Hatfield-McCoy Trails

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails are not one park but a family of separate trail systems spread across the coalfield mountains of southern West Virginia, run by the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority. Each system has its own trailhead, and the authority says the distance between systems can be serious. Most are open to dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs, with trails rated from easiest to most difficult. Terrain is steep, rocky, wooded, and cut by creek crossings, and every system is said to have some rugged black-rated trail alongside easier riding.

Two clusters of systems connect to each other. Rockhouse, Devil Anse, Braveheart, and Buffalo Mountain link into more than 300 miles, and Pinnacle Creek, Warrior, Indian Ridge, and Pocahontas link into more than 400 miles. Rockhouse is the largest single system and is known for extreme terrain. Buffalo Mountain has the most singletrack and is the favorite of many dirt bike riders. Tornado Single Trax, near Charleston, is a roughly 35-mile system that is singletrack only and open to dirt bikes and e-bikes. Bearwallow, Cabwaylingo, and Ivy Branch also admit full-size off-road vehicles such as Jeeps, so expect more four-wheeled traffic there.

Getting there

The main gateway used for this listing is the Rockhouse trailhead in Man, Logan County, which has a large parking lot, staffed trailhead, restrooms, and permit sales. Other trailheads include Devil Anse in Matewan, Pinnacle Creek in Pineville, Warrior in War, Pocahontas in Coaldale near Bramwell, Big Coal River in Peytona (Boone County), Tornado in Kanawha County, Ivy Branch near Charleston, and Cabwaylingo in a state forest near where Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and Mingo counties meet. Several systems have community connectors that let you ride into towns for fuel, food, and lodging, including Man, Gilbert, Matewan, Delbarton, Williamson, Mullens, and Pineville.

Fees, permits, and rules

Every rider and passenger needs a Hatfield-McCoy Trails permit. The 2026 price is $26.50 for West Virginia residents and $65 for non-residents, valid from purchase through December 31 of that year. Buy online (allow 10 to 14 days for mailing), at any trailhead facility, at the welcome centers, or from one of more than 180 authorized vendors.

• A DOT or Snell approved helmet and eye protection are required.
• Machines need a working muffler and a USFS-approved spark arrestor.
• Nobody under 6 may ride, and riders under 16 must stay in sight of a parent or guardian.
• Stay on marked trails; no alcohol, glass containers, fires, or camping on the trails.
• Speed, endurance, or climbing competitions need a special use permit.

Camping is not offered on the trail systems; riders stay at nearby campgrounds, cabins, and lodges.

When to ride

The trails are open daily during daylight hours. RiderPlanet lists them as open year-round, while the official site does not state a season, so check the authority's site for closures and trail conditions before you go. Permits sold at the start of a year run out on December 31.