West Virginia Trail Systems Best Suited to Side-by-Sides
A side-by-side can make West Virginia’s rocky climbs and long trail days more comfortable, but machine width matters: some routes are too narrow, technical, or restricted for wider UTVs. This guide compares West Virginia riding areas with side-by-side owners in mind, explains how to check access before unloading, and helps you choose a system that fits your machine and riding style.
How to Choose a West Virginia Trail System for a Side-by-Side
Start with machine width and trail restrictions
“Side-by-side” covers a wide range of machines. A compact two-seat UTV and a wide four-seat model may look equally trail-ready at the dealership, but they can have very different access on the ground. Measure your machine at its widest point, including accessories such as wheels, fender flares, mirrors, and aftermarket bumpers. Then compare that measurement with the current restrictions for the specific trail system and route you plan to ride.
Do not assume that a system is suitable simply because UTVs are commonly seen there. Access can vary by trail, and a route that fits one machine may be a poor choice for another. The distinction is especially important for machines wider than 64 inches. Read [Wide Machine Restrictions on West Virginia Trails] and [West Virginia Trails Too Tight for a 64-Inch Machine] before planning around a large or modified UTV. If the information is unclear, ask the trail authority or local trailhead staff before setting out.
Width is only part of the fit. A long-wheelbase machine may have trouble negotiating tight turns or uneven ledges, while a low-clearance model can struggle with rock shelves and deep ruts. Added roof racks, windshields, doors, and cargo can also affect visibility, balance, and how easily the machine moves through narrow sections. A route may technically allow your UTV but still be an uncomfortable or demanding ride for its size.
Match terrain to your passengers and experience
West Virginia trails can change character quickly. A family hoping for a relaxed scenic ride may not enjoy a route with repeated steep grades, tight switchbacks, or rocky ledges. On the other hand, experienced drivers who enjoy technical riding may find broad, easier routes less engaging. Consider who is riding, how confident the driver is, and whether passengers are comfortable with sustained bumps and climbing.
Trail color and difficulty markings are useful starting points, not a guarantee that every mile will feel the same. Rain, erosion, and maintenance work can change the surface, and a route that felt manageable on a dry day may become slick or rutted afterward. Review [West Virginia Trail Difficulty and How It Is Marked] and make a conservative plan if you are carrying children, new riders, or passengers who have not spent a full day in a UTV.
It also helps to think beyond driving skill. A long day with frequent stops, dust, and rough terrain can be tiring even in a comfortable machine. Choose a first route that leaves room to turn around, take breaks, and finish before everyone is worn out. If you are travelling with a mixed group, build the day around the least experienced driver rather than asking them to keep up with the most adventurous rider.
Hatfield-McCoy Systems Worth Considering for Side-by-Sides
Rockhouse for a substantial ride near Gilbert
Rockhouse is a natural option to research if your plans are centered on Gilbert. The area is known as one of the Hatfield-McCoy trail systems, and its connection to the surrounding trail-town experience can make it attractive to riders who want to combine time on the trails with nearby lodging, food, or fuel. Its size and varied terrain may appeal to drivers looking for more than a short outing, but the specific route still needs to fit your machine and ability.
Do not treat the system’s overall reputation as a promise that every trail is suitable for every side-by-side. Review current maps and access information, then choose routes that match your UTV’s width and your passengers’ comfort level. [Riding the Rockhouse Trail System] can help you explore the system as a destination, while [Rockhouse Trail Difficulty Ratings] is a useful related topic when you are narrowing down a route. When in doubt, plan a shorter first loop rather than committing the group to a demanding full day.
Rockhouse can be a good match for a group that wants a riding base with nearby town access, but the logistics still matter. Before you leave your lodging or the trailhead, confirm where you can park, what routes connect to your starting point, and whether your planned ride returns to the same area. A clear plan helps prevent a common end-of-day problem: reaching a junction tired and unsure whether the route leads back toward the trailer.
Bearwallow for riders using Logan as a base
Bearwallow is another system to consider, particularly if you are staying or meeting near Logan. Its location can make it appealing for riders who want access to a southern West Virginia trail town without building the whole trip around a remote starting point. As with any system, the actual fit depends on the current route conditions, the machine’s dimensions, and the driver’s experience—not just the name of the trail network.
Before choosing Bearwallow, check which trailhead makes sense for your group and verify that the route you want is open and appropriate for your machine. A map can help you understand the overall layout, but it cannot replace checking posted signs and recent closure notices. Use [Bearwallow Access From Logan] as a starting point for trip planning, and consult [Trail Closures on West Virginia's Trail System] before you tow several hours to ride.
For a side-by-side group, Bearwallow may be most appealing when the ride is part of a broader stay around Logan and the drivers are comfortable navigating an unfamiliar trail network. Keep the first outing flexible. If the route feels tighter or rougher than expected, pause at a safe location, reassess the map, and choose an easier way back rather than pressing onward to meet an ambitious mileage target.
Other Systems to Compare for Your UTV Trip
Buffalo Mountain, Devil Anse, and nearby connections
Buffalo Mountain and Devil Anse are worth comparing if your trip is based around the Williamson and Matewan area. This part of southern West Virginia offers a different base-town feel from Logan or Gilbert, and the names may come up when you are looking at connected riding plans. Connections between systems can be appealing, but they also make it especially important to understand where one trail network ends, what access is permitted, and how to get back to your starting point.
A connected map does not mean every machine can use every connecting trail. Check your UTV’s width against the applicable rules, and identify any segments that may be tight, restricted, or unsuitable for your skill level. [West Virginia Trail Systems You Can Link in One Day] can help you think through multi-system planning, while [Hatfield-McCoy Trailheads and Where to Start] is useful when you are deciding where to unload and begin.
If your group is new to the area, avoid designing the first day around the longest possible connection. Pick a home trailhead, ride a manageable loop, and use the experience to judge how quickly the group travels over local terrain. That gives you a better sense of your real pace, which matters more than the distance shown on a map when planning a second day.
Pinnacle Creek and Pocahontas for riders comparing trip bases
Pinnacle Creek and Pocahontas are additional systems to consider when choosing a place to stay and ride. Nearby communities such as Pineville and Bramwell can help shape a trip, especially if your group is coordinating lodging, trailers, and daily starts. The best choice is not necessarily the system with the most appealing name or the longest-looking route. It is the one where your machine is allowed, your planned trails suit the group, and your launch point works for the trip.
For a side-by-side, verify trail dimensions and route access before you settle on a particular loop. A large machine may have fewer comfortable options than a compact UTV, and an advertised or mapped connection may not be the right route for your particular vehicle. Explore [Pinnacle Creek Access From Pineville] and [Pocahontas Access From Bramwell] as location-focused starting points, then confirm the details with official trail information and signs.
These areas can also make sense for a multi-day trip where you want to ride from different bases rather than trying to cover every system in one weekend. Keep each day’s plan realistic: account for loading and unloading, fuel, food, weather, and the possibility that a route will take longer than expected. If your group is travelling with more than one UTV, agree on a turnaround point before the ride so no one feels pressured to push on when the terrain becomes uncomfortable.
| Trail system or area | Useful base to consider | What side-by-side riders should check |
|---|---|---|
| Rockhouse | Gilbert | Route difficulty, machine width, and return-to-trailhead plan |
| Bearwallow | Logan | Current access, closures, and whether the chosen route fits the group |
| Buffalo Mountain and Devil Anse | Williamson or Matewan | Connection rules, route width, and where each trail network begins |
| Pinnacle Creek | Pineville | Trailhead logistics, machine access, and the day’s realistic riding distance |
| Pocahontas | Bramwell | Current route conditions, UTV fit, and lodging or trailer arrangements |
Plan the Ride Around Your Actual Machine
Check maps, signs, and closures before unloading
A reliable trip plan uses more than one source of information. Start with the official trail system map and posted access guidance, then check for closures or route changes close to your travel date. At the trailhead, read the kiosk and signs rather than relying on what someone remembers from a previous season. A route can be temporarily closed for maintenance, or a restriction may apply to a specific segment rather than the whole system.
A mapping app can be useful for orientation and for keeping track of your general position, but it should not be treated as permission to ride. onX Offroad can serve as a supplemental map reference while you compare your planned route with official trail information. Download or save what you need before entering areas where phone service may be limited, and keep a paper map or another backup option if you are riding unfamiliar territory.
Use the same careful approach when planning connections. A line on a screen may not show every restriction, gate, or current closure. [West Virginia Trail Maps and Signage] offers another useful reference for understanding how to navigate, and [Hatfield-McCoy Trail Systems You Can Link in One Day] can help you consider connections without assuming every route is open or suitable. If two sources disagree, stop and seek clarification before entering the questionable segment.
Prepare for width, clearance, and recovery needs
Before the trip, measure the vehicle as it will actually be ridden. If you have installed wider wheels, spacers, a bumper, or other accessories, measure again rather than relying on the factory specification. Share the measurement with your riding group, and confirm any width rules that apply to the routes under consideration. A little preparation at home is much easier than discovering a restriction after the trailer is parked.
Also consider ground clearance, wheelbase, turning radius, and the machine’s loaded weight. A vehicle carrying several passengers and gear behaves differently from an empty UTV. Secure cargo so it cannot shift on a steep side slope, and keep the windshield, mirrors, and lights in good working order. For a narrow or technical route, a spotter can help the driver judge a tight passage, but the driver should be prepared to stop and turn around if the line does not look safe.
Carry basic recovery and repair supplies suited to your vehicle and the planned ride. At minimum, think about a tire repair kit, suitable inflation equipment, basic tools, water, and a way to contact your group if riders become separated. A map app such as onX Offroad may be useful for checking your general location, but do not count on a phone alone for navigation or emergencies. Before leaving the trailhead, tell someone where you plan to ride and when you expect to return.
Build a Better Side-by-Side Itinerary
Choose your home base and daily starting point
For many visitors, the most convenient trail system is the one that fits the whole trip. Gilbert may work well for riders focused on Rockhouse; Logan can be a practical base for Bearwallow; and Williamson, Matewan, Pineville, or Bramwell may suit plans centered on other systems. Think about the distance from your lodging to the trailhead, trailer parking, fuel access, and where the group will eat and rest—not only the trail mileage.
If your group wants to ride multiple areas, compare the time and effort required to move the machines between trailheads. A cross-system plan may sound exciting on paper but can leave little time for riding once loading, towing, parking, and route checks are included. Start with one system per day unless you have confirmed that the connection is allowed, appropriate for your machines, and manageable for your group.
onX Offroad can be one piece of the planning process when you are reviewing route layouts, but pair it with the official system information and local signs. Build in time for a slower-than-expected pace, particularly if the group includes new drivers or passengers who need frequent breaks. This is one of those trips where a modest itinerary often feels more satisfying than a packed schedule that turns every stop into a race.
Make the first ride a test, not a challenge
If this is your first visit to a West Virginia trail system, use the opening ride to learn how the machine and group handle local conditions. Choose a route within the permitted access for your vehicle, agree on who leads and who rides last, and stop at safe locations to regroup. Talk through simple signals for slowing down, stopping, or turning back before anyone drives onto the trail.
Pay attention to how passengers respond. A route that feels easy from the driver’s seat may be tiring for someone in the back, especially over repeated bumps or on steep grades. If a passenger is uncomfortable, adjust the plan rather than treating it as a test of toughness. The goal is a good day out, not checking off the hardest trail on the map.
When the ride is over, take a few minutes to review what worked. Note the route, surface, weather, and any spots that felt too narrow or demanding for your UTV. That information makes the next day’s decision easier. You may discover that a different trail system, a shorter loop, or a smaller group is the better fit—and that is useful planning, not a failed ride.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
