Known as the business and cultural hub of Randolph County, Elkins embodies the spirit of the rugged eastern frontier. Its location on the western edge of the Monongahela National Forest makes this charming city a great jumping-off point for adventures in the nearby forest. But if you crave creature comforts at the end of your day, it’s also a great place to return to. A lively downtown offers restaurants and accommodations after a day in the forest. Scenic train rides that depart from the depot downtown provide gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains while giving your feet a rest. The annual Mountain State Forest Festival is a fall tradition in Elkins that celebrates the area’s forests as a natural resource that has enriched the local economy and culture. Timbering and railroads brought industry and people to this growing town in the late 1800s. Now the forests, railroads, and waterways are drawing people to the town for recreation. Elkins is also home to Davis and Elkins College, a small, private liberal arts college, nestled in the downtown. Whether you’re taking an excursion train through the countryside, accessing miles of trout streams, or pedaling on a rail-to-trail path, Elkins makes a great stop on your way to more adventures in the Monongahela National Forest.