What should I do in an emergency on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails?

Dial 911. The Authority's 2025 trail guide says 911 centers work with local emergency teams, and it tells riders to install the what3words app and learn it before riding.

Is there cell service on the trails?

Don't count on it. The Authority's checklist suggests a cell phone or a two-way radio, and download the official maps before you lose signal. See our navigation guide.

Who patrols the Hatfield-McCoy Trails?

West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers patrol all the systems and enforce safety laws, per the 2025 trail guide and the WV DNR.

Can I ride the trails alone?

The Authority's safety checklist says to always ride with someone else. Riders under 16 must stay within sight of a parent or guardian, per the trail rules.

Why should I avoid outlaw trails?

They are undeveloped and often on private land, and the Authority warns that rescue crews may not be able to find you there. Source: Authority FAQ.

Hatfield-McCoy trail safety

The trails are remote, steep in places and shared with other traffic. This page collects what the Authority and the state actually tell riders: the checklist, how to call for help, and who patrols the systems.

The Authority's rider safety checklist

The August 2025 trail guide prints this checklist. It is short, and each line matters.

Follow all trail rules. Our permits and rules guide covers them.
Check and test your vehicle before riding.
Always ride with someone else.
Keep a safe riding distance from others.
Be mindful of the weather and dress for it.
Carry a first aid kit, tools, spare equipment and a cell phone or two-way radio.

Calling for help

For any trail emergency, dial 911. The Authority says 911 centers work with local emergency teams to keep response times short, and it publishes a master trail inventory GIS file built to help local 911 dispatchers and first responders.

what3words

The trail guide tells riders to install the free what3words app and learn it before heading out. The app gives every small square of ground a three-word address. A Kimball fire chief who helped bring it to the trails told WVVA that riders can read the three words to a 911 dispatcher, and that the words come through automatically when you text 911.

Trail markers

Every intersection and confidence marker shows the system, the trail number, the direction and the difficulty. Note the last marker you passed. It gives a dispatcher something concrete, and it helps a riding partner find you.

Cell coverage

Plan for no signal. The checklist lists a two-way radio as an alternative to a phone for a reason, and the Mine Wars Museum in Matewan warns visitors that service there is intermittent. Before you lose signal:

Download the official trail maps or your offline map area. See our map and navigation guide.
Agree on a meeting point and a turnaround time with your group.
Tell someone who isn't riding which system you're on and when you expect to be back.

Riding with a partner

"Always ride with someone else" is on the checklist, and the rules add a specific case: riders under 16 must stay under the direct supervision and within sight of a parent or guardian at all times. In a group, keep spacing, and regroup at intersections so nobody takes the wrong trail.

What to carry

Item	Why	Source
DOT or Snell helmet and eye protection	Required for every rider and passenger	Trail rules
First aid kit	On the safety checklist	2025 trail guide
Tools and spare equipment	On the safety checklist	2025 trail guide
Phone with what3words, or a two-way radio	For calling 911 and keeping in touch	2025 trail guide
Weather-appropriate clothing	On the safety checklist	2025 trail guide
Owner's manual (UTVs)	Must be produced on request	Trail rules
Driver's license or state photo ID (16 and older)	Required at all times on the trails	WV CSR 204-1-6

Signs, traffic and changing trails

The rules tell riders to watch for oncoming traffic, especially on blind curves and hills, and to keep speed reasonable and under control. Some trails carry authorized traffic such as coal trucks, emergency vehicles, heavy equipment and landowners, and signs warn where they do. Caution signs mark a hazard ahead, and temporary closure signs mean a trail is shut for construction or repair. Trail layouts can change with conditions, so take the updated map posted at the trailhead.

Trails are open only in daylight, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Leave time to get back.

Stay on marked trails

The Authority warns riders away from "outlaw trails," the undeveloped routes often on private land. Its point is about rescue as much as trespass: in an emergency, crews may not be able to find you in an unknown area.

Who patrols the trails

The trail guide says every Hatfield-McCoy system is patrolled by West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers, who enforce all safety laws and policies. The WV Division of Natural Resources says the same of its officers. Expect permit checks, and stop when an officer signals.

If you break down or get hurt

Someone is hurt: call 911 if you can. If you cannot call, try texting 911; watch for a message saying the text was not delivered. Give the dispatcher your what3words address, the system name and the last trail marker number.
No signal: send your partner to the nearest point with service or to the trailhead, with the location written down.
Machine trouble: get it off the trail line where you can, so other riders and trail traffic can pass. Use your tools and spares.
Can't fix it: plan recovery with your group well before dark. On a rented machine, ask the outfitter before you ride what to do if it breaks down.