Elkins, WV

Set in the rolling Allegheny Mountains along the Tygart Valley River, Elkins is a friendly mountain town and the bustling seat of Randolph County. With around 7,000 residents, it combines the warmth of a close-knit community with the creative energy brought by Davis & Elkins College. Downtown is full of character, featuring local cafes, breweries, brick storefronts, and a historic depot that sends scenic passenger trains into the surrounding highlands. It is the kind of place where people stop to chat on the sidewalk and community gatherings feel like family reunions.

ATTRGeneric1139 / CC BY-SA 3.0

If you love spending time outdoors, having the Monongahela National Forest right at your doorstep is hard to beat. Weekends here often revolve around hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or heading out to nearby ski resorts like Canaan Valley and Snowshoe. Elkins also takes immense pride in its heritage, drawing visitors and locals alike for the weekslong Augusta music workshops in the summer and the Mountain State Forest Festival in the fall. It is an appealing landing spot for anyone who wants authentic mountain living without sacrificing good amenities and a strong local culture.