Midwest Trail Blazers

06/15/2026

Where’s Waldo this week?!?! A few members headed to Death Rock, Williamson, WV - Almost Heaven Swing on Hatfield & McCoy Trails.

06/11/2026

JUNE MEETING CANCELLATION:

Due to Mother Nature’s rath last night Gusto's will not be open today. Additionally, due to board member availability we need to cancel the June meeting.

Our next meeting on July 9th at 6:30 at Gusto’s.

We apologize for the short notice on tonight’s cancellation. If you have anything that needs discussed or any concerns please email the board at [email protected].

See you all July 9th!!!

06/11/2026

West Virginia turned coal’s leftovers into a money machine.

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails began in October 2000 with about 300 miles of riding routes across southern coal country.

Many of those routes followed the old economy: mine roads, logging roads, private timberland and scarred industrial ground that no longer carried the same payroll.

Instead of letting those corridors rot, the state gave them a second job.

Today, the system offers more than 1,200 miles across 13 trail systems, open year-round to ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes.

One permit can move riders through mountain towns where gas stations, cabins, repair shops, restaurants and outfitters feed off traffic that didn’t exist before.

The numbers show why the idea worked.

A Marshall University economic study estimated the Hatfield-McCoy Trails generated more than $68 million in total economic output in 2021.

That activity supported about 665 full-time-equivalent jobs statewide and produced roughly $27 million in labor income.

Non-local visitor spending alone was estimated to add more than $2.2 million in fiscal benefit for West Virginia.

By 2020, the trail authority sold nearly 65,000 permits, up 43% in five years.

Even more important, about 85% of riders came from outside West Virginia.

That means outside money came into counties that had watched coal employment shrink, storefronts thin out and young people leave.

No trail system can replace what coal once paid.

But Hatfield-McCoy proved something clever.

A dead mine road can still make money, if someone has the sense to point visitors toward it.

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06/01/2026

We have a House Resolution!!!! This is a huge step in the right direction for supporting a bill for UTV on Illinois Roads. HR955 (we are waiting on it to be read) encourages state agencies, local communities, and outdoor recreation stakeholders to work together to expand and promote off-highway vehicle tourism opportunities while supporting responsible outdoor recreation and economic growth.

We need to raise funds for a bill for next session, please go to https://landoflincolnutv.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=1075173

05/28/2026

New Wisconsin ATV / UTV Laws going into effect.

05/25/2026

05/16/2026

All day FUN and giving back!

05/10/2026

Hey Moms - Today’s your Day!!!! Fire up those side by sides and hit the trail!!

05/08/2026

Woah boy! If you’re seeing this image floating around social media, it’s fake and misleading.

While some counties may choose to close trails due to fire danger, those decisions are made locally on a county-by-county basis. It’s important to check official local sources before sharing posts like this online.

If you’re planning a ride, always check with the appropriate local, county, state, or federal agency before heading out.

Some trails are still closed due to spring thaw conditions. Others are already open.

For example, Burnett County currently states on its official website:

“We are currently in our spring fire season. During this time, all trails are closed due to the risk of fire, and many trails are too wet to support ATV/UTV traffic, causing excessive damage. If conditions allow, our Summer ATV/UTV Trail System will open the Friday before Memorial Day (May 22).”

That information comes directly from the county’s official .gov website.

There may absolutely be additional closures around the state, but not every county shown in orange on this graphic is closed. The best way to verify trail status is by checking official county sources directly.

Now let’s talk fire safety for a minute.

Lt. Jake Holsclaw, Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator and Conservation Warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, states:

“In most cases, trails are opened and closed based on seasonal recommendations by each county. Some counties may elect to close a trail based on fire conditions. In the event of an actual wildfire, emergency services may close a section of trail as well. Remember all ATVs and UTVs have to have USFS-approved spark arresters before operating on a trail or route.”

Want to learn how to stay safe during high fire danger?

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/ForestFire