Exploring Wild Wonderful West Virginia by ATV

Statement

West Virginia's natural beauty is breath taking. From our rolling mountains and beautiful rivers to our lush forests and abundant wildlife, our state offers outdoor enthusiasts spectacular opportunities for adventure. For many, there is no better way to explore West Virginia than from the seat of an all-terrain-vehicle, known to most as an ATV or 4-wheeler.

Tourists flock to West Virginia year after year to explore nature's wonders through our ever popular ATV trail systems. The Burning Rock Development in Raleigh County and the Hatfield-McCoy trail that travels through many of our southern counties are growing in popularity. Plans are already underway to expand the Hatfield-McCoy trail from the current five counties into three additional counties.

The economic growth of areas surrounding ATV trails has been encouraging with many businesses opening as residents and entrepreneurs welcome ATV riders. According to the Division of Tourism, ATV enthusiasts travel from approximately forty states and several foreign countries each year to enjoy the ATV excursions in West Virginia. In 2008 alone, ATV enthusiasts contributed $359 million to our economy. As business continues to grow in trail areas, more is needed--especially lodging. With an increasing number of visitors during summer months and the growth of ATV tourism over the past eleven years, it is understandable why such need for lodging exists.

When visitors explore our grand mountains, they will often take a break from the physical excursion of ATV riding and enjoy the local culture. Whether through traditional festivals and museums, or merely a few hours of browsing through West Virginia's main street shops, the experiences our visitors have often lead them to plan another trip. The booking of adventurous vacations year after year is a tribute to all West Virginians. Our friendly people and family-oriented way of living provides a warm welcome to all visitors.

Whether you're exploring some of West Virginia's finest trails or navigating your own land, it is important look out for one another. That is why strict rules are enforced for riders of all ages. While ATV's are fun, precautions must be taken to ensure a safe experience. It is extremely important to adhere to proper care, maintenance, and operational guidelines of ATV's.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation and the Governor's Highway Safety Program's ATV Safety Awareness Program offer important, and simple to follow tips. For example, to maintain control of your ATV, make sure your thumb reaches the emergency (kill) switch and the first joint of you middle finger should extend past the brake lever. These tips and more can be found at www.atvsafety.org.

This season, as you prepare to ride your ATV down mountainous trails and enjoy the vistas and views West Virginia has to offer, make sure safety comes first. Share the trail with your neighbors and visitors for they are helping diversify our economy and expand our hometowns one adventurous excursion at a time.

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