I have to admit something to you. I didn’t even know what the Hatfield-McCoy trail system was until I had already graduated high school. I grew up a few miles away from one of the main veins of the trail system.

To me it was just a place where we went muddin’, drank white lightning (water) and root beer, and got away from the world. Only later did I realize that our trail was part of a much larger system of trails in West Virginia.

The Hatfield-McCoy trail system covers over 600 miles of trails throughout most of Southern West Virginia.

Before you go though, there’s a few things that you’re going to want to do.

GRAB YOUR PERMIT

The trail is ran and maintained by the (HMT) HATFIELD-MCCOY REGIONAL RECREATION AUTHORITY. They’re a private corporation implemented by the legislature. They are what makes the trail system possible, so please pay the minimal fee so that the trail system can be maintained for years to come.

You can grab the permit in an abundance of ways, so there’s no excuse not to have it.

1. On HMT’s Web Site, at their Welcome Center, at the Country Roads Byways Visitor’s Center,
2. At one of the following staffed Trailheads, between 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
3. Bearwallow – near Logan, WV
4. Buffalo Mountain – near Logan, WV between Williamson and Delbarton
5. Devil Anse – in Matewan, WV
6. Pocahontas – Bramwell, WV
7. Pinnacle Creek – outside of Pineville, WV
8. Rockhouse – in Matewan, WV
9. Warrior – in War, WV
10. At one of over 100 authorized retail locations in the area.

GRAB YOUR ATV AND CHOOSE YOUR TRAIL

You can bring your own ATV and gear or rent it from a local business. I’ve never rented gear so here’s a resource for some popular places to rent from.

If you’re looking for a map of the trails, download the Hatfield-McCoy Trails app or look here.

CHECK OUT THE OTHER EXCITING THINGS TO SEE IN THE AREA

If you’re going to be in the area. Check out some of the other interesting things like; New River Gorge, Adventures On The Gorge, and New River Climbing School.