Hopefully someone here can help. My wife has about 1 hour riding experience on her quad.
We are planning an ATV trip for about 3 days of riding. Should we go to Hatfield-McCoy in WV
or Wayne National Forest in Ohio?
I need some nice smooth terrain for her to ride on so she will enjoy her first trip out on the quad.
Also when you name one place or the other for us to go please mention which section of the
trail system would be good.
Thanks for helping another ATV'er getting involved!

 

Go to Wayne. There are several riding areas in the forest, go to the area at Nelsonville. Start at the New Straitsville Trail Head and ride the loop. It is a good confidence builder. After she is bored with that, relocate to the P5 trailhead in the Dorr Run area. There are some more challenging trails there but still not too bad.

You will get a trail map when you purchase your permits that will show where these areas are.

I would not take her to H/M. Just was there last week. The Rockhouse trailhead in Man, VA leads to some nice green trails but the climb out of the parking lot will probably scare her.

Same with the Waterways trail system there. There are some nice easy trails on top of the mountain but the climb up from the parking lot will get a new rider's attention - especially if it is wet.

Wayne gets crowed on the weekends so mid week would be better.

Good luck

 

We've ridden both - I agree with RVer - take her to Wayne first. The most difficult trails at WNF are like some of the green trails at H/M!! They have changed a lot of the green at H/M though, I think they're trying to make some of it more novice friendly. We noticed the last time we were down that they had made a lot of the green out of haul roads and fire roads. The thing is on the green down there is, most of the trail is pretty easy, but because of the natural terrain, there are spots on each trail that will get your attention. We went by ourselves the first time and it was tough for me (as a new rider) The 2nd time we hired a guide, and it was sooo much nicer. He could take me around stuff that was too difficult for me, an extra set of hands for spotting, he knew what WE wanted to ride and tailored the ride to that. The guys were Todd Nenni and Jeff Hatfield of Outback ATV in Matewan WV. They were well worth the money - we've hired them a few times since to take us on off system stuff. At H/M you can ride your quads everywhere you need to go (in the towns of Gilbert, Man, Matewan, Delbarton) - gas, food, lodging - you don't need your car once you're there. It is a blast. The people down there really cater to the ATVer. There's no place like it. Back to WNF - they have been working on the trails there and they're pretty nice right now. They aren't marked as nice as H/M is, but there is always people around if you loose your way! They're both fun, but once you've been to H/M you'll be really spoiled. (Mrs. Q)

 

you might want to also look into the ANF in North West PA. The allegheny national forest outside of marienville PA is very good riding and the trails are nicely groomed for a beginner. If I were taking my wife out (she has never ridden) I would take her there. The marienville Trail and the Timberline trail are about 70 miles combined and there are 4-5 more trails in the same area.

Just stay away from the "bike" trail. its a nasty one.

 

I gotta agree with 007warrior. Marienville is where I'll be taking my wife her first time. The Timberline trail is real nice for a beginner too. There are scenic spots and play areas off of the trails. If Wayne's is crowded, she won't like it. I haven't been there in a while, but some of the trails were in poor condition. ANF maintains there trails.

 

I didn't eventhink of ANF - we were there in June. I have pics posted here pics (hope the link works) There's an Allegheny folder there. Timberline would be great - don't go to Rocky Gap - there's some tough stuff there! Matter of fact, there's pics from H/M and Windrock there too. (Mrs. Q)

 

I've ridden Allegheny National Forest and didn't see too much open dirt roads or flat trails. That is why I was thinking Wayne National Forest would be better. I can't really say because I haven't been to Wayne or Hatfield. I'm just going by what I've read on the internet. Maybe the way to go is the Allegheny. Tell me what you think.
Hey Warrior007 are you a baker like me?

 

No, but I do eat alot!

Depends what part of ANF you went to I guess. The Marienville ATV trail is the most diverse of the trails I would call it intermediate/beginner only because of the one hillclimb on the timberline side, the rest of it has some open spots and some twisties but nothing a novice shouldnt be able to handle. I consider the Timberline trail very open with alot of it being Pipeline roads and Fire brakes. I would start out on the timberline and see how she is then progress onto the marienville ATV trail. I have been to majestic trails but they are about an hour or so from marienville, you might wanna check that out too. www.majestictrails.com

 

Sounds like you should have your wife get a little "seat time" in, before travelling so far away. Marrienville sounds good. Are there any private ATV parks to take her around in your area?

 

The only private atv parks around here are in Pa. They are motocross tracks though.
New Jersey is the worst state in the USA when it comes to offroading. There is not even 1 mile of
offroad trails that you are allowed to use.