Major city · United States
Marlinton
Give Marlinton 1 night as a Greenbrier River Trail base, or skip it and sleep at Snowshoe or Elkins if you are not riding or fishing.
Marlinton is a town of about 1,050 people on US-219 in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and the seat of a county nicknamed the Birthplace of the Rivers. It is a small base for the Greenbrier River Trail, Watoga and Seneca state forests, and the Cass Scenic Railroad, not a sightseeing town in itself. Most travellers pass through on the way to Snowshoe or Elkins, or stop one night to ride, fish or paddle.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice, some park services closed)
- Airports
- CRW · LWB · ROA
- Nights
- 1
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 Marlinton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pocahontas County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-799-4445
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
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 Marlinton, 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
- SafetyMarlinton is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are mountain roads, deer at dusk, patchy cell coverage and winter ice, not crime.
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 · 304-799-4445 Pocahontas County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- 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.
- AirportCRW Yeager Airport, Charleston (About 2 h 30 min by car via I-79 and US-219; the usual rental-car arrival).
- 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.
- CoffeeUS$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastUS$8–14
- BeerDraught beerUS$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekUS$15–30
- Budget bedState-park or river cabin (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
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
- CRW Yeager Airport, Charleston (About 2 h 30 min by car via I-79 and US-219; the usual rental-car arrival) · LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg (About 1 h 15 min south on US-219; small, few daily flights (check)) · ROA Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (About 2 h 30 min south; useful from the south (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marlinton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
12 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
12 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. US-219 runs north to Elkins and south to Lewisburg; WV-39 and WV-28 branch off for the forests and Cass. There is no useful local bus, and fuel and groceries are limited in town, so fill up before you arrive. The Greenbrier River Trail is a rail-trail for walking, cycling and horses, not a road.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
US-219 north and WV-66 to Cass, about 45 min by car
Steam train up to Bald Knob; the round trip takes about five hours, so go at the first departure.
Door to door: About 45 min
US-219 north then WV-66, about 45 min by car
Ski and bike resort; winter roads need care.
Door to door: About 30 min
US-219 south, about 20–25 min by car
Hiking, swimming and fishing; cabins and campground.
Door to door: About 35 min
WV-28 south of Dunmore, about 30 min by car
Quiet woodland trails and a small lake; cabins and campground.
Door to door: About 45 min
WV-28 and WV-92 north, about 40 min by car
Radio-quiet zone: no phones or Wi-Fi near the telescope; check tour times.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-219 north, about 1 h 15 min by car
Rail and forest gateway; better as a separate stop than a return day.
Door to door: About 50 min
US-219 south, about 50 min by car
Historic downtown, food and the nearest larger airport.
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.
Downtown Marlinton
Walkable to the river trail trailhead and the main street; motels and a few rentals.
Greenbrier River Trail corridor
Cabins and campgrounds along the river south of town; best for riders and paddlers.
Watoga and Seneca state forest cabins
State-park cabins and campgrounds 20–40 min out; quiet, book ahead in season.
Snowshoe area
About 45 min north; resort beds and ski-season prices instead of town motels.
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
- US$70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$120–190 excl. bed
- High
- US$200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Cass Scenic Railroad round trip, per person2 × US$35 · check | US$70 |
| State-park entry and parking, per vehicle1 × US$5 · check | US$5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$51 |
| Trip total≈ US$278 per person per day, bed included | US$556 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | US$8–14 |
| Burger or sandwich plate | US$10–18 |
| Draught beer | US$5–8 |
| Gallon of fuelPrices shown before sales tax. | US$3–4 (check) |
| Motel double room, summer weekend | US$90–180 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | US$15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cell coverage is patchy outside town; download maps and trail info before you drive in.
- Some state-park restaurants and services run spring through October only: check before you rely on them.
- Deer on the road at dusk and dawn, especially on US-219 and WV-28.
- Winter ice and snow on mountain roads; carry chains or drive a suitable vehicle in ski season.
- Small-town businesses keep short hours and some are cash-only: carry cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Pocahontas County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 304-799-4445
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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MarlintonMarlinton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pocahontas County Sheriff (non-emergency)304-799-4445
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Marlinton; consulates are in Washington, DC and New York. US travellers: your own country's embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Marlinton to Snowshoe and back: about 45 min each way; fill up in Marlinton (check)
- Cass Scenic Railroad round trip: about US$20–60 depending on the trip (check)
- State-park entry, per vehicle: about US$5 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is this road open in winter? — Is this road open in winter?
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
- How far to the next gas station? — How far to the next gas station?
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink.
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 Marlinton. 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: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice, some park services closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for CRW, LWB and ROA: last rental-car desk hours, drive times and a motel fallback rung.
- Four sleep clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Marlinton, the river-trail corridor, Watoga and Seneca cabins, and the Snowshoe area.
- Place pages with verified hours for Cass Scenic Railroad, Watoga, Seneca and Green Bank, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Marlinton
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