Hatfield-McCoy Trails • Southern West Virginia
Big Coal River Trail System Guide
A roughly 50-mile Boone County trail system in the historic Peytona area, with current official difficulty data and a trailhead to verify before you ride.
Home › Trail-System Guides › Big Coal River Trail System
Big Coal River is an official Hatfield-McCoy trail system in the Peytona area of Boone County, West Virginia. The current official page describes roughly 50 miles of riding, a 2+ acre unstaffed trailhead, and access for ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. Official Hatfield-McCoy sources currently conflict on full-size ORV/Jeep use at Big Coal River. Confirm directly with Hatfield-McCoy Trails and follow the current official map and posted signage before bringing a full-size vehicle. Difficulty percentages and operating details can change, so compare every plan with the current official map and rules.
On this page
Big Coal River at a Glance
- Official size: Approximately 50 miles.
- Difficulty mix: 42% easiest, 40% more difficult, 14% most difficult, 2% most difficult, and 2% single-track.
- Machine access: ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes are supported. Full-size ORV/Jeep status is conflicting in current official Hatfield-McCoy sources; confirm directly with Hatfield-McCoy Trails, the current official map, and posted signage before bringing a full-size vehicle.
- Trailhead: 2+ acre parking lot in the Peytona area; unstaffed.
- Permits and merchandise: Available at the Hatfield-McCoy Welcome Center, 28 Big Pinnacle Branch Road, Julian, WV 25529.
Trail-System Overview
Big Coal River opened in 2025 in the historic Peytona area of Boone County. The official Hatfield-McCoy page describes the system as roughly 50 miles and places the trailhead in the Peytona area, about twenty minutes from U.S. 119. The official page identifies ATV, UTV, and dirt-bike riding. Official Hatfield-McCoy sources currently conflict on full-size ORV/Jeep use at Big Coal River. Confirm directly with Hatfield-McCoy Trails and follow the current official map and posted signage before bringing a full-size vehicle. Use the current official map for route details, closures, and permitted machine information.
Difficulty Mix
The official source currently repeats “Most Difficult” for the 14% and 2% categories. This guide preserves those labels without inferring another category name.
Easiest — 42%
The largest official category is the sensible starting point for new visitors, but mountain trails can still include grades, loose surfaces, blind corners, and weather damage.
More Difficult — 40%
Plan for more demanding climbs, rougher surfaces, and changing traction. Check the current map before building a loop.
Most Difficult — 14%
Use stronger judgment, suitable equipment, and a clear bailout plan. Do not treat a marked difficulty percentage as a guarantee of current conditions.
Most Difficult — 2%
These routes require advanced skill, conservative decisions, and current condition checks. They should not be used as an assumed shortcut.
Single-track — 2%
Single-track mileage is not side-by-side mileage. Follow current machine restrictions and posted signs.
Terrain and Riding Character
- Mountain setting: The official announcement emphasizes scenic views in the Peytona area.
- Surface and grades: Exact current surface detail is not stated in the official page reviewed. Expect conditions to vary with weather and maintenance.
- Trip character: Use the official map, posted signs, and current notices rather than assuming every route has the same difficulty or surface.
Best Rider Fit
Big Coal River fits riders who are willing to check a newer system’s current map, rules, closures, fuel plan, and support information before departure. The official difficulty mix offers a broad range, but the right route depends on the group’s skill, machine class, weather, and current trail conditions.
Machine Trip Notes
Eligibility status: SxS/UTV — Supported; ATV — Supported; Dirt bike — Supported; Full-size ORV/Jeep — Conflicting.
Official Hatfield-McCoy sources currently conflict on full-size ORV/Jeep use at Big Coal River. Confirm directly with Hatfield-McCoy Trails and follow the current official map and posted signage before bringing a full-size vehicle.
Official information publishes 2% single-track. Do not treat that mileage as SxS mileage or turn a system total into a machine range requirement.
- Plan the actual configured machine, passengers, fuel, cargo, and recovery approach for the day.
- Use current route information rather than inferring tire, clearance, horsepower, or recovery requirements from difficulty percentages.
- Recheck closures, direction, vehicle restrictions, and posted signs before departure.
Source: Hatfield-McCoy Trails official Big Coal River information and current map; verify before departure.
Trailhead and Access
The current official page reports a 2+ acre parking lot in the Peytona area and identifies the trailhead as unstaffed. Permits and merchandise are available at the Hatfield-McCoy Trails Welcome Center at 28 Big Pinnacle Branch Road, Julian, WV 25529. Verify the current approach, hours, closures, and permit instructions before departure.
Nearby Towns and Lodging Areas
Peytona and Julian are the key planning references in the current official information. Use the Hatfield-McCoy lodging directory as a starting point, then confirm current location, capacity, parking, and trail relationship directly before booking. No individual lodging relationship is asserted here without a verified page-specific match.
Connected Systems and Legal Road Links
No official source reviewed for this draft confirms a connection to another Hatfield-McCoy system or a legal public-road link. Do not plan a cross-system or road-based route until the current official map, posted signs, and applicable rules specifically confirm it.
Map-Based Ride-Planning Ideas
Start with the official map
Mark the current trailhead, route colors, machine restrictions, closures, and emergency information before leaving.
Build conservatively
Start with a shorter route and expand only after checking fuel, daylight, weather, group skill, and turnaround options.
Carry an offline plan
Keep a printed or offline map and share the planned route and expected return time with someone at home.
Rules and Safety
- Carry the required Hatfield-McCoy permit and follow current posted rules.
- Stay on marked legal routes; never infer road legality from a map line or social post.
- Follow current helmet, speed, sound, alcohol, operating-hour, and closure rules.
- Ride for changing weather and leave room for emergency response, recovery, and another group.
- Check the official site immediately before travel because conditions and operating details can change.
Before You Ride
- Open the current official Big Coal River page and download the newest map.
- Confirm your machine class, permit, protective equipment, and route restrictions.
- Verify the Peytona trailhead approach and the Julian Welcome Center details.
- Check weather, closures, fuel range, daylight, and recovery plans.
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
Next step: Review the official Big Coal River page, then compare nearby trail-ready lodging before locking in the trip.
Sources and Last Verified
Last verified: August 5, 2026. Primary trail data: Hatfield-McCoy Trails — Big Coal River. Map reference: official trail maps. Opening and location context: West Virginia Press Association release. Additional reporting: WV MetroNews and WSAZ. Conditions, rules, route access, and business details can change; confirm them before travel.