ATV Resort Planning along the Hatfield-McCoy Trail
Located in McDowell County, West Virginia, Ashland ATV Resort is the largest campground along the Hatfield McCoy Trail System, which offers over 700 miles (and growing) of ATV trails and generates an estimated annual economic impact of over $3.3 million.
To meet growing demand, DbD led site master planning efforts for an expansion at Ashland Resort to include a new general store, playground, and other guest support facilities. The Thrasher Group is providing civil engineering services for the project, which is part of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation (AML) program.
Premier ATV Trails of Southern West Virginia
Ashland Resort is conveniently located within the Hatfield McCoy trail system, which is home to some of the best ATV trails in West Virginia. The resort serves as an ideal lodging location for the thousands of annual visitors that visit the trail system. As the Hatfield McCoy trails expanded in size and popularity over the past two decades, Ashland Resort saw the need to expand and upgrade its facilities.
Turning the Page on Abandoned Mine Lands
West Virginia’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation was created in 1981 to manage the reclamation of lands and waters affected by mining. The reclamation program, which is funded by a fee placed on coal, works to protect public health, safety, and property and restore the state’s natural assets by rehabilitating abandoned mine sites.
As a significant regional tourism asset, the Ashland Resort expansion was a prime candidate for this program, especially as Southern West Virginia strengthens its tourism economy. The project was able to leverage over $2,000,000 in private investment to match the AML grant funding.
Establishing a Vision
A vision for the new site needed to provide additional programming opportunities alongside additional ATV facilities. A natural and built environment analysis revealed the opportunities and constraints for facility development. Two draft site plans were then presented to project stakeholders for review, including restaurant and beer garden concepts as well as a stage, plaza, company store, playground, parking, and ATV wash stations.
Final Plan
The final plan provides a new 5,000-sq.-ft. Company Store facility, playground, stage, outdoor dining, ATV wash station, creek overlooks, parking, and additional trails. The plan provides the resort with additional programming and retail opportunities while giving consideration to traffic flow and allowing for a new package plant and gas pumps.
