2011 Hatfield McCoy Trail Permits go on sell to the public the last part of November. If you really want to get your money's worth, plan a late November or December trip and buy the new 2011 permit. This permit will be good until December 31, 2011. Over 13 months of riding for fifty dollars--now that is what we call a good deal.

Take advantage of the 2011 permits. Start planning a winter trip today!

Lisa and Marty

[Charlotte is about 4 1/2 hours from Gilbert which is where the Rockhouse Trail is. Gilbert is the most ATV friendly place on the whole trail system. Try www.browningforktrailhouse.com for a quality lodging at an affordable price!]

How long of a drive is that about. I'm leaving from the Charlotte area. Also wheres the best place to stay I want to be able to ride on the road when i get to the trails and I like scenic trails. Any good trails close to charlotte as well? I'm hoping its a good trip

Charlotte is about 4 1/2 hours from Gilbert which is where the Rockhouse Trail is.  Gilbert is the most ATV friendly place on the whole trail system.  Try www.browningforktrailhouse.com for a quality lodging at an affordable price!

Do you want to plan a trip, but don't know where to go?

The Hatfield McCoy Trails is an excellent place for clubs, families, and friends. The trails are some of the best in the eastern US. Dirt bike riders and ATV riders love the 500+ miles of trails. The rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mtns. makes riding adventerous for anyone. The southern hospitality of the towns and businesses will amaze you.

Give it some thought and get started.

The trails are waiting!!

Do you want to plan a trip, but don't know where to go?

The Hatfield McCoy Trails is an excellent place for clubs, families, and friends. The trails are some of the best in the eastern US. Dirt bike riders and ATV riders love the 500+ miles of trails. The rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mtns. makes riding adventerous for anyone. The southern hospitality of the towns and businesses will amaze you.

Give it some thought and get started.

The trails are waiting!!

Lisa & Marty,  
Where is a good hotel in the area and safe for the atv's overnight.  

Check out www.browningforktrailhouse.com.   It is the first lodging establishment for the Hatfield McCoy Trails.


Lisa and Marty
<a href="http://www.browningforktrailhouse.com" target="_blank">Browning Fork Trailhouse</a>
304 784-7433
lbucha8150@aol.com</b>www.browningforktrailhouse.com

If anyone needs help planning a trip or if you have questions in general about the Hatfield McCoy Trails, just let us know.   We live in the heart of the Hatfield McCoy Trails in Gilbert.   Gilbert is the most ATV friendly place that you will ever visit. 

Lisa & Marty

304 784-RIDE (7433)

I'd like to come up this spring but I'm confused as to what trails we would enjoy and where to stay. Would be my uncle, 12 y/o daughter and myself. All riding 4 wheelers. Is there a package type deal or do you just wing it?

There are no package deals.  We will try to clarify a few things for you that will make your planning a little easier.  First, the cost of a riding permit is $50.00 for a nonresident.  It is good until December 31.  There are six trails in the Hatfield McCoy Trail System.  Each is unique.  The Little Coal River Trail is the easiest.  It is a great trail for very young riders with little or no experience.  The Bearwallow Trail is good trail.  There are not many places to stay around this trail, though.  It is rocky with some hard trails.  Buffalo Mtn. has a lot of single track trails for dirt bike riders.  The Pinnacle Creek Trail is an easy trail also.  It is a scenic trail.  Indian Ridge Trail is the newest.  It is similar to Pinnacle Creek.  But it is not as easy as Pinnacle.  The Rockhouse Trail (formerly called the Browning Fork Trail) is the most popular.  It is the longest trail.  It has about 110 miles of trail.  It also has the most lodging options.

None of the trails are currently connected.  There is a possibility that two pairs of the trails will be connected this year.  Also, the trail authority is working on three new trails that could might be opened this year.

There are many lodging establishments.  There are houses, cabins, trailers, apartments, and campgrounds with tent camping, cabins, and RV hookups.  There is primitive and non-primitive camping. 

If we can help you plan a trip, let us know.

Lisa and Marty

2010 is going to be a great year for the Hatfield McCoy Trails in southern WV. The system just keeps getting bigger and better. If you need additional information on the trails, just let us know. We would be happy to help you plan a trip to wild, wonderful WV!

The Rangers are not looking to cause the riders trouble.  They are there to protect everyone.  I have been a vendor of the Hatfield McCoy Trails for many years.  I sell permits to riders.  I also offer lodging to riders.  We have had thousands of riders stay with us.  We have never had anyone fined for riding a machine that was not age appropriate.  As long as the machine fits the rider, nothing is said.  I don't think the Rangers would say anything as long as your 5 year old is strapped securely.

If you need help planning a trip, I don't care to help/advise you on things.

 
The Hatfield-McCoy Trails have opened all Green (easiest) and Blue (more difficult) trails to approved UTV's!

This means UTV's can now roam more than 300 of Hatfield-McCoy's approximately 500 trail miles. It also makes Hatfield-McCoy the largest UTV-friendly trail system in the country.

As such, they've drafted a new set of rules governing the use of UTV's out on the trail. Here are the 2009 rules and regulations for bringing your two-seater to the trail system:

• Follow all rules and regulations identified in UTV owner's manual and rules and regulations listed below.

Utility Type Vehicles can only be operated on designated trails:

• Easiest Trails (Green) - Approved.
• More Difficult Trails (Blue) - Approved
• Most Difficult Trails (Black) - Not approved.
• Extreme Difficult Trails (Red Black) - Not approved.

• Signage and Maps - Every intersection will be labeled with a sticker approving or disapproving each trail. Most difficult and extreme difficult trails will receive an 18x24 metal sign located at each intersection. This sign will have a UTV with a line through it and state NO SIDE BY SIDE/UTV'S ALLOWED. Violators subject to $100.00 fine and impoundment of machine.

Machine Requirements

1. Machines may not be self constructed or substantially modified from manufacturer's specifications in the sole opinion of the Executive Director or his designee.

2. Units must be equipped with a steering wheel from the manufacturer.

3. Units must be equipped with ROPS (Roll-Over Protection System) from the manufacturer.

4. Machines must be equipped with manufacturer seat belts and must be in good working order.

5. Low pressure tires required - Max 20PSI at manufacturer's recommended inflation.

6. No machines above 855cc or 61HP allowed.

UTV Specific Rules

1. The number of passengers carried on a side by side - utility type vehicle shall be limited by the number of manufacturer installed seat belts.

2. All participants must abide by all of the manufacturer's requirements regarding the age and size of operators and passengers. In addition, regardless of the manufacturer's requirements, all passengers under the age of 16 must be able to reach grab bars and be able to place both feet on the floorboard seated upright with their back against the seatback. All operators of side by side - utility type vehicles must be at least sixteen (16) years of age or older.

3. Any operator of a side by side - utility type vehicle must possess a valid driver's license.

4. The driver and passengers of a side by side - utility type vehicle must:
• Wear seat belts at all times;
• Keep their hands, arms, feet, head and legs inside the vehicle at all times during operation;
• Wear a DOT or Snell approved helmet; and
• Wear eye protection at all times

We are vendors for the Hatfield McCoy Trails.   If you have questions about the trails or need help planning a trip, feel free to contact us!

If anyone needs info on the HM Trails, do not hesitate to contact me.  I live in southern WV in the heart of the HM Trails.

If anyone has questions about the HM Trails, just ask me.  I live in southern WV in the heart of the trail system in Gilbert, WV.

Job opportunities??  Well, I am sure there are probably more where you live.  But, I can say that coal is booming right now.  So if you could make your mining card or drive a coal truck, then, yes, there are job opportunities.  Unless you have a college degree, that is about all the job opportunities that we have.

Now, that sounds like a goooooooood trip!

any towns near the Hatfield Mccoy trail system? Do these trails run through NC or TN?

The trails only run in WV currently.  There is a plan to open in KY in the future.

[Get started with your 2009 plans today.]

Now is the time to start planning your trips for 2009.  Let me recommend the Hatfield McCoy Trails.  The system keeps growing.  The price of the 2009 permit is $50.00.  You can use this permit as many times as you want in 2009 with no additional fees. 

If you are really adventurous, plan a winter trip.  The trails are open 365 days a year.  During the winter, it is like you have the trails to yourself.  Sound tempting?? 

Get started with your 2009 plans today.

from what i understand you really can't live there though right?

Yes, you can live in the towns around the Hatfield McCoy Trails.  I live in Gilbert, WV which is in the heart of the Hatfield McCoy Trails.  Now, you can't live on the trails themselves, but there are many towns around them.  Some of the towns surrounding the trails are Gilbert, Man, Matewan, Williamson, Charleston, Logan, Pineville, and North Fork.  I am sure there is a couple more, but this is all that I can think of off the top of my head.

Most of the towns offer lodging for the trails.  Gilbert has more lodging options than any other town.

Starting January 1, 2008, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System will be changing it's fee structure to a TWO PERMIT SYSTEM. The new price system will be as follows; 1) They will be selling a RESIDENT PERMIT for $26.50 which is the same price for the current In-State Annual Fee.   2) They will also be selling a NON-RESIDENT permit for $47.00 which is ten dollars more than a current Three to Seven Permit and is thirty two dollars less than the current Out-of-State Permit. These new permits are NOT ANNUAL PERMITS. They will be valid from the point of purchase through December 31st of that year.  Even though they are not considered annual permits, if you buy a permit in January 2008, it will be valid until December 2008. 

So you may want to plan a winter expedition to the Hatfield McCoy Trails along with your other trips to the trails!  Remember, the Hatfield McCoy Trails are open 365 days a year!

That section of the trail isnt there anymore.  Gilbert now has a new entrance.  It is supposed to be a lot easier. The new entrance is straight across the road from Wally's restaurant.

Just contact me if you need additional information on the Hatfield McCoy Trails.  I have lived in southern WV all my life.  I can give you all the information that you need.

That rule was established to protect the landowners and trail authority.  If a child riding a machine that is not age appropriate wrecks and gets injured, the trail authority does not want to face legal action for allowing the child to ride the machine.  If the machine fits the child, you shouldn't have a problem.  I do not know of anyone who has been fined for that reason.  And I have dealt with many riders.

If you have any other questions, just ask!!

The Hatfield McCoy Trails are open 365 days a year.  Plan a Winter adventure!!

Thanks!!  Glad to  be able to help!!

As long as the child fits the machine, I really do not think that it would have been a problem. I do not know of any  riders that have been fined or even reprimanded for having a child on an ATV that was not "age appropriate".  Yes, most of them ride machines that fit their bodies, not their age. But the rangers on the trail do not really look for that.   It is in the trail rules as a safety precaution--therefore, the HM Authority can't be held responsible for wrecks, accidents, etc. if a child would be injured. 

Terry Fekete is very knowledgable about the trails.  He is a good person, but he is not a board member.  His son works for the Hatfield McCoy Trails in the office drafting the maps for the trails.  Terry has never been on the board of directors.


If anyone has any questions about the trails, don't hesitate to contact me.  I have been a lodge owner for five years and am a vendor for the Hatfield McCoy Trails.  I sell permits for the trail system.  I am knowledgable about the trails and its rules.

rtracey, Browning Fork Trailhouse is actually located in the community of Browning Fork in the Gilbert area.  The NC guys were probably our guests.  They come and stay with us the same time every year.