Elkins Travel Guide

City West Virginia town near Monongahela National Forest

Tucked in the Allegheny foothills, Elkins attracts hikers, whitewater rafters and rail enthusiasts. The nearby Monongahela National Forest supplies trails and fall drives; the town stages music, craft fairs and repurposed depots hosting breweries and bakeries.

Costs

About $80 per day (budget-midrange)

Affordable small-town costs; budget $60-$100 daily for sightseeing.

Safety

Generally safe with low violent crime

Generally safe; normal small-town precautions for property and nightlife apply.

Best Time

May-October (hiking, festivals)

Late spring through early fall is best for hiking and festivals.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

6:20 PM

GMT-4

Weather

63°F

Clear

Population

7,226

Infrastructure & Convenience

Small walkable downtown; car useful for forest access and surrounding roads.

Popularity

Regional draw for outdoor recreation and heritage tourism, not mass-market.

Known For

Appalachian Trail access, Monongahela National Forest, snow sports nearby, historic downtown, railroad heritage, annual festivals, whitewater trips, craft breweries, scenic drives

Elkins hosts the long-running Mountain State Forest Festival, a major West Virginia annual event dating back to 1930.

Why Visit Elkins? #

Framed by the Alleghenies and the Monongahela National Forest, Elkins draws outdoor lovers and history buffs who want rugged scenery and small-town character. The town’s rail-trails and whitewater access invite hiking, biking and trout fishing, while Davis & Elkins College and the historic downtown offer music, festivals and Victorian architecture. Expect Appalachian craft shops, seasonal fairs and an easy launchpad for exploring nearby state parks and scenic byways.

Best Things to Do in Elkins

All Attractions ›

Allegheny Mountains

Rugged Appalachians subrange spanning eastern United States

Mountains

Blackwater Falls State Park

State park famous for amber-hued Blackwater Falls

Park

Monongahela National Forest

West Virginia national forest with mountains and extensive trails

Park

Elkins Bucket List

Don't Miss

Davis & Elkins College Campus - Historic collegiate campus with Gothic Revival architecture and scenic river views.
Elkins Depot & Tygart Valley Railroad Museum - Railroad exhibits highlighting regional logging and rail history in restored depot.
Downtown Elkins - Tree-lined Main Street with independent shops, breweries, and seasonal street events.

Hidden Gems

Fulton Chain Trail segments - Quiet forested paths perfect for short hikes and birdwatching close to town.
Local craft breweries - Small taprooms pouring Appalachian-inspired beers from neighborhood brewers and taprooms.
Local artisan markets - Weekend markets showcasing handmade goods, preserves, and Appalachian culinary specialties.

Day Trips

Dolly Sods Wilderness - High-elevation plateau offering windswept vistas, heathlands, and remote hiking trails.
Seneca Rocks - Iconic vertical crag popular for climbing and panoramic Ridge views nearby.

Best Time to Visit Elkins #

Best late spring through early fall for mild weather and outdoor activities; winters are snowy and great for winter sports. Plan for humid summers and afternoon storms.

Winter

December - February · -8 - 5°C (18 - 41°F)

Cold, snowy, and beautiful - excellent for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling but expect icy roads and occasional deep cold snaps.

Spring

March - May · 2 - 18°C (36 - 64°F)

Variable weather with quick thawing, muddy trails and blooming forests - great for waterfalls, fewer crowds, but bring layers for chilly mornings.

Summer

June - August · 15 - 28°C (59 - 82°F)

Warm, humid, and green - perfect for hiking, rafting, and scenic drives; expect occasional thunderstorms late afternoon and plenty of insects.

Best Time to Visit Elkins #

Climate

Elkins's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1172 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 26 Good

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberJulyJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

36°

Warmest Month

-22°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-2°

Feels Like Freezing

-2°C

Temperature

-8° – 3°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.7h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Freezing

0°C

Temperature

-7° – 6°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

79 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

-2° – 11°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

102 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

2° – 17°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

7° – 22°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

108 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

12° – 26°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

115 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 28°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

121 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.4h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

14° – 27°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

110 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

13.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

10° – 24°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

96 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

4° – 18°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

11.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

-1° – 12°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

88 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.0h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-5° – 6°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

92 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

How to Get to Elkins

Elkins is served locally by the small Elkins-Randolph County Airport (EKN) for general aviation; the nearest commercial airports are Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston and North Central WV Airport (CKB) in Clarksburg. Most visitors reach Elkins by car, regional shuttle or intercity bus.

By Air

Elkins-Randolph County Airport (EKN): This is a small general-aviation airport serving Elkins (no regular commercial airline service). Charter flights and private pilots use EKN; ground transport must be arranged in advance (private car or taxi).

Yeager Airport (CRW), Charleston, WV: The nearest commercial airport with scheduled airline service is Yeager in Charleston - roughly 75-90 miles (about 1.5-2 hours) by road. Travellers typically rent a car or use a private shuttle; a one-way private shuttle or taxi can easily be USD 100-200 depending on provider and number of passengers.

North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), Clarksburg: Another option for commercial flights; Clarksburg is about 45-70 minutes’ drive to Elkins. Rental cars are common here; public connections are limited.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no Amtrak service to Elkins. The nearest Amtrak stations are several hours away; rail is not a practical option for most visitors.

Bus: Intercity bus carriers (including Greyhound and regional providers) serve Elkins; schedules vary and routes commonly connect Elkins with Charleston and other West Virginia towns. Typical one-way fares within the state range from about USD 15-40 depending on distance and carrier; travel times depend on route and stops but expect 1-3 hours to reach larger regional hubs.

How to Get Around Elkins #

Elkins is a compact small city where downtown is easy to walk for restaurants and shops, but the surrounding area is rural so a car is the most convenient way to get around. There is limited local transit and occasional regional bus services; taxi service exists but can be sparse.

If you plan outdoor trips into nearby forests and trails, allow extra time for driving and parking-many attractions are best reached by personal vehicle.

Where to Stay in Elkins #

Budget

Mid-Range

Luxury

Where to Eat in Elkins #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Elkins's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger

Sandwich

Pizza

American

Chicken

Chinese

Italian

Mexican

Seafood

Tex Mex

Ice Cream

Shopping in Elkins #

Shopping options in Elkins are modest: you’ll find grocery stores, hardware shops and a handful of independent retailers and antique stores in town. For large malls or big-box shopping, travel to larger regional centers.