Escape the Upstate with an ATV adventure in West Virginia
If you’re the type who enjoys getting your hands and feet (and everything else) dirty, Mercer County, West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy Trails system is worth a visit.
Snaking along for about 1,000 miles through some of the Mountain State’s most scenic country, the family-friendly all-terrain vehicle (ATV) network is both manageable and beautiful, says Jamie Null, executive director of Visit Mercer County.
“The Hatfield-McCoy system offers a good mix of ‘greens’ and ‘blues’ (trails considered either easy or medium in difficulty). It’s really perfect for families and groups of all levels.”
No ATV in your garage, or don’t feel like bringing yours along? No problem. A bevy of authorized retailers are on-hand with two-, four- and even six-seat ATV units for rent and, in some cases, will deliver them right to the trailhead for you.
ATV Trails
Ten trails span several counties on lands once belonging to the Pocahontas Mining Company, and Null says the network—maintained by the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority—is in perpetual growth mode.
“A lot of ATV riders treat the Hatfield-McCoy system like a bucket list,” she says. “But, of course, it takes several trips.”
There are no campsites along the trails, she notes, but there are plenty of accommodations. “All trails have connecting towns, allowing groups or families to go from town to town, resort to resort.”
In other words, “Once you unhook your trailer, you don’t have to hook back up. You can ride from town to town.”
And for those looking to connect with nature, Null says the unmatched beauty of the Appalachian Mountains will satisfy even the most avid sightseer.
“The forest cover is beautiful year-round, but especially so in spring and summer, and the flora and fauna are fantastic,” she says. “It’s magical, just an entirely different feel and experience when you’re riding an ATV through the Appalachians.”
There’s also the mud, which is plentiful. “What ATV rider doesn’t love mud?” she laughs. “It’s an excuse for adults to get dirty. Mud is good; mud is friendly. You hit the gas and roll right on through.”
If you’re looking to plan an adventure closer to home, the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail has no shortage of outdoor recreation options.
