Off-road riding heaven in West Virginia

The Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area’s Rockhouse Trail System in West Virginia is one of the most fun, challenging and rider-friendly areas in the country. Hatfield-McCoy is in southwestern West Virginia, about 50 miles from Charleston, the state capital.

The Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area has a number of trail systems. The Rockhouse system has more than 100 miles of riding nirvana. The towns of Mann and Gilbert, which are on the trails, fully support trail riders.

Rockhouse offers trails for every skill level from easy to more difficult to most difficult to extremely difficult. The easiest trails are normally wider and make for great family or group rides for riders of all abilities.

But don’t be fooled by the seemingly easy-to-navigate terrain you’ll find on some of the trails rated “extremely difficult.” Just around the turn they can become very steep, narrow and have large rock sections. Heed warning signs that say, “DANGER, For Highly Experienced Riders Only!”

There are a few motorcycle-only trails but most are shared with ATVs.

The trails are open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. Camping and fires are prohibited on the trails. The entire system of trails is on private property so please stay on the trails. Honor all “No Trail” and “Do Not Enter” signs.

The local communities offer many lodging options. Commuters can use the day-use-only lots, while overnights can choose between private campgrounds with primitive tent camping to full hookups for RVs, cabins, B7Bs, motels and even individual homes for large groups.

Directions: Rockhouse Trailhead, 83 Rockhouse Creek Road, Man, W.Va., 25635 (lat 37.726389, long -81.88371). It has a two-acre parking lot, on site restrooms, permits and merchandise at the staffed trailhead.

For more info, go to trailsheaven.com/plan-your-trip/choose-a-trail/rockhouse.