The base camp of the monongahela national forest, randolph county boasts an abundance of outdoor recreation, arts, history, and vibrant, cultural towns.
EXPLORE
Dust off your hiking shoes or hop on your mountain bike and discover the newly constructed Mower Tract Basin Trails. From there, visit the enchanted forest of Gaudineer Scenic Area. Or head to Bickle Knob Observation Tower for a panoramic vista of the mountainous landscape. For town adventures, step into our past at the Beverly Heritage Center. History buffs will appreciate nearby Rich Mountain Battlefield. For an afternoon in Switzerland, venture to the tiny village of Helvetia. And don’t forget the boutiques and restaurants of Elkins, home to Davis & Elkins College and the July Augusta Heritage Festival for traditional folk arts.
DINE
The restaurant scene here goes well beyond our West Virginia roots. El Gran Sabor offers authentic Venezuelan cachapas, arepas, and fajitas, plus live music. Diners at The Forks delight in the fusion of French and Appalachian–American flavors, plus a beautiful view. The Hütte is known for recipes brought from Switzerland over a century ago, including sauerbraten, beer cheese soup, and rosti. And for barbeque, head to Smoke on the Water. You can even get fresh sea-to-table goodness at W.Va. Seafood and Produce Company.
UNWIND
When it’s time to unwind, travel to Latin America, East Africa, or the Pacific Rim, all from the comfort of TipTop coffee bar. Pair your masterfully roasted coffee with a sweet treat from Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop or Byrd’s House of Donuts. On a summer day, cool down with a tapioca-infused bubble tea or a scoop of ice cream at The Crossing Coffee Bar. Fans of local brews love Big Timber Brewing Company—or take the short drive to Still Hollow Spirits for traditional mountain-style whiskey. Before calling it a night, enjoy live local music at one of our varied venues, including the Branson-style Gandy Dancer Theatre.
STAY
Campgrounds, cabins, hotels and historic inns—the lodging options in Randolph County are as diverse and appealing as our towns and mountains. Sleep in luxury and wake to highland views at The Forks Inn atop Kelly Mountain just outside Elkins. For a retreat from cell service with limited Wi-Fi, book a cabin at the fly-fishing destination Elk River Spring Resort. Imagine friends or family gathered ’round the campfire at Revelle’s River Resort with serene Shavers Fork babbling in the background. And specifically for larger retreats, consider the historic Cheat Mountain Club—Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs stayed here on their Appalachian excursions.
Randolph River REcreation
There is something magical about water, whether it’s a bubbling stream, a rushing river, or a placid lake. Randolph County has miles of waterways and lots of ways to enjoy them.
Few things give more satisfaction than a line whipping through the air and the river gushing as you try to lure in “the big one.” Randolph County is an angler’s paradise, with some of the best fishing in a state known for great fishing. Not to toot our own horn, but the Bowden National Fish Hatchery located just outside Elkins sources a majority of the state’s stock trout. Take in breathtaking views while fishing the different Forks of the Cheat River or at Spruce Knob Lake. You might even see a keen bald eagle waiting in the trees for a chance to catch its own fish.
Meet up with friends at Stuart Recreation Area for a swim, or relax by floating down the Shavers Fork River on a tube or kayak. You can rent and reserve your river gear at Shavers Fork Adventures or Revelle’s River Resort. For the adrenaline-rush addicts, Blackwater Outdoor Adventures just 30 minutes from Elkins provides opportunities to raft the class II–III whitewater on the Narrows of the Cheat River.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SUMMER 2022 ISSUE
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