1-800-592-2217 jlusk @ trailsheaven . com
P . O . Box 146 , Man , WV , 25635 trailsheaven . com
A Successful Reopening and Continued Growth
The Hatfield McCoy Trail System in Southern West Virginia has been open and growing the tourism economy of the region for more than 20 years . The trail system provides an outdoor recreational venue for ATVs , UTVs and off-road motorcycles such as dirt bikes .
The year 2020 was supposed to be one of celebration for the trail system . As the 20-year anniversary of its opening , it was highly anticipated to be another record year of growth . Ridership was up more than 12 % by the end of February 2020 , and all indications pointed to a record spring turnout on the trails .
However , in March 2020 , the trail system was closed indefinitely . The system , along with its 65 lodging providers , eight ATV outfitters and numerous restaurants and small businesses , could only wait and pray that the closure was temporary .
In May 2020 , the governor ’ s reopening order , as part of his West Virginia Strong plan , outlined procedures to not only protect trail riders but to protect communities from potential spread of the virus , as tourists returned to Southern West Virginia to ride the trails .
The trail system had to work out the logistics of how to educate communities , customers and vendors about the rules that must be followed as part of the reopening . The trail system had , during its 62-day shutdown , lost nearly $ 1 million in permit sales revenue alone , not to mention the impact to the communities and businesses that depended on trail riders ’ spending to keep them going .
The reopening could not have gone any smoother , and the ridership on the trails exceeded expectations . The next seven months would be unlike any the trail system has experienced , not only recovering all the permit sales revenue lost during the shutdown but growing its permit sales by more than 15 %.
The reason for the successful reopening is simple : families from throughout the country , looking for a safe place to vacation , have found West Virginia and the Hatfield McCoy Trail System . A nationwide emphasis on social distancing and getting outside has put the trail system , with its 1 million acres of property and nearly 900-plus miles of trails , on the map as a perfect location to social distance . The reopening plan has allowed the trail system to operate in a safe manner , and communities have enjoyed tourism revenue while keeping safe .
New ridership on the trails has driven much of this growth , as people turn to the outdoors for recreation . The trail system believes these customers will be a permanent addition to the tourism economy in Southern West Virginia . The outdoor economy of the region is growing , as the pandemic , for all its outcomes , has pushed families to look outside for things to do , and the Hatfield McCoy Trail System , along with multiple other outdoor venues in West Virginia , has provided a great solution .
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