Rio Turtle

The Rio Turtle's backside, August 2005.

The Rio Turtle or Turtle Rock is a turtle-shaped rock located in the North River along Augusta-Ford Hill Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 53) approximately 2.5 miles west of the community of Rio. While this stretch of the North River forms the border between Hampshire and Hardy Counties, the Rio Turtle is located on the Hampshire side.

The Rio Turtle, early Autumn 2006.

Over the past few decades, the rock has been continually maintained and repainted by both local professional artists and graffiti artists and has become a popular tourist attraction and picnic rock in the North River Valley. After the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Rio Turtle's shell took a more patriotic and politically charged motif, including American flags, Christian crosses, and peace symbols. As of early Autumn 2006, the rock has been repainted and restored to its original tortoiseshell motif.

A Young Adventurer Conquering The Turtle, July 2008.

Save a Horse, Ride a Turtle, July 2008.

External links

Media related to Rio Turtle at Wikimedia Commons

The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia

Regions	Potomac Highlands

Counties	Berkeley Grant Hampshire Hardy Jefferson Mineral Morgan Pendleton

Communities	Bayard Berkeley Springs Bolivar Capon Bridge Carpendale Charles Town Elk Garden Franklin Harpers Ferry Hedgesville Keyser Martinsburg Moorefield Paw Paw Petersburg Piedmont Ridgeley Romney Shepherdstown Wardensville

Attractions and natural features	Appalachian National Scenic Trail Berkeley Springs State Park Cacapon Resort State Park Cacapon River Capon Springs & Farms Resort Champe Rocks Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Fort Ashby Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches George Washington National Forest Germany Valley Hanging Rocks Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races Ice Mountain Preserve Indian Mound Cemetery Jennings Randolph Lake Lost River Lost River State Park Monongahela National Forest Mount Storm Lake Northwestern Turnpike Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad Potomac River Potomac State College Seneca Caverns Seneca Rocks Shenandoah River Shepherdstown Historic District Shepherd University Sleepy Creek Lake Smoke Hole Caverns South Branch Potomac River Spruce Knob Summit Point Motorsports Park The Trough Trout Pond Tuscarora Trail Washington Heritage Trail

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