Getting Oriented
The Hatfield-McCoy Trails spread across Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in southern West Virginia. The Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority, created by the state legislature in 1996, operates the system; it opened in October 2000 with three systems and 300 miles, and has grown to 13 systems and 1,000-plus miles today.
Trail Overview
Rockhouse, Bearwallow, Buffalo Mountain, Devil Anse, Pinnacle Creek, Indian Ridge, Warrior, Pocahontas, Tornado, Cabwaylingo, Ivy Branch, Braveheart, and Big Coal River make up the 13 current systems. Difficulty is color-coded: easiest (green), more difficult (blue), most difficult (black), and most difficult/extreme (black/red, where ORVs need a roll cage). Rockhouse is the largest single system at over 100 miles; Tornado is the network's only single-track system, built for dirt bikes. Full-size 4x4 access is the exception, not the rule: it's limited to Bearwallow, Cabwaylingo, and Ivy Branch.
Points of Interest
- Rockhouse, the original and largest system, connects directly into the towns of Man and Gilbert.
- Devil Anse's trailhead sits in Matewan, ground zero for the historic Hatfield-McCoy feud and the 1920 Matewan Massacre.
- Pocahontas is billed as having the most continuous miles of connected trail east of the Mississippi.
Where to Camp
The official site doesn't run its own campgrounds; riders typically base out of one of the trail-connected towns or a private campground near a given system's trailhead.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Confirm your vehicle is actually allowed on the system you're planning to ride. Full-size 4x4s are boxed out of most of the network.
- Buy your permit before you arrive: $26.50 resident, $65 non-resident, good through December 31.
- Trailhead offices and permit vendors keep their own hours, which vary by location. Call ahead rather than assuming a set schedule.
- Ride the town connection deliberately. Man, Gilbert, Matewan, War, and Gary all have direct trail access with fuel, food, and lodging.
Fuel and Water
The system's signature feature is riding straight into town for services: Man, Gilbert, Matewan, War, and Gary all have direct trail access with fuel and food. Elsewhere, fuel up before leaving pavement.
Nearby
Matewan's Hatfield-McCoy feud history and the Tug Fork river valley are worth the stop beyond the trails. Welch and Bramwell are near, though not directly on, the Pocahontas system's trailhead.
