Seasons and trip timing
Best time to ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trails
The trails offer year-round riding. Choose fall for a foliage-focused trip, or use spring and summer events to shape your visit. Winter is an option too, with changing trail conditions to plan around.
Spring
WV Tourism includes Hatfield-McCoy riding in its spring adventure guide. Pair a ride with May's Heritage Day in Matewan if local history interests you. For an Easter trip, arrange permits before relying on a staffed trailhead.
Summer
WV Tourism's summer guide also features the trails. June's Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Festival is another reason to check the local calendar. Choose your riding dates around the activities your group wants, then check the forecast and dress for the conditions, as the Authority's safety checklist advises.
Fall and fall color
For leaves, WV Tourism's fall scenic-drive guide suggests late October in the Hatfield-McCoy Mountains and specifically recommends seeing the foliage by ATV, UTV or dirt bike. Use that as a planning window, then consult WV Tourism's fall updates nearer departure. September's King Coal Festival and October's National TrailFest offer other ways to time a visit.
Winter
Winter riding remains on the calendar. WV Tourism's off-roading guide says winter trail conditions vary and can include frozen ground, snow and mud. Check conditions before committing to a route, dress for the weather and confirm the services you intend to use.
Daylight riding hours
The 2025 Authority brochure gives riding hours as half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Plan your return using the local sunset for your riding date. Trailhead staffing hours are separate from the time you may ride.
Holiday closures of staffed trailheads
The brochure notes major-holiday exceptions to staffing at many trailheads. The Authority's April 2021 FAQ names New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as facility closures. That FAQ lists Cabwaylingo as an exception, open year-round; its brochure entry also lists daily staffing without the holiday exclusion.
Confirm the current holiday arrangements with the Authority before travelling. Buy your permits ahead of a holiday ride or confirm an authorized vendor's hours and supply. A staffing closure is separate from the year-round trail schedule; always obey posted trail closures.
Weather and mud: check the day's conditions
The brochure asks riders to dress for the weather and directs them to Authority news for trail-condition updates. Use current Authority notices and the latest maps before riding. The winter mud described by WV Tourism is a reason to check conditions, not a promise about what any particular trail will be like.
Events by month
These months come from WV Tourism's event listings and guides, including past editions. Confirm the next edition with the organizer before booking; this is a seasonal planning aid, not a dated event schedule. See our events guide.
| Month | Event to check | Source |
|---|---|---|
| May | Matewan Heritage Day | WV Tourism listing |
| June | Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Festival in the border area | WV Tourism feud tour |
| September | King Coal Festival in Williamson | WV Tourism listing |
| October | National TrailFest in Gilbert | WV Tourism autumn guide |
Trip planning checklist → · More area events →
Sources
- Hatfield-McCoy Trails August 2025 brochure
- Hatfield-McCoy Trails April 2021 FAQs
- trailsheaven.com — how to get a permit
- trailsheaven.com — about the trails / trail rules regulations
- wvtourism.com — plan ahead spring adventure
- wvtourism.com — summer state parks
- wvtourism.com — seasons / fall / scenic drives
- wvtourism.com — discover one of the worlds largest off roading trail systems / amp
- trailsheaven.com — category / news
- wvtourism.com — seasons / fall
- wvtourism.com — event / heritage day
- wvtourism.com — tour mccoy hatfield feud
- wvtourism.com — event / king coal festival
- wvtourism.com — autumn events in almost heaven