Overview
Marlinton is a town of 960 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County. Pocahontas County is known locally as the "Birthplace of the Rivers" because the Greenbrier, Cherry, Elk, Cheat, Gauley, Tygart, Williams and Cranberry rivers all originate from the area.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Marlinton
Watoga State Park
US-219 south of Mill Point. 10,100 acres of hiking, swimming, fishing and boating. Cabins and campground available, restaurant open spring through October.
Seneca State Forest
WV-28 south of Dunmore. 11,684 acres of woodland, 5 trails and a 4-acre lake for hiking, biking, hunting and fishing. Cabins and campground available.
Cass Scenic Railroad
State road 28. It's in the town of Cass, about 45 minutes northeast on US-219 and WV-66. The original steam-driven locomotives drive the same lines that were used in 1901 to bring lumber to the town. Restored company bui…
Elk River Touring Center
A 150-acre former mountain homestead with an inn and restaurant. World-class fly fishing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Downhill skiing on trails around Highland Scenic Highway 150 (elevation 4,700 feet) and …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 30 mi away. Directions
- ROA Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport, Roanoke — 62 mi away. Directions
- GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 147 mi away (major hub). Directions
Marlinton is on US-219, which runs between Elkins and Lewisburg.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Watoga State Park, Seneca State Forest
- Lunch Bull and Bear Restaurant
- Afternoon Cass Scenic Railroad, Elk River Touring Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Marlinton is on US-219, which runs between Elkins and Lewisburg.
See
Do
Do Cass Scenic Railroad
State road 28. It's in the town of Cass, about 45 minutes northeast on US-219 and WV-66. The original steam-driven locomotives drive the same lines that were used in 1901 to bring lumber to the town. Restored company buildings and a logging camp recreation are available. Visitors can take a five-hour trip on the railroad from Cass to Bald Knob, the second-highest point in West Virginia. Dinner trains and murder-mystery trains also available. Cottages, cabooses and a wilderness cabin on Bald Knob available for rental. Trips cost $13 (to Whittaker Station), $16 (to Spruce) and $18 (to Bald Knob).
Do Elk River Touring Center
A 150-acre former mountain homestead with an inn and restaurant. World-class fly fishing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Downhill skiing on trails around Highland Scenic Highway 150 (elevation 4,700 feet) and Snowshoe Mountain (4,848 feet). Skiing and snowboarding $16 - $30.
- Roadkill Cook-off, +1-800-336-7009. Part of the Autumn Harvest Festival, held annually in late September. Cooking begins at 11AM, judging at 3PM. A culinary competition in which chefs prepare dishes made from animals that are commonly found on the side of the road: turkey, opossum, squirrel, rabbit, groundhog, bear, deer, boar, elk, moose, rattlesnake, frog and turtle. Dishes are usually given unappetizing names, such as "Turkey Gobble Vomit over Maggots", "Squirrel Scrotum Stew" or "Blood, Rocks and Guts over Snails and Maggots". The cook-off started in 1991 as a joke, in a bid to increase tourism to the area, and although it has drawn criticism for playing on a negative stereotype of Appalachians, the contest attracts cooks from all over. Visitors can sample the results. There's also arts and crafts, an agricultural and homemaking show, mountain music and dancing, and regular food concessions.
Eat
Eat Bull and Bear Restaurant
No debit or credit cards. No tipping, also. Eat in or take out.
Sleep
Stay Mountain Valley Retreat
http://www.mtnvalleyretreat.com Two lovely cabin rental options - four bedroom cabin sleeps up to 6 people comfortably or one bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 comfortably. 30 minutes from Snowshoe Ski Resort. Secluded location great for relaxing and getting away from it all. It's minutes from Williams River, Lake Handley and Scenic Highway 150. 15 minutes away from Greenbrier River and trail. Other area attractions include Ruth Buck's Birthplace, Beartown State Park, Watoga State Park, Seneca State Park, Droop Mountain State Park, Scenic Cass Railroad, NRAO location in Green Bank.
Go next
Nearby
Hillsboro
City / town · 1 listings · 9 mi away
Snowshoe
City / town · 68 listings · 14 mi away
Warm Springs
City / town · 4 listings · 22 mi away
Richwood
City / town · 12 listings · 24 mi away
White Sulphur Springs
City / town · 135 listings · 32 mi away
Helvetia
City / town · 11 listings · 34 mi away
Lewisburg
City / town · 50 listings · 35 mi away
Summersville
City / town · 15 listings · 41 mi away
My experience
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