Purpose-built
Full-size permitted systems
Several Hatfield-McCoy systems allow full-size vehicles on designated trails. Check current designations — they change.
Full guide to Hatfield-McCoy Trails →Off-Roading & 4x4
Designated routes within the Hatfield-McCoy system accommodate full-size vehicles on select trails, and forest service roads across the Monongahela open a large amount of legal backcountry driving and dispersed camping access.
Full-size vehicles are permitted on a smaller share of Hatfield-McCoy trail than ATVs and side-by-sides. The Monongahela National Forest road system adds a substantial amount of legal backcountry driving.
Select Hatfield-McCoy systems permit full-size, and the Monongahela road network offers hundreds of miles of legal backcountry driving.
Our recommendations
Where we'd send you
For access, not challenge
Monongahela forest roads
Hundreds of miles of gravel opening trailheads, fishing access and dispersed camping across the highlands.
Full guide to Otter Creek Wilderness →The notorious one
Forest Road 75
The rough gravel road out to Bear Rocks along the Dolly Sods plateau. Slow, washboarded and worth it.
Full guide to Bear Rocks Preserve →Practical note
Forest roads close seasonally for mud and wildlife, sometimes without much warning. Check the Monongahela National Forest status page before relying on a forest road, particularly during the spring thaw when soft surfaces rut easily.
What to know before you go
- Forest service roads close seasonally for wildlife and mud
- onX Offroad and Gaia GPS both carry the road layers you need out of cell coverage
Regions that do it best
Off-road trail towns and reclaimed mine country
Southern Coalfields
The five southernmost counties, where deep mining shaped the settlement pattern and, more recently, the recreation economy.
Highest terrain, ski areas, wilderness backpackingPotomac Highlands
All terrain in West Virginia above 4,000 feet lies in this region, including Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet.
Reservoirs, trout water, developing rail-trailMountain Lakes
The geographic center of the state and its least-visited region.
Every place we cover for off-roading & 4x4
Trips built around it
AdvertiseThis space is available
Guides and rentals for off-roading & 4x4
Reserved for a West Virginia operator serving this activity. Everything above and below it is unpaid editorial.
List your business hereQuestions people ask
Are there 4x4 trails in West Virginia?
Yes — select Hatfield-McCoy trail systems permit full-size vehicles, and the Monongahela National Forest road network offers extensive legal backcountry driving.
Organizations, agencies and resources · 6
The groups doing the actual work — access, maintenance, licensing and data. Starred entries are worth following continuously.
Gaia GPS
Platform
Offline topographic mapping with USGS quads, forest service layers and route planning — essential in West Virginia's poor cell coverage.
Visit
Hatfield-McCoy Trails / Trails Heaven
Government
Essential statewide and southern West Virginia motorized trail resource — permits, trail systems, maps and trail town information.
Visit
Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority
Government
The public authority that manages, permits and expands the Hatfield-McCoy trail system across former coal lands.
Visit
WVDNR ORV Resources
Government
Off-road vehicle regulations, registration and permitted-use information on state lands.
Visit
onX Offroad
Platform
Motorized trail and forest road mapping with legal-status layers and offline navigation.
Visit
Gaia GPS Offroad
Platform
Forest service road layers and offline topographic mapping for backcountry driving.
Visit