RIO TURTLE

The 'Rio Turtle' or 'Turtle Rock' is a turtle-shaped rock located in the North River along Augusta-Ford Hill Road (CR 53), 2.5 mi. 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.
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. Since September 11, 2001 and the 2003 Iraq War, the Rio Turtle's shell has taken a more patriotic motif including American flags, crosses, and peace signs.