Randolph County: Mountain Landscapes, Culture and Trails
Accommodation in Randolph County
Randolph County combines the mountain world of the Allegheny Mountains with historic sites, varied trails and a vibrant musical tradition. Those looking for a vacation rental or holiday home can therefore plan their trip around very different interests: viewpoints and river landscapes, Civil War history and museums, or music events in Elkins and the surrounding area.
Mountain Landscapes and Trails for Active Days
One distinctive natural area is Kumbrabow State Forest. It covers 9,474 acres on Rich Mountain at elevations of more than 3,000 feet above sea level. Scenic hiking trails lead to viewpoints over the surrounding mountain country. Mill Creek, a stream with native brook trout, also runs through the forest.
Several different routes are available for longer outings. The Allegheny Highlands Trail runs 24.5 miles from the Elkins Depot Welcome Center toward Parsons and offers panoramic views of the West Virginia landscape. The West Fork Rail Trail is 22 miles long, follows the West Fork River for most of its route through a remote mountain landscape, and is suitable for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. Even more extensive is the 330-mile Allegheny Trail, which offers opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping and fishing. In winter, the Allegheny Highlands Trail is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Water landscapes also shape the range of options. The Dry Fork of the Cheat River rises in Randolph County between Rich Mountain and Little Middle Mountain. It is known for smallmouth bass fishing as well as brook trout, brook charr and rainbow trout. At the Stuart Recreation Area, a 2-mile loop trail is available for mountain biking and hiking; wildlife and birds can be observed along the way. The Shavers Fork offers river swimming and catch-and-release trout fishing there.
History, Museums and Music
Randolph County is equally well suited to trips with a historical focus. The Beverly Heritage Center brings together four carefully restored historic buildings. Its permanent exhibitions cover early settlement and transportation, the “Courthouse War,” as well as the Civil War in West Virginia and the Battle of Rich Mountain. The center also serves as an interpretive center for Rich Mountain Battlefield and presents the exhibition “The 1st Campaign of the Civil War.” At Hart Farm on the battlefield, historic markers and information signs explain the history; this includes a 0.5-mile walking trail. The memorial site also includes Confederate Camp Garnett and a connecting section of the old Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.
In Beverly, the Randolph County Museum is located in the Blackman-Bosworth Store, a building dating from 1828. The Blackman-Bosworth building was constructed in 1827–28 and was among the first commercial brick buildings west of the Allegheny Mountains. Objects on display include tools from the early settlement period, Civil War artifacts and personal belongings of early residents. In Elkins, the Downtown Elkins Historic District, with 65 contributing buildings, tells the story of the historic central business district.
The cultural side also includes the Augusta Heritage Center, with topics related to traditional music, folklore and folk art, as well as intensive week-long workshops. In Elkins, Pickin’ in the Park takes place as a weekly acoustic jam featuring bluegrass and old-time music. The Gandy Dancer Theatre & Conference Center presents Branson-style dinner shows; the two-hour Premier Show combines music from the 1950s to the present with a served meal. The historic Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad station in downtown Elkins adds a special destination for railroad and landscape experiences to the trip.
Which Location Suits Your Trip?
When searching for a vacation rental in Randolph County, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your vacation days. For hiking, cycling and observing nature, the trails and river areas mentioned above play a different role than museums, historic sites or music events. If you would like to combine different interests, you can compare the planned destinations before booking and then choose the location of your accommodation accordingly. The destination pages for Beverly, Elkins, Huttonsville and Dryfork can help with this further orientation.
This leaves Randolph County open to different travel paces: a day with mountain panoramas and long trails, a visit to historical exhibitions, a tour along the river or an evening with regionally rooted music.
For the overarching travel overview: West Virginia.
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