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ATV & Off-Road

Hatfield McCoy Trailhead Locations: Complete Guide to Where to Ride in West Virginia

If you're planning an ATV, UTV, dirt bike, or off-road adventure in southern West Virginia, knowing the Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations is one of the most important parts of planning your trip.

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails stretch across the rugged mountains and historic coal communities of southern West Virginia. With approximately 1,200 miles of professionally managed trails, the system has become one of America's premier off-road riding destinations.

Because the trail systems cover such a large area, there isn't one central starting point. Instead, there are numerous Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations where riders can park, unload their machines, purchase permits at staffed locations, and begin exploring.

Below is a guide to the major trailheads and communities you should know before planning your West Virginia ATV adventure.

An all-terrain vehicle splashing through mud on a forest trail

Quick Info

System:
Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Miles of trail:
Approximately 1,200
Open to:
ATV, UTV, dirt bike, some ORVs
Best time:
Spring through fall (check winter closures)
2026 permit:
$26.50 WV residents / $65.00 non-residents (tax incl.)
More info:
TrailsHeaven.com

1. Bearwallow Trailhead – Ethel, West Virginia

Location: Ethel, WV 25076  ·  Area: Logan County

Bearwallow is one of the original Hatfield-McCoy trail systems and is located near Logan, West Virginia. The trailhead provides parking and restroom facilities and makes an excellent starting point for riders staying around Logan.

Bearwallow offers everything from scenic riding to challenging terrain. It's particularly attractive to riders looking for a mixture of trail difficulties.

2. Buffalo Mountain Trailhead – Williamson Area

Location: Williamson, WV 25661  ·  Area: Mingo County

Buffalo Mountain is one of the most historically interesting Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations because riders are exploring the same region associated with the legendary Hatfield-McCoy feud.

The trail system provides community access to Williamson, Delbarton, and Matewan, giving riders opportunities to find restaurants, fuel, lodging, and supplies without leaving the overall riding experience.

Buffalo Mountain also connects with Devil Anse, Rockhouse, and Braveheart, creating an enormous connected riding area.

3. Devil Anse Trailhead – Matewan, West Virginia

Location: Matewan, WV 25678  ·  Area: Mingo County

The Devil Anse Trailhead puts riders right in historic Matewan.

This is one of the most interesting Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations for visitors who want to combine off-road riding with West Virginia history. Matewan is closely associated with both the Hatfield-McCoy feud and the famous Matewan Massacre.

Even better, Devil Anse connects with Buffalo Mountain, Rockhouse, and Braveheart, giving riders access to hundreds of miles of connected trails. Food, lodging, and fuel are available in the Matewan area.

4. Rockhouse & Braveheart Trailhead – Man, West Virginia

Location: Man, WV 25635  ·  Area: Logan County

Rockhouse has long been one of the best-known trail systems in the Hatfield-McCoy network. The newer Braveheart Trail System shares the Rockhouse parking area and trailhead facility.

Rockhouse offers more than 100 miles of riding and provides access to the ATV-friendly communities of Man and Gilbert.

This is an especially useful starting point for riders planning a multi-day adventure because Rockhouse connects into the Devil Anse, Buffalo Mountain, and Braveheart riding areas.

5. Pinnacle Creek Trailhead – Pineville, West Virginia

Address: 2733 Pinnacle Creek Road, Pineville, WV 24874  ·  Area: Wyoming County

Pinnacle Creek is another important entry on any list of Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations. The trailhead has a large parking area, restrooms, and a staffed facility. Pineville provides riders with access to food, fuel, lodging, and other services.

Pinnacle Creek is particularly important because it connects with Warrior, Indian Ridge, and Pocahontas, creating a massive continuous riding area in southern West Virginia.

6. Indian Ridge Trailhead – Ashland, West Virginia

Location: Ashland/Crumpler Road area, near Northfork, WV  ·  Area: McDowell County

Indian Ridge is located near Ashland and Northfork in McDowell County. The trailhead includes a parking area of more than two acres along with restrooms.

Unlike many other major Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations, Indian Ridge is not staffed, so riders should purchase their permits before arriving. Permits are available at nearby authorized retailers.

Indian Ridge connects with Pinnacle Creek, Warrior, and Pocahontas.

7. Pocahontas Trailhead – Bramwell/Coaldale, West Virginia

Address: 11110 Coal Heritage Road, Bramwell, WV 24715  ·  Area: Mercer County

The Pocahontas Trail System begins near Coaldale, just outside historic Bramwell. Bramwell itself is worth visiting. Once one of America's wealthiest small towns, it became famous for the extraordinary number of millionaires who lived there during West Virginia's coal boom.

The Pocahontas system connects with Indian Ridge, Pinnacle Creek, and Warrior. Together, these trails create one of the largest continuous off-road riding areas in the eastern United States.

8. Warrior Trailhead – War, West Virginia

Address: 84 Silcox Lane, War, WV 24892  ·  Area: McDowell County

Located in the City of War, the Warrior Trailhead provides another gateway into the huge southern section of the Hatfield-McCoy network. War is West Virginia's southernmost incorporated city, making this one of the most geographically interesting Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations.

Warrior connects with Indian Ridge, Pinnacle Creek, and Pocahontas. Riders can also access the ATV-friendly community of Gary.

9. Cabwaylingo Trailhead – Wilsondale, West Virginia

Address: 39 Tick Ridge Road, Wilsondale, WV 25699  ·  Area: Cabwaylingo State Forest

Cabwaylingo offers a somewhat different Hatfield-McCoy experience because the trails run through thousands of acres of beautiful West Virginia state forest land. ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and qualifying ORVs can use the system. The trailhead offers parking, restrooms, permits, and merchandise.

For riders who enjoy combining off-road adventure with camping and outdoor recreation, Cabwaylingo deserves serious consideration.

10. Ivy Branch Trailhead – Julian, West Virginia

Address: 4260 Julian Road, Julian, WV 25529  ·  Area: Boone County

Ivy Branch is conveniently located roughly 20 minutes from the Charleston area, making it one of the most accessible Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations for visitors arriving from Interstate 64 or central West Virginia. The trailhead has parking, restrooms, permits, and merchandise.

Ivy Branch is particularly noteworthy because the system accommodates full-size off-road vehicles in addition to ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes, subject to Hatfield-McCoy vehicle and safety requirements.

11. Big Coal River Trailhead – Peytona, West Virginia

Location: Peytona, WV  ·  Area: Boone County

Big Coal River expands the Hatfield-McCoy riding opportunities in Boone County and provides another option for visitors traveling into southern West Virginia from Charleston and Interstate 64.

The system is particularly convenient for riders looking for an adventure without traveling as far south as McDowell or Mercer counties.

12. Tornado Single Trax Trailhead – Tornado, West Virginia

Address: 7900 Smith Creek Road, Tornado, WV 25202  ·  Area: Kanawha County

Tornado Single Trax is different from the traditional Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations because this system is specifically designed for single-track riding. The approximately 35-mile system is open to dirt bikes and e-bikes rather than traditional ATV and UTV traffic.

The parking area is located at 7900 Smith Creek Road. Permits, restrooms, merchandise, and visitor information are available at the nearby Coal River Group Welcome Center.

A rider driving a quad bike along a muddy off-road trail

Which Hatfield McCoy Trailhead Should You Choose?

Choosing among the Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations depends largely on what type of trip you want.

For a huge connected riding adventure, consider starting around Pinnacle Creek, Indian Ridge, Pocahontas, or Warrior. These systems connect to create hundreds of miles of continuous riding.

For riders interested in Hatfield-McCoy history, Devil Anse and Buffalo Mountain are excellent starting points around Matewan and Williamson.

For access to Rockhouse and the new Braveheart system, start in Man, West Virginia.

Full-size off-road vehicle enthusiasts should investigate systems such as Ivy Branch and Cabwaylingo, while dirt-bike riders looking specifically for single-track terrain should consider Tornado Single Trax.

Hatfield-McCoy Trail Permits

A valid Hatfield-McCoy Trails user permit is required to ride the trail system.

For 2026, permits are $26.50 for West Virginia residents and $65.00 for non-residents, including tax. Permits are valid from the date of purchase through December 31 of that calendar year.

Permits can be purchased at staffed Hatfield-McCoy trailhead facilities, visitor centers, authorized retailers, and through the official Hatfield-McCoy Trails website.

Always check current trail maps, regulations, closures, and trailhead information before beginning your trip.

Plan Your West Virginia ATV Adventure

The many Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations make it possible to experience a different part of southern West Virginia on every visit.

You can ride through old coal communities, climb remote Appalachian ridges, visit historic towns like Matewan and Bramwell, and stop for food or fuel in ATV-friendly communities without loading your machine back onto the trailer.

Whether you're planning a weekend trip or a week-long off-road vacation, choosing the right trailhead can make a huge difference.

Bookmark this guide to the Hatfield McCoy trailhead locations, choose your starting point, check the latest official trail map, load up your ATV or UTV, and get ready to experience one of the premier off-road trail networks in the United States.

Official Trail Information: Visit TrailsHeaven.com for current Hatfield-McCoy trail maps, permits, regulations, and trail conditions.

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