Elkton is situated between two recreational landmarks in Virginia
Elkton lies in the Shenandoah River Valley of northwestern Virginia. Bookended by the Massanutten Ridge to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east, the community consists of a town center quadrisected by Routes 33 and 340, the latter of which partially parallels the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. “That section of the river is the breadbasket of the valley,” says Greg Pfaff, a Realtor and associate broker with Kline May Realty. “Elkton is a bedroom community of Harrisonburg. It’s very much an old, small town. The main thing there is it’s right off Route 33, which butts up against Skyline Drive; plus, you can see Massanutten Peak from there.”
Route 33 provides a pathway west into Harrisonburg or eastward to Charlottesville and Richmond, while Skyline Drive traces the horizon along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah. “There is definitely a lot to do, like hiking and mountain biking,” says Oleksii Humaniuk, an associate agent with Re/Max Performance. “A mountain biker told me that our area, with Shenandoah and the George Washington National Forest, is one of the best places to go for mountain biking in the whole U.S. There is a lot of outdoorsy stuff to do.” The views around Elkton – plus the access to a plethora of parks – are a magnet for potential residents.
Elkton offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities
Shenandoah NationOutdoor recreation takes center stage – not to mention a variety of different forms – in Elkton and the surrounding areas. Shenandoah National Park is a popular recreational site for Elkton residents, as well as visitors from outside the area. “Shenandoah National Park pulls millions of people a year,” Pfaff says. “There are a lot of trails. Massanutten alone has all these different trails for mountain biking. A lot of people go rafting, canoeing and fishing in the river.” Massanutten Resort serves as a primary recreational destination, covering around 6,000 acres. Activities range from outdoor hiking, fishing and biking to established athletic facilities for golf and tennis. During the winter months, Massanutten provides 83 skiable acres that are accessible via one of the seven lifts that go up the mountain; when the snow melts, both the Peak Express Lift and the Creekside Lift shuttle passengers up the mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
The South Fork of the Shenandoah River winds through Elkton, providing anglers with some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the East Coast. The river is also home to abundant populations of largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and other species. Stonewall Memorial Park is in central Elkton and has a playground, dog park and fields open to Elkton Little League games. The wilderness of Shenandoah National Park covers more than 300 square miles to the east, and visitors can hike trails, camp out and swim in certain areas. Overlooks dot Skyline Drive along the ridge, and summits like Furnace Mountain are on the fringes of Elkton. Area trails include Rockytop and Big Run Loop, which extend for over 13 combined miles. The Doyles River Falls Trailhead takes hikers to several waterfalls in Shenandoah. Old Rag Mountain is also within the park, rising to over 3,200 feet. Stonewall Memorial Park is in central Elkton and has a playground, dog park and fields open to Elkton Little League games.
Luray Caverns, located about 25 miles north, is a popular spot for spelunking. The largest cavern in the eastern United States, Luray Caverns covers 64 underground acres and dives down as far as 260 feet below the earth’s surface. Visitors to the caverns are rewarded with a collection of stalactites and stalagmites that is virtually unmatched. Both guided and self-guided tours are available, and the cavern is open 365 days a year.
History buffs can walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers who fought the Battle of Cross Keys in 1862 as part of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign. The battlefield is about 16 miles west of Elkton, where visitors can take a self-guided tour of the area that includes informative signage detailing the events of that memorable day.
Homes situated amidst the rolling landscape of the Shenandoah Valley
Homes in Elkton represent a wide range of architectural styles, owning in part to the fact that they represent an equally wide range of ages. Homes dating to the 1800s or early 1900s often take the form of large farmhouses, while more recent builds run the gamut from low-slung ranch-styles to sleek modern houses. “Some brick ranch-style homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and then there are older, larger homes. Over the last 20 to 30 years, they have been building modern, contemporary homes with amenities,” says Plaff. Overall, prices typically fall between $250,000 and $400,000, though larger farmhouses can cost over $500,000.
Those comparatively competitive home prices have led to this once-secret little town garnering a reputation as a favored place to put down roots for homebuyers looking for a place that’s a little out-of-the-way but still convenient to bigger cities. “Elkton is becoming a popular spot for new construction,” Humaniuk says. “It is attracting a lot of first-time homebuyers and people that are willing to make the drive to Harrisonburg. Elkton is up-and-coming and a great area for future investments. It’s a great area to get a home, because the prices are only going to go up.” Other properties in development include townhouses and condos. Flood insurance may be part of housing in the area, as Elkton is partially in the flood plain.
Many locals work at Merck Pharmaceuticals or Molson Coors
Two major employers of the area have major presences south of Elkton’s town center. About 3 miles down Route 340, Merck has a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that, according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, employs more than 1,000 Virginians. Molson Coors’ Shenandoah Brewery is less than 4 miles further south, also serving as a major employer. The brewery spans almost 2,000 acres of land and, according to its website, has over 500 employees. “Coors has one of the most technological breweries in the western hemisphere there,” Pfaff says. “You’ve got those two places within several miles of Elkton that employ a lot of people, and those people have a great place to live. It is also about 20 minutes from Harrisonburg, which is your main working area.”
Schools in close proximity to Elkton’s town center
Rockingham County Public Schools serves the community. Elkton Elementary School and Elkton Middle School are both located in central Elkton and each receive a B-minus from Niche. East Rockingham High School is about 3 miles west and scores a B-plus. East Rockingham High received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Virginia Department of Education in 2017 for its academic prowess.
Restaurants close to central Elkton
The town center of Elkton is in the middle of the community, with Routes 33 and 340 intersecting within. Many restaurants are concentrated around the interchange, and the area has gradually seen more locally-owned establishments begin to open. “When I first moved here 30 years ago, if you weren’t a chain, you weren’t open,” Pfaff says. “Elkton has breweries, a place for hamburgers and a couple of restaurants like that.” Old 33 Beer & Burger Grill, Inc. offers burgers alongside cocktails and pretzels. BrewHaha Brewing Company crafts its own beers, while Brix & Column Vineyards specializes in wine. Residents can also order pizza at Elkton Goodfellas or dishes at El Paso Mexican Grille. A Food Lion just west down Route 33 fulfills most grocery needs, and the nearby Valley Pantry & Deli has locally-grown produce.
Traversing western Virginia on Route 33
United States Route 33 passes through Elkton on its way to Richmond, also linking the community with Harrisonburg about 20 miles west and Shenandoah National Park less than 10 miles east of the town center. “It’s very convenient,” Pfaff says. “One step, you’re at Massanutten, and another step and you’re over the mountain and into Piedmont and Charlottesville. The location is good for travel and other things to do.” Charlottesville is about 40 miles southeast by way of 33 and Route 29, while Richmond is about 100 miles east. Rockingham Memorial Hospital is located around 15 miles west in Harrisonburg.
A resort atmosphere at Massanutten just west of Elkton
Massanutten’s annual ValleyFest brings several thousand attendees to the area for drinks, food vendors and live music. The family-friendly event takes place outdoors, and attendees bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to spread out on the grass and enjoy the festival. Proceeds benefit various causes supported by the Rotary Clubs of both Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
