Major city · United States
Franklin, West Virginia
Half a day for the fossil sites and a walk through town; no need to stay overnight unless you're using it as a base for the Germany Valley or Snowshoe.
Franklin is a small town in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, known for its Devonian and Silurian fossil sites along US 33 and US 220. Most visitors come for a few hours of fossil collecting or as a pit stop between Elkins and Harrisonburg. The town itself has a handful of shops and diners, but the main draw is the surrounding geology.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some roads icy), Jul–Aug (humid, bugs)
- Airports
- SHD · CRW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Franklin, West Virginia911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pendleton County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-358-2214
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Franklin, West Virginia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyFranklin is a low-crime rural town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 304-358-2214 Pendleton County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSHD Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive; limited flights via United/Delta).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a diner$2–3
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$12–20
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–12
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SHD Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive; limited flights via United/Delta) · CRW Yeager Airport (Charleston) (About 2 h 15 min drive; more connections)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Oct (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Franklin, West Virginia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The fossil sites are along US 33 and US 220, 8–12 miles from town. Parking is on the shoulder. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Germany Valley Overlook
goDoor to door: 20 min drive
US 33 west about 12 miles
Scenic overlook; fossil site half a mile east.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
goDoor to door: 1 h
US 33 west then south on WV 66, about 45 min
Skiing in winter, mountain biking and hiking in summer.
Elkins
goDoor to door: 45 min
US 33 west, about 40 min
Larger town with dining, shops and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
Moorefield
goDoor to door: 30 min
US 220 north, about 25 min
South Branch of the Potomac River for fishing and kayaking.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Franklin town centre
A few motels and B&Bs; walk to the main street.
US 33 corridor west of town
Closer to the Germany Valley Overlook and fossil sites; more quiet.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Gas for a day of driving (about 50 miles)1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Fossil collecting permit (none needed on public road cuts)2 × US$0 | US$0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$34 |
| Trip total≈ US$185 per person per day, bed included | US$369 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a diner | $2–3 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–12 |
| Dinner entrée | $12–20 |
| Motel room per night | $80–180 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fossil collecting is legal on road cuts but check land ownership; stay on public right-of-way.
- Road cuts can be dangerous: wear a hard hat and watch for traffic.
- No fuel stations after 21:00 in town; fill up in Elkins or Harrisonburg.No fuel stations after 9:00 PM in town; fill up in Elkins or Harrisonburg.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Pendleton County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 304-358-2214
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Franklin, West VirginiaFranklin, West Virginia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pendleton County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-358-2214
Embassy
No consulate in Franklin; nearest US State Dept. services in Washington, DC. Embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SHD airport → Franklin (taxi/rideshare): about $80–120, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Franklin → Germany Valley Overlook: 20 min drive, free
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- Where can I find fossils? — Where can I find fossils? (where can I find fossils)
- Is this road open in winter? — Is this road open in winter? (is this road open in winter)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Franklin, West Virginia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some roads icy), Jul–Aug (humid, bugs) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each fossil site with GPS coordinates and parking details.
- Eat pages for the diners in town (check hours).
- Seasonal road condition alerts for US 33 in winter.
Sources
Ask about Franklin, West Virginia
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