8 West Virginia Towns That Locals Love

Much of what we hear about West Virginia is from outsiders. After all, the state's pop culture touchstone and official song was written by a man who, at the time, had never visited West Virginia. Though John Denver knew how to promote the state, locals know it better. Not all of WV approximates heaven, but some towns are close enough to be John Denver-approved. Behold eight West Virginia towns that locals love.

Elkins

Many West Virginia towns are considered backwoods—for good reason. Lots are located, literally, in the back of the woods. Yet deep in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest sits a small city that, though officially backwoods, has a relatively progressive populace. It is called Elkins, and it abounds with students thanks to Davis & Elkins College; artists thanks to the Augusta Heritage Center & Festival; and cosmopolites thanks to international enclaves like El Gran Sabor, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant. Though Elkins has a broader array of commercial attractions than surrounding towns, outdoor activities reign supreme. A love for hiking, biking, fishing, and/or skiing is all but required for residents, as is a tolerance for snow.

Lewisburg

Snowphobes seek solace in Lewisburg, which is greener than Elkins in several ways. Besides staying snowless for much longer, Lewisburg abuts the Greenbrier River, the Greenbrier State Forest, the Greenbrier resort, and is the county seat of Greenbrier County. Locals love Lewisburg for more than just greenery, though. They are charmed by its downtown district, whose colorful haunts include a casual eatery called The Asylum and one of the few genuine Carnegie Halls still in operation. Many walks of life are comfortable in Lewisburg, since it has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene courtesy of Greenbrier Valley Pride. Naturally, it hosts a fantastic annual Pride event.

Marlinton

Marlinton is a town where backwoods pride runs deep, but not too deep to make tourists run away. Instead, Marlinton serves as a gateway for outdoor recreation, especially within the Monongahela National Forest, which can be explored on foot, bike, or horse via the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail. Marlinton also serves up spectacular grub during its annual Autumn Harvest Festival. But there is an authentically Appalachian catch: opossum. Not just opossum, in fact, but squirrel, groundhog, snake, rabbit, deer, bear, snapping turtle, and other animals are often found dead on the highway. Though they need not be roadkill (gravel residue is disqualifying), they are cooked into delectable dishes as part of the festival's West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off. If you hurry, you can catch those unique catches on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Buckhannon

Home to just over 5,000 people in Upshur County, Buckhannon has a sweet spot of a population. One local Redditor described Buckhannon as big enough that you do not know the entire community, but small enough to impact the community if you choose. Speaking of sweet spots that impact the community, locals rave about The Donut Spot for its homemade donuts and legendary pepperoni rolls. Other community paragons include the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, a week-long celebration of regional agriculture held each May, and West Virginia Wesleyan College, a private Methodist college with roughly 1,000 students.

Shepherdstown

It is no coincidence that many top West Virginia towns are college towns. Post-secondary institutions bring an eclectic crowd to these relatively remote communities, fostering a comparatively cosmopolitan culture. Shepherdstown's Shepherd University has over twice as many students as the town has residents. Students and residents mingle and marvel at downtown haunts: old, beautiful buildings housing booming businesses. They range from a handcrafted ice cream parlor called the Rock Hill Creamery to a Mexican-style taco shop called Maria's Taqueria. Perhaps the best mingling, marveling, and munching is done at the Shepherdstown StreetFest, which celebrates "all that is unique, artistic, and welcoming in Shepherdstown." Stay tuned for 2026's date.

Moundsville

Moundsville was named for the Grave Creek Mound, a 60-foot Indigenous burial mound dating to circa 200 BC. Dubbed North America's largest conical earthen mound, it is preserved in town at the Grave Creek Archaeological Complex, which has a museum and archaeological research center. Locals adore that lumpy landmark but have mixed feelings about two others. The first, West Virginia Penitentiary, supplies scares as a defunct dungeon offering paranormal tours. The second, Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, is an infamous hub for Hare Krishnas. But despite centering a controversial commune, the palace is undeniably amazing and hosts numerous family-friendly events. Chief among these is September's Festival Of Colors.

Fayetteville

Though tourists have begun to flood Fayetteville, locals can still find much to love about this Fayette County community. Most notable is the nature, which culminates at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, a 70,000ish-acre oasis next to town. Outdoors-oriented locals enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, and whitewater rafting, the last of which centers on one of the most beloved annual events. Named Gauley Season for the nearby Gauley River, this rafting extravaganza spans six to seven weekends in September and October. Locals seeking respite from the rapids venture to downtown Fayetteville, whose retreats include the Wood Iron Eatery and the Southside Junction Tap House.

Thomas

Thomas is at the crossroads of West Virginia culture. This former coal town in the mountains is undergoing a sort of gentrification. Rising housing prices aside, new money and projects have enriched old buildings and residents. As such, oldtimers and newcomers mix in such places as Blackwater Falls State Park, which offers everything from rugged campsites to luxurious lodgings, and the Purple Fiddle, which serves Appalachian music alongside trendy IPAs. They especially mingle during July's Mountaineer Days, which draw diverse guests from Thomas and Davis, a sister town at the same cultural crossroads.

John Denver cannot tell you everything about West Virginia. Please leave it to locals to explain the rest. When it comes to wonderful WV towns, locals have spoken about the authentic Venezuelan restaurant in Elkins, the Greenbrier resort near Lewisburg, the roadkill cook-off in Marlinton, the iconic pepperoni rolls in Buckhannon, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, the giant earthen mound in Moundsville, Gauley Season near Fayetteville, and the Purple Fiddle in Thomas. Which one will you check out first?