Elkins: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · West Virginia · 27k people

Elkins

Locals say Potomac Highlands · “Mountain City”

Where the mountains whisper

Davis & Elkins College scarletForest greenMountain dusk blue

Welcome to the Potomac Highlands, where the mountains are big and the pace is slow. Whether you're here for the trails, the trains, or just the fresh air, you'll find a friendly wave and a story to share.

Clubs for Elkins

No clubs for Elkins yet.

The room

Elkins Quiet now Where the mountains whisper

One room for everyone around Elkins. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Elkins. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Monongahela National Forest Vast public forest surrounding the region, with hundreds of miles of trails
Spruce Knob Highest point in West Virginia, with panoramic views
Seneca Rocks Iconic quartzite crag popular with climbers and hikers
Cass Scenic Railroad Steam locomotive rides up Bald Knob
Green Bank Observatory Home of the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope
Davis & Elkins College Historic college campus with scenic grounds

Outdoors Hike the Seneca Rocks Trail
Outdoors Ride the Cass Scenic Railroad
With kids Ride the Durbin Rocket
With kids Picnic at Beverly's historic town square
Evenings Live music at local breweries
Evenings Campfire gatherings
Locals love Mountain trails
Locals love Historic railroad depots

Through the year

Mountain State Forest Festival October Elkins' signature fall festival with parades, pageants, and music
Randolph County Fair Summer County fair with livestock, rides, and local food
Green Bank Star Quest September Astronomy star party at the observatory
Ramps Festival Spring Celebration of wild leeks with food and crafts
Durbin Days Summer Railroad-themed festival in Durbin

The climate is humid continental with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The best time to be out is fall for crisp air and vibrant foliage, and spring for ramps and wildflowers. Best: Fall for crisp air and vibrant foliage, spring for ramps and wildflowers.

Talk like a local

“holler”: A small valley or hollow.
“crick”: A creek.
“ramps”: Wild leeks, a spring delicacy.
“the highlands”: The Potomac Highlands region.

Getaways

Morgantown Catch a WVU game or explore the college town
Harrisonburg Visit Shenandoah Valley attractions
Clarksburg Historic sites and the annual Italian Festival
Cumberland Ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Local flavour

Teams

Davis & Elkins Senators NCAA Division II

Also rooting for West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA Division I), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)

Eat and drink

Pepperoni rolls The state food, a soft roll stuffed with pepperoni – a staple in every local bakery and gas station.
Ramps Wild leeks foraged in spring, celebrated at local festivals and served fried with potatoes or in soups.
Trout Fresh from mountain streams, often pan-fried at small diners and lodges.
Apple butter Slow-cooked in copper kettles at autumn community gatherings, spread on biscuits.

Where people go

Mountain trails Endless hiking and biking paths through national forest and along ridgelines.
Historic railroad depots Old train stations like the Elkins Depot, now hosting scenic excursions through the mountains.
Small-town diners Family-run eateries with home-style cooking, where everyone knows your name.
Country stores General stores selling local jams, tools, and gossip – the heart of rural life.

Heritage and traditions

Elkins and the Potomac Highlands are proud of their deep Appalachian heritage, the beauty of the Monongahela National Forest, and a living railroad and logging history that shaped the mountain towns.

This time of year in Elkins

Fall leaf peeping October Drives on the Highland Scenic Highway and train rides through color.
Apple butter stir-offs September–October Community gatherings to make apple butter in copper kettles.
Hunting season Fall Deer and turkey hunting are a fall tradition in the national forest.
Mountain State Forest Festival October West Virginia's largest festival, with parades, a queen, and lumberjack contests.

Say it like a local: “Holler” — A hollow or small valley between hills

Festivals

Mountain State Forest Festival October West Virginia's largest festival, with parades, a queen, and lumberjack contests.
Randolph County Fair August A classic county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
Green Bank Star Quest Summer An astronomy gathering at the National Radio Quiet Zone, perfect for stargazers.
Ramps Festival April Celebrates the wild leek with suppers, music, and a 5k run.
Durbin Days June A weekend of railroad history and family activities in Durbin.
Pocahontas County Fair August Agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and local talent.

Landmarks with a story

Beverly Historic District A National Historic Landmark with 18th- and 19th-century buildings, once a Civil War outpost.
Old Brick Church Built in 1812 in Beverly, one of the oldest churches in the state.
Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike A 19th-century road that opened the mountains to settlement and trade.
Highland Scenic Highway A scenic byway offering panoramic views of the Allegheny Highlands.
Pocahontas County Courthouse A stately courthouse in Marlinton, built in 1905, anchoring the town square.
Webster County Courthouse A Romanesque-style courthouse in Webster Springs, known for its clock tower.

Food traditions

Pepperoni rolls A West Virginia staple—soft bread wrapped around pepperoni, perfect for miners and hikers.
Ramps Wild leeks foraged in spring, celebrated with suppers and festivals; strong and earthy.
Apple butter stir-offs A fall tradition of slow-cooking apples in copper kettles, often at community gatherings.
Buckwheat pancakes Hearty, nutty pancakes often served with sorghum molasses at breakfast.
Sorghum molasses Sweet syrup made from sorghum cane, a local sweetener with a long history.

Music and arts

Old-time and bluegrass music Fiddle, banjo, and guitar traditions kept alive at jam sessions and festivals.
Augusta Heritage Center A hub for folk music, dance, and craft workshops at Davis & Elkins College.
Appalachian folk arts Quilting, basket weaving, and woodcarving passed down through generations.
Marlinton Opera House A historic venue hosting concerts, plays, and community arts events.

A little history

1889 Founding of Elkins
1861 Battle of Rich Mountain
1840s Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike construction
1920 Creation of Monongahela National Forest
1957 Green Bank Observatory established

Rivalries

WVU Mountaineers vs. Marshall Thundering Herd College football rivalry that divides the state
Elkins vs. Buckhannon-Upshur Local high school football rivalry
Davis & Elkins vs. Alderson Broaddus Small college sports rivalry

Game day High school football
Game day Skiing at Snowshoe
Outdoors Hike the Seneca Rocks Trail
Outdoors Ride the Cass Scenic Railroad
With kids Ride the Durbin Rocket
With kids Picnic at Beverly's historic town square

The local accent is a classic Appalachian drawl, with a slow, friendly rhythm. You'll hear 'holler' for hollow, 'crick' for creek, and 'fixin' to' for about to.

Only here

The National Radio Quiet Zone, where cell phones and Wi-Fi are restricted to protect radio telescopes.
The Cass Scenic Railroad's geared Shay steam locomotives, which climb steep grades.
The Mountain State Forest Festival, one of West Virginia's oldest and largest festivals, with a Queen Silvia.
Beverly's historic district, one of the state's oldest settlements, with a rich Civil War history.

New here? A few tips

Be ready for winding mountain roads and sudden weather changes—pack layers and check road conditions in winter.
Embrace the National Radio Quiet Zone: cell service is spotty and Wi-Fi is limited near Green Bank, so plan ahead.
Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery—it's the state's iconic snack.
Learn to say 'holler' for hollow and 'crick' for creek—locals will appreciate it.
Fall foliage is spectacular; book lodging early for October weekends.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

BuckhannonWest VirginiaWhere the hills echo with history.ClarksburgWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the sky.Potomac HighlandsWest VirginiaHigh country, deep woods, and friendly towns.Garrett CountyMarylandWhere Maryland meets the mountains.FairmontWest VirginiaWhere the hills hold the warmth of home.MorgantownWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the river and the Mountaineers never quit.HarrisonburgVirginiaThe heart of the Shenandoah Valley StauntonVirginiaA valley of history, apples, and mountain air.

Elkins, WV. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.