Rio, West Virginia: Rio Rock Turtle

A boulder, washed into the North River during the flood of 1985, has since been painted like a turtle.

Address:: Ford Hill Rd, Rio, WV
Directions:: From US-50 near Augusta drive south on WV-29. When you get to the stop sign turn right onto WV-53/Ford Hill Rd. Drive two miles. Near the Hampshire/Hardy County line there's a small gravel pull off on the right. The turtle can be seen from road. If you get to Rio, turn back.

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Rio Rock Turtle.

Turtle Rock

Since a North River flood in 1985, Turtle Rock has been a local attraction. Now she is a newly painted and updated hippie turtle. "Matilda" is brightly colored and a provides a happy spot for passers by. When the water is low, take a picture with her. Her smiling face points towards the mountain, not the road.

[Sharon Brinkman Saville, 09/15/2020]

Rock turtle.

Rio Rock Turtle

The Rio Turtle is the creation of local residents of Rio, WV (pronounced Rye-oh). The creature is made from a single large river rock that washed into the river during the flood of 1985 that devastated the region and a large part of West Virginia.

Now decorated in green and yellow, looking much like a large green/yellow turtle, the Rio Turtle has gone through as many changes as a chameleon. Most notably, it took on a patriotic flag and yellow ribbon motif after Sept. 11, 2001.

The Rio Turtle can be found alongside the highway near Rio, WV, directly across the Hampshire/Hardy County line. Directions can be received from any local resident, since everyone knows about the Rio Turtle.

[Jason, 06/09/2008]