As the leaves fall and the temperatures begin to drop, Randolph County, West Virginia offers a comfortable escape for sweater season, with seasonal festivities for the whole family and outdoor adventure opportunities for the daring throughout fall and winter.
Farm and Fork
Embrace autumn’s traditional harvest time by taking the family to one of our local farms like the Charm Farm to enjoy seasonal treats and bring home your own pumpkin. Snyder Farms even has tractor rides and a corn maze. Our local cafes and eateries come alive with fall flavors. Find pumpkin flavored drinks at The Crossing Coffee Bar, and even pumpkin-spiced beer at Big Timber Brewing, plus fall produce on seasonal menus at Smoke on the Water, Oxley House Cocktail Bar & Restaurant, or The Forks. Enjoy live music with your meal at El Gran Sabor or Beander’s.
Take a Trek, Ride, or Float
Hiking, biking, driving, by rail or by water – there are a variety of trails to travel to take in our magnificent fall foliage. See our scenic vistas and spectacular fall colors with a backroads drive to Bickle Knob Observation Tower, or ride the rails aboard the New Tygart Flyer excursion train to the picturesque High Falls of Cheat. A drive on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike National Scenic Byway or the Seneca Skyway loop will take you through small but historic communities like Beverly, where you can hear spooky local tales at the annual Lantern Tours at the Beverly Heritage Center.
Elkins is home to the headquarters of the Monongahela National Forest which features nearly a million acres of land open for biking, fishing, camping, hunting, foraging, and more. Many of the Mon Forest’s top destinations are accessible year-round and located in Randolph County. Camp, hike, or fish in Otter Creek Wilderness or near West Virginia’s highest peak at Spruce Knob Lake and Campground. Try some of the state’s best mountain biking at the Mower Basin Trails. The Mon Forest is home to many large trails systems that you can mix and match for an easy day hike, trail run, or a longer backpacking trip.
Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is perfect for paddling or floating, and the Tygart Valley River is accessible right from the city of Elkins. Trout fishing is available year-round thanks to our pristine high elevation streams and our state’s frequent stocking programs. Most of our rivers and streams are stocked in later winter and early spring, and some like the Shavers Fork and Elk River are stocked frequently in the fall as well. Local catches are served up seasonally at Ellie May’s Restaurant or Alpine Lodge and Restaurant.
Winter is the perfect time for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the Allegheny Highlands Trail. This 26-mile rail trail runs from Elkins into neighboring Tucker County. Warm up in downtown Elkins with a fresh hot chocolate at any one of our cafes like TipTop, or with a local beer from our microbreweries like Fox Hops. From Randolph County, you’re just an hour’s drive from some of the top downhill skiing destinations in the state.
Festive Days and Cozy Stays
Tired of the cold? Celebrate the end of winter during the one-of-a-kind Fasnacht festival in Helvetia. This unique Swiss-Appalachian tradition is known for its amusing and intricate handmade masks, parade by lantern light, square dance, and the ceremonial burning of “Old Man Winter”. Stop by anytime of the year to find locally made crafts and cheese at Swiss Roots, or take a short drive to Pickens to sample local wines at Heavenly Heritage Winery.
Enjoy modern amenities tucked away in a secluded spot with a variety of rental options from Czar Haus or The Trails at Files Creek. Delve into local history as you relax in any of our historic homes available to rent like Laura Jackson Arnold House or Laurel River Club B&B, or C.C.C. era cabins at Kumbrabow State Forest or Middle Mountain Cabins. If you don’t want to be far from the excitement of downtown Elkins there are familiar hotel options and the charming boutique Tygart Hotel. Wherever you choose, you can be sure to find a cozy place to enjoy the views while staying indoors or escape for easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Plan your adventure at elkinsrandolphwv.com
