Hatfield-Mccoy Trails to Partner with Navigation Application Developer to Provide Mapping Solutions for Riders

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail (HMT) System is partnering with navigation application developer onX Offroad to provide a new way to safely navigate the trails in real-time.

“The maps application currently on your phone may be useful for highway driving and finding an address, but these apps aren’t much help when it comes to off-roading on our trails,” said HMT Executive Director Jeffrey Lusk. “Quite a few of our trails are in areas with little or no cell service, which makes traditional navigation impossible. The onX Offroad Application will change all that.”

The onX Offroad app currently provides over 600,000 miles of mapping data that will soon include the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. The app allows riders to download maps for offline use and use their phone’s GPS while on the trails to pinpoint their location and explore the HMT system.

John Fekete, Deputy Executive Director of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, is impressed with the app’s offline capabilities. “For years, we have provided downloadable trail maps for offline use, but this app provides a simplified, directional navigation view of the trail while driving. That’s a real game changer,” said Fekete.

Trail riders will find all the information they need to safely navigate the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, including trail difficulty ratings, different map views, vehicle allowance, open and closure information, and recreation point details for lodging, river access, trailheads and local businesses. What’s more, riders can use the built-in tracker to add custom waypoints for campsites, obstacles, parking, and anything else they might want to save.

“We are proud to become the official navigation partner, combining the East Coast’s preeminent trail system, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, and onX Offroad’s GPS App technology,” stated onX Offroad General Manager, Rory Edwards. “Providing HMT users with easily accessible and up-to-date trail navigation, so they can make the most of their time out there, enjoying routes and exploring the largest trail system in the world.”

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails constantly change as land use agreements on existing trails are renegotiated, and new tracks are established. HMT personnel are actively involved with onX Offroad’s dedicated geospatial team to review all HMT trail data to ensure accuracy. As the official mapping application for the HMT, riders can be sure the information they are receiving from onX Offroad is current and proven.

“Riders can be misled by user-generated and unverified mapping information,” said HMT’s Marketing Consultant, Chris Zeto. “Right now, folks are selling unsanctioned trail maps and even pre-loaded tablets that can contain unreliable and outdated mapping information. These maps can get you lost or, in some situations, lead you to private and posted lands as an unwelcome visitor. Now riders have an app they can depend on.”

For more information regarding onX Offroad applications, visit onxmaps.com.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Title and Registration, for West Virginia Residents and Non-West Virginia Residents, are not required when riding your machine along a Hatfield-McCoy Trail System or on a Hatfield-McCoy Trails approved road within the Trails project area.

1.) When riding a machine on any Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, an individual must obtain a Hatfield-McCoy Trails User Permit and wear a DOT or SNELL approved helmet.

2.) When riding a machine on any Hatfield-McCoy Trails approved roads, highways or ATV-friendly towns, an individual must obtain a Hatfield-McCoy Trails User Permit, wear a DOT or SNELL approved helmet and have liability insurance.

**Please note that the regulations above ONLY apply to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and Hatfield-McCoy Trails project areas.

Please be aware that regulations vary outside of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails project areas.

Thank you,

HMT Staff

Hatfield-McCoy Trails to Offer Free Passes to WV Residents during the 2022 WV Day Weekend!

West Virginia’s state slogan proudly proclaims: “Mountaineers Are Always Free.” This West Virginia Day Weekend, those words take on a new meaning for riders on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

WV State Residents can ride for free during the West Virginia Day holiday weekend, June 17 through June 20, 2022. West Virginia Day Trail Passes will be available to state residents who present a valid West Virginia driver’s license or West Virginia state-issued I.D. at HMT trailheads and facilities.

“This is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for the support to the residents of WV,” said Marketing Consultant, Chris Zeto. “We look forward to creating memories with you, your family, and friends during the WV Day holiday weekend!”

HMT officials caution all riders that Hatfield-McCoy Trails regulations apply to all riders and note that West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Police Officers will be out on the trails checking for rider permits.

West Virginia Day permits are NOT available at local retailers and are only valid from June 17 through June 20, 2022.

All Hatfield-McCoy Trails Rules & Regulations apply.

https://trailsheaven.com/about-the-trails/trail-rules-regulations/

“WV Day” permits are only available at the Hatfield-McCoy Trails trailheads & facilities listed below:

Bearwallow Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Buffalo Mountain Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Cabwaylingo Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Country Roads Visitors Center – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Devil Anse Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Hatfield McCoy Welcome Center – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Ivy Branch Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Pinnacle Creek Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Pocahontas Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Rockhouse Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Warrior Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

We now offer two new mapping data files to make planning your next trip to HMT easier!

• Master Trail Inventory- Shape File. This file was created to assist our local 911 dispatch units and first responders. Opening this Shapefile (.shp) requires compatible GIS mapping software.
• Google Earth Total Inventory- KMZ File. This file was created to show all HMT assets in one user-friendly location. All HMT trail systems, trailhead facilities and community connectors can be accessed on this interactive map! To open and read this file, you will need mapping software compatible with the KMZ (.kmz) file format, such as Google Earth.

To access these files, please visit link- https://trailsheaven.com/trail-maps/

To access these files, you must register for an account. Once you create an account, you will receive an email when these files are updated. Please note that these files are frequently updated due to activity on the property such as natural resource extraction and maintenance.

The Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority (Authority) is a public corporation and instrumentality of government set up to manage off-road trails in southern West Virginia, better known as the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is an economic development project utilizing tourism to promote entrepreneurship and job creation.

The goals of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System are to diversify the economy of southern West Virginia, provide a positive economic impact within the fourteen-county project area and to offer a safe recreational experience for each visitor of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.

The proposed East Lynn area trail would have encompassed roughly 9,000 acres of the East Lynn Wildlife Management area. As part of its community and environmental assessment and impacts process, the Authority solicited public input on the proposed East Lynn project.  Based on the responses and participation of community members in the public input process, the Authority Board of Directors has decided to suspend the project.  The importance of community input into this type of decision is reflective to its success and the Authority Board of Directors appreciates the feedback from members of the community.

“Our goal is to enter an area that is looking to diversify their communities through tourism opportunities,” said Chris Zeto, Marketing Consultant of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. “We respect the views of all involved parties and at this time, we feel that we need to redirect our attention to other areas.”

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system will continue to seek out new projects and expansions within their fourteen-county project area.

**All events listed below are hosted by other organizations/groups.

Dirt Days 2021: July 22-25, 2021- Williamson, WV. Click here for event details!

Summer Shindig/Craig Morgan Concert: July 24, 2021- Appalachian Outpost. Click here for event details!

Dignity Hospice Charity Ride: August 14, 2021- Rockhouse Trailhead. Click here for event details!

ChildLaw Services Charity Ride: August 14, 2021- Pocahontas Trailhead. Click here for event details!

National TrailFest 2021: October 7-11,2021- Gilbert, WV. Click here for event details!

Beginning July 1, 2021, all Hatfield-McCoy Trails (HMT) trailhead facilities, HMT Welcome Center and Country Roads Visitor Center will transition to credit/debit card only transactions. Cash will no longer be accepted or available onsite at any of these locations. We truly appreciate your patience during this transition and apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you,

HMT Staff

For a list of other authorized permit retailers and locations, see link below!

https://trailsheaven.com/?page_id=170443

Hatfield-McCoy Trails to Offer Free Passes to WV Residents during the WV Day Weekend!

West Virginia’s state slogan proudly proclaims: “Mountaineers Are Always Free.” This West Virginia Day Weekend, those words take on a new meaning for riders on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

WV State Residents can ride for free during the West Virginia Day holiday weekend, June 18 through June 21, 2021. West Virginia Day Trail Passes will be available to state residents who present a valid West Virginia driver’s license or WV state-issued I.D. at HMT trailheads and facilities.

“We want all Mountaineers to discover the best ATV trails in the U.S.A.,” said Hatfield-McCoy Trails Executive Director, Jeffrey Lusk.  “So, saddle up, ride free and celebrate West Virginia Day with us.”

Lusk cautions all riders that Hatfield-McCoy Trails regulations apply to all riders and noted that West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Police Officers will be out on the trails checking for rider permits.

West Virginia Day permits are not available online or at local retailers and are only valid from June 18 through June 21, 2021. Residents can visit trailsheaven.com for complete listing of all Hatfield-McCoy Trails permit pickup locations and trail regulations.

All Hatfield-McCoy Trails Rules & Regulations apply.

https://trailsheaven.com/about-the-trails/trail-rules-regulations/

“WV Day” permits are only available at Hatfield-McCoy Trails trailheads & facilities:

Bearwallow Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Buffalo Mountain Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Cabwaylingo Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Country Roads Visitors Center – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Devil Anse Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Hatfield McCoy Welcome Center – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Ivy Branch Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Pinnacle Creek Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Pocahontas Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Rockhouse Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

Warrior Trailhead – Open 9:00am to 2:00pm

DIVERSIFIED GAS & OIL AND HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS PARTNER ON EARTH DAY CLEAN UP

2.3 Tons Of Trash Collected From Hatfield-McCoy Ivy Branch Trail

Diversified Gas & Oil, PLC properties in West Virginia cover a significant portion of the state – including areas that make up parts of the Hatfield-McCoy, Ivy Branch Trail system. So it was a natural fit for DGOC, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and police officers from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to partner for an Earth Day Trail Cleanup on April 22.

Hatfield-McCoy and local Diversified Gas & Oil personnel were quick to volunteer and worked together to remove 2.3 tons of debris from the Ivy Branch Trail – including over 50 tires that will now be recycled.

DGOC Production Manager Bob Simmons was proud to be part of the effort. “My wife and I spend most of our free time hiking and bicycling in our beautiful state. We appreciate the opportunity to help restore this little piece of heaven.”

“When DGOC extended their invitation to join with them to celebrate Earth Day, we jumped at the chance,” said John Fekete, HMT Deputy Executive Director, “We must continue to keep our trails and roadways clean and free of trash and litter.  We look forward to more collaborations with DGOC in the future!”

Working together organizations like Diversified Gas & Oil, PLC and Hatfield-McCoy Trails can make a difference and contribute to a better quality of life for us all. To find out more about how you or your organization can help our planet visit: www.earthday.org.