4 best mountain 4×4 trails

West Virginia has some of the best off-roading terrain on the East Coast.

Whether you’re looking for mild or wild, there’s a perfect trail for you here:

1. Make a weekend of it at Chaos Offroad Park

Chaos Offroad Park in Capon Bridge is described as a “skate park for 4x4s.” Bring your stock 4WD, rock bouncer or anything in between for a family-friendly weekend. Challenge yourself with hill climbs, ledges and (if you’re up for it) giant boulders.

There’s plenty of fun off the trails too, like driving courses and the infamous teeter totter (Yeah, you get to balance your rig on a giant teeter totter). When you’re ready for some rest, enjoy a bonfire or some lawn darts. Make a weekend of it and pitch a tent!

Be sure to check the schedule. The park is open on Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend.

2. Learn the ropes with Off Road Adventures at The Greenbrier

Don’t have your Jeep? Never driven off road? Perfect!

When you go offroading with Off Road Adventures at The Greenbrier, they’ll supply the Rubicon and a ready-to-rock guide. They’ll teach you (and up to 2 friends) how to traverse creek crossings, mud holes, hill climbs and more at the resort’s private 10,000 acre mountain preserve—one of the nationally recognized Jeep Jamboree locations.

Before you know it, you’ll be riding with the best of them on some of the wildest terrain on the East Coast.

3. Explore Southern West Virginia on the Bearwallow system

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is a sprawling spider web of off-road heaven in Southern West Virginia. There are several trail systems to choose from but only Bearwallow is open to 4×4’s. With ratings from green to double black diamond, you’ll find everything from a leisurely trail ride to more technical rock crawling.

Many of the trails are connected to communities. Bearwallow has direct access to the town of Logan. Pop off the trail and get to know some of southern West Virginia’s charming small towns.

4. Experience Snowshoe with an off-road adventure tour

Jump into a 4-seat, enclosed, and heated Polaris RZRs and experience the thrill of driving the ultimate off-road machine. The ride includes a sampling of some of Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s best backcountry areas. You’ll explore the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail and wind your way down to the Fire Tower Trail. This is the perfect wintertime activity as you navigate through the freshly fallen snow.

Guided tours last about an hour and are offered Thursday – Sunday.

Before you go wheeling on these amazing mountain trails, make sure you understand all the trail signage.

And help us keep this mountain wilderness just as awesome for everyone else. While you’re on the trail, tread lightly: stay on marked trails and leave no leave no trace (pack it in and pack it out).

And, in true West Virginia fashion, always be respectful of other riders on the trail. Don’t knock up dust on your neighbors, and stop to help if anyone seems stuck.

Which trails will you take on?

Find more mountain fun >

This post was last updated on October 7, 2021