a small private college. Because of its size and convenient location, you'll likely want to use Elkins as a base to get to a variety of nearby sights and attractions.

Elkins is convenient to the Monongahela National Forest. It is less than an hour from the tiny high elevation twin towns of Thomas and Davis, noted for Blackwater Falls State Park, the Canaan Valley, Timberline Ski Resort and the region's caverns. One hour South will bring you to Snowshoe Mountain.

Understand
It was incorporated in 1890, and named for Stephen Benton Elkins, a US senator from 1891 to 1893 who came from West Virginia. Elkins is the county seat of Randolph County, and as the largest city for a significant distance in any direction; nearby Buckhannon is slightly smaller and the nearest city larger than Elkins is Clarksburg.

By car
Elkins lies at the intersection of four major roads: US-33, which goes through Buckhannon and Harrisonburg, Virginia; US-48, which parallels US-33 from Weston through Buckhannon to Elkins and then deviates towards Davis, Wardensville, and Strasburg, Va where it connects with I-81 near it's junction with I-66.US-250, which goes through Grafton and Staunton, Virginia; and US-219, which goes through Somerset, Pennsylvania and Marlinton.

Get around
Elkins has no public transportation. You can get around town easily by foot or bike, but any real adventure would require a car.

See



 * Seneca Rocks, US-33 and WV-28, +1 304-567-2827. 900-foot-tall formations made of Tuscarora quartzite with over 375 mapped climbing routes and a self-guided interpretive trail with a viewing platform.


 * Spruce Knob, Forest Road, +1 304-567-2827. The highest point in West Virginia, at 4,861 feet. A stone and steel observation tower provides 360-degree views, and there's a half-mile trail circling the Knob. Fishing, hiking and an on-site campground with 43 sites.



Do

 * Visit beautiful Stuart Parklocated outside of town on US Rt 33. During the summer months bring gear to go for a swim in the river, or just go wading. Pack a blanket and a picnic lunch, spread out and enjoy the outdoors. Available for rent are many different styles of campsites, for overnight guests. Pavilions are also available for rent, perfect for an outdoor get together.
 * Visit beautiful Stuart Parklocated outside of town on US Rt 33. During the summer months bring gear to go for a swim in the river, or just go wading. Pack a blanket and a picnic lunch, spread out and enjoy the outdoors. Available for rent are many different styles of campsites, for overnight guests. Pavilions are also available for rent, perfect for an outdoor get together.

Events

 * Antique Car Show, Held every 4th of July weekend, the car show fills the Elkins City Park with vehicles of all makes and models, past and present. Fun for car lovers of all ages, activities include live music, games, and vendor demonstrations.
 * International Ramp Festival and Cook-off, Elkins City Park, Held at the end of April. One of the first vegetables to appear in spring are wild leeks, known as ramps, which are widely celebrated in the Appalachian region. Live music, entertainment, and ramps cooked every way possible. Admission free.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.

Learn

 * The local area newspaper is The Inter-Mountain, Their offices are located at 520 Railroad Avenue,.

Go next

 * Buckhannon, about 30 minutes west on US-33, is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College.
 * Helvetia, about 1 hour south on US-219 and CR-46, is a laid-back village with a strong Swiss cultural heritage.
 * Marlinton, about 1 hour and 15 minutes south on US-219 and US-250, is a good base to reach the Cass Scenic Railroad.
 * Morgantown, about 1 hour and 30 minutes north on US-33 and I-79, is home to West Virginia University.
 * Weston, about 45 minutes west on US-33.